South African Airways - Cancelled flights

RussKaye

Hi
I had booked flights for myself and two friends to South Africa.
These included both international flights (London to Johannesburg) and internal flights (Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth) and pre-paid seats on international flights
We were due to fly on 11th May 2020
I have had no email, telephone call, or letter to inform me my flights were cancelled. In April, I tried to call customer services, but all I got was a recorded message saying there was no staff in the offices, and vouchers would be issued for cancelled flights. It says to log on to website for more information. However, the website does not allow log on, just giving an error code. The same voicemail is still active. Attempt to email SAA result in the emails bouncing back, saying SAA mailbox is full.
Since Corona-19 pandemic, SAA have also announced that they are close to bankruptcy.
Rather than wait for a voucher, I would rather have my money back. This is due to my lack of confidence that SAA will even exist next year, let alone have flights suitable for my needs.
I paid for the flights, seat etc on my MNBA credit card.
Have I any legitimate course of action to recover my money, rather than wait for SAA to go bankrupt or issue some kind of voucher?
Russ

cazza0104

I am in the same situation with Airlink flights from Joburg to Madagascar which were purchased via SAA last summer. Airlink have separated from SAA now and aren’t honouring flights bought before Dec 6th. I heard nothing either. If it wasn’t for Covid we would have arrived at the airport completely unaware our tickets were no longer valid. I have contacted SAA and the administrator and heard nothing, 
Have you had any luck with MBNA? 

Life__Goes__On

Raise a "Chargeback" against the transaction stating non-supply of service, (using proof of cancellation) also state that you have/will rejected any vouchers that you are entitled to do under English law (even if you haven't been offered any)
Normally with a Chargeback the money is returned once it’s processed

The SAA can dispute the Chargeback, but it must supply evidence to the card company.

If the SAA is successful,  then the Chargeback is reversed and the money taken back from your account

If that fails then it's a Section 75 on the credit card.

RussKaye

cazza0104 said:

I am in the same situation with Airlink flights from Joburg to Madagascar which were purchased via SAA last summer. Airlink have separated from SAA now and aren’t honouring flights bought before Dec 6th. I heard nothing either. If it wasn’t for Covid we would have arrived at the airport completely unaware our tickets were no longer valid. I have contacted SAA and the administrator and heard nothing, 
Have you had any luck with MBNA? 

Yes, it is very disappointing that SAA havn't had any communications at all with us.
Our internal flight was to be SAA, but they cancelled that and rebooked us with Airlink. Two weeks later, they stopped all flights
I am going to contact MNBA today

RussKaye

Life__Goes__On said:

Raise a "Chargeback" against the transaction stating non-supply of service, (using proof of cancellation) also state that you have/will rejected any vouchers that you are entitled to do under English law (even if you haven't been offered any)
Normally with a Chargeback the money is returned once it’s processed

The SAA can dispute the Chargeback, but it must supply evidence to the card company.

If the SAA is successful,  then the Chargeback is reversed and the money taken back from your account

If that fails then it's a Section 75 on the credit card.

Thank you, I will look in to the Chargeback 

BWILKES

Hi
Looking for some advice - I was due to fly to South Africa on 10-9-20 - obviously my flights have been cancelled due to the lockdown in South Africa - I contacted my tour operator for a refund on my flight tickets and SAA have changed their refund policy to only issue vouchers - I brought my tickets last December with airline failure insurance.  The tour operator has been advised me the voucher is valid until March 2022 but I am not interested in a voucher as SAA are already struggling and apart from that their ticket prices have shot up for travel next year to more than double I paid - can anyone advice me 

Caz3121

was this a package or a flight-only purchase? who are the tour operator?