Flight refund rejected

gingirls

Claimed on Nationwide travel insurance as we (Not airline) had to cancel family flights to NYC due to FCO advice. This took years to arrange and save for so unlikely to be able to organise again.
United airlines refused refund but offered credit note 

Any suggestions on next steps would be appreciated and/or likelihood of credit card claim?

Response from Nationwide as follows:

[Deleted User]

The credit note is going to be the best you'll get, given the circumstances of the cancellation.

gingirls

Hope you’re wrong but suspect you’re right. If United airlines don’t make it through the next year, I’ll be left with Monopoly money. Doubt flights will cost the same if do survive.

Life__Goes__On

You can complain against the insurance companies decision.

Might not work, but you can say you can't take vouchers as you would no long be insured for COVID-19

Life__Goes__On

manetti said:

As you say, try your credit card company next.

On what grounds? 

Westin

Life__Goes__On said:

manetti said:

As you say, try your credit card company next.

On what grounds? 

No grounds. I can’t see any reason for a S75 or charge back.

I would agree with zx81 as it seems do your travel insurers.

Life__Goes__On

I was wondering if I missed any grounds, as if there is a breach, it's from the OP

Streaky_Bacon

What dates were the flights booked for? How exactly did you cancel the flight? What did you say and/or do? What did they say and/or do? Try to be specific as possible.

This is not a "normal" cancellation. Firstly they probably couldn't carry you even if you had tried to fly, and you simply decided not to try to fly because it is against FCO advice (not to mention that non US nationals aren't allowed to enter the US), and notified them of that.

It is certainly still possible that a chargeback and perhaps a s75 clam is possible but it is admittedly bit more complicated, and depends upon the specifics.

With regards to the insurance, they are not declining on the issue of "cancellation", rather that they have offered you a credit note. Check through the insurance T&Cs to see if they support refusing a claim on that basis.

manetti

Westin said:

Life__Goes__On said:

manetti said:

As you say, try your credit card company next.

On what grounds? 

No grounds. I can’t see any reason for a S75 or charge back.

I would agree with zx81 as it seems do your travel insurers.

My apologies, I misread the original post. Comment deleted to avoid confusion.

gingirls

Flights were booked in January With about two weeks before we were due to fly (26th March) United confirmed flight was still scheduled. We confirmed that due to FCO advice and US restrictions we could no longer travel.
Insurance claims handler rang today to confirm claim refused solely on the credit note offered (the fact WE cancelled on FCO advice was irrelevant)

Streaky_Bacon

I would commence a chargeback and a s75. State that the airline was unable to carry you due to the restrictions that were in place, both FCO advice and the fact that the US was denying entry, and so you contacted them to confirm that you would not be attempting to board and required a refund. Whether you technically "cancelled" or whether you contacted them to explain that you could not travel due to the restrictions, and whether that would change your entitlement would ultimately be a judgment to be made by the financial ombudsman and/or the courts.

Raise a complaint with your insurer and ask them to explain exactly how the terms of the insurance allow them to deny your claim for a cash refund, simply because the airline have offered a credit note. Ask them to refer to the specific terms they are relying on to deny your claim, and any evidence they have to support their denial of the claim. Consider using the Resolver website but, if not, make sure that everything is in writing.