Can I use chargeback for third party flight bookings?

jungle_jeff

Evening! I'm sure this will have been asked before but I can't find a specific thread so will ask here and hope someone can help!
I had a return flight to the USA cancelled back in early April. The flight was with Aer Lingus but was booked via a screenscraper site (I think it actually ended up being booked via a UK based travel agent). I've been told i'll get a refund but have waited and waited and waited...Can I try and execute a chargeback via my bank or do I have to wait in this case as it's not direct wit the airline?

Also, along the same lines, I had a return flight with Ryanair booked last month also cancelled. This was booked via Kiwi.com. Again everything is very quiet on the refund front and reading about some of the efforts some people have to make to get their cash back from Ryanair, again can I initiate a chargeback here?

Any advice appreciated!

Life__Goes__On

Chargeback are fine even with 3rd parties travel agent
https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/faqs-chargeback-rights-and-section-75-and-coronavirus
"For chargeback rights, it does not matter if you book via a travel agent or directly with the service provider.  If you fail to get what you paid for, it is likely you will be able to claim using chargeback."

Nebulous2

While a chargeback could work, it may not, and it may not be any quicker than waiting it out with the airline. 

There probably isn't any harm in trying one. If the airline suddenly finds the cash and sends it to you, you could always cancel the chargeback.

Browntoa

And chargeback can be reversed if they successfully appeal 

HelloB

I had success with triggering a chargeback process.  This is my journey.

Paid via Travel Trolley (having used Skyscanner's link for the best price) for a return flight in April 2020 with Malaysian Airlines. From lock down in March to the beginning of April, I called almost daily for an update/refund to TT's customer service. Never managed to get through having been on hold over an hour each time using up all my free minutes. Spoke with Malaysian Airlines once they've cancelled the flights, who told me to contact my travel agent for a refund. Emailed Travel Trolley twice to ask for a refund, no human response. I also filled out a claim through my travel insurance, who told me to get in touch with the travel agent again then my credit card.

I had enough! I called Barclaycard to trigger a chargeback. I forwarded to Barclaycard my unanswered emails with Travel Trolley and filled in a paper form which Barclaycard sent to me (WFH and I have no printer, otherwise download the PDF and wet sign). Took a month then out of the blue Barclaycard and Travel Trolley called me the same day! Barclaycard said they will contact the travel agent to investigate why they have not fully refunded me. Then a few hours later, Travel Trolley called and asked me to confirm my name then said I have the option of taking a credit note (no thanks) or a  refund less an admin fee of £80 (I think).  I politely declined both offers and asked for a full refund. The TT agent got really angry with me, so I told them I've reached out to Barclaycard for a chargeback.  The tune changed immediately!  The TT agent then said they will refund the full amount to my method of payment in the next 7 working days.

7 working days later I checked my online account, lo and behold, I received the full amount. 

Good luck! 

Life__Goes__On

HelloB said:

I had success with triggering a chargeback process.  This is my journey.

Paid via Travel Trolley (having used Skyscanner's link for the best price) for a return flight in April 2020 with Malaysian Airlines. From lock down in March to the beginning of April, I called almost daily for an update/refund to TT's customer service. Never managed to get through having been on hold over an hour each time using up all my free minutes. Spoke with Malaysian Airlines once they've cancelled the flights, who told me to contact my travel agent for a refund. Emailed Travel Trolley twice to ask for a refund, no human response. I also filled out a claim through my travel insurance, who told me to get in touch with the travel agent again then my credit card.

I had enough! I called Barclaycard to trigger a chargeback. I forwarded to Barclaycard my unanswered emails with Travel Trolley and filled in a paper form which Barclaycard sent to me (WFH and I have no printer, otherwise download the PDF and wet sign). Took a month then out of the blue Barclaycard and Travel Trolley called me the same day! Barclaycard said they will contact the travel agent to investigate why they have not fully refunded me. Then a few hours later, Travel Trolley called and asked me to confirm my name then said I have the option of taking a credit note (no thanks) or a  refund less an admin fee of £80 (I think).  I politely declined both offers and asked for a full refund. The TT agent got really angry with me, so I told them I've reached out to Barclaycard for a chargeback.  The tune changed immediately!  The TT agent then said they will refund the full amount to my method of payment in the next 7 working days.

7 working days later I checked my online account, lo and behold, I received the full amount. 

Good luck! 

Glad raising a Chargeback worked for you

jungle_jeff

Thanks for the input guys. My story so far since the OP: I contacted HSBC via their online service chat. The guy said he'd do a chargeback for both trips. Then said he couldn't do one for the first charge as it was 122 days since i'd booked it. I explained it wasn't that length of time since the flight was cancelled but he wasn't interested. He said he'd complete the second chargeback for me then said it was too much for him to do online so I would have to speak to telephone banking. I rang telephone banking and after 1h53m on hold I gave up. I need to try HSBC again tomorrow. This is clearly going to be a long journey to get my cash back. 

I should add, I did enquire with my travel insurers about the second trip (I wouldn't have been covered for the first as the trip was outside Europe and I only had Europe cover) but they just said speak to the airline.

We continue....!

Life__Goes__On

Hopefully when you get though to someone they will actually know the rules, and it won't be too much bother for them!
Disgraceful customer service by  HSBC