Overseas Internal Flights Refund Refused

jatinmistry_uk

My family and I were due to travel to USA on 4th of July.  I booked International return flight with Travel UP and USA internal flight with OPODO.

Now as we all aware the international flights (Virgin) has been cancelled and travel agent will be doing refund, minus admin charge. 

I will not be able to travel from New York to Florida return since my international flights have been cancelled. There are also travel restrictions in place.  The travel agent however refusing to refund cash and only offering voucher claim that's what the airline offering.

Since we will not be able to travel to USA within a year don't want the voucher but can I force them to refund cash? Have I got any rights since these are internal USA flights and it shows will be operating as normal? Also, I paid by credit card and so if travel agent not refunding can I claim through them?

Caz3121

As these were booked as standalone (rather than a package) unless the flights are cancelled there is no requirement for a refund from the airline (Opodo gave your money to the airline and will only be able to pass on what they get back) You can check on the airline website what they are offering for non-cancelled flights....likely to be reschedule or voucher.
Credit card unlikely to work as that is when the service you purchased is not being provided - as the flights are operating that claim should fail.
Travel insurance maybe - need to check the policy and whether excess makes it worth claiming.

jatinmistry_uk

Just bit of update - OPODO infact only offering voucher valid for a year.  Claims that's what they have received from the airlines.  I did go through my travel insurance but they have refused my claim on the basis of alternative has been offerred.  They will only entertain if no cash refund and no alternatives.
we are not travelling to USA within a year so looks like that's gone now........

bagand96

Who was the airline?  You could double check their website to see their policy and ensure what Opodo are telling you is correct.  That said, I'm sure it is,  US airlines are offering to move domestic flights or provide travel credit, but I don't think they are refunding.  Caz is correct, they don't have to refund you, the contract with them is for a domestic US flight, it's not their fault you can't use it.

Might be worth also raising a complaint with your travel insurance regarding their lack of refund.

Marmaduke123

We've also lost money on an internal flight in Canada. At least the Air Canada voucher is open ended - perhaps you could try for an open ended voucher rather than a time limited one? We haven't been lucky enough to get a refund on our transatlantic flights, booked direct with Air Transat. They have given us vouchers which we have rejected, now waiting to hear about our claim for a chargeback from our credit card company. Quite an expensive non-holiday so far!

harsh_but_fair

i was due to fly lhr to van and a separately booked internal flight with air canada.

when ac cancelled the internal flight did a cc chargeback showing their cancellation email and got full refund.

accepted ac vouchers for the lhr return flight as i shall be rebooking.

jatinmistry_uk

bagand96 said:

Who was the airline?  You could double check their website to see their policy and ensure what Opodo are telling you is correct.  That said, I'm sure it is,  US airlines are offering to move domestic flights or provide travel credit, but I don't think they are refunding.  Caz is correct, they don't have to refund you, the contract with them is for a domestic US flight, it's not their fault you can't use it.

Might be worth also raising a complaint with your travel insurance regarding their lack of refund.

Internal flight was with DELTA and confused with info on their web-site.  I think it says for ticket purchased from 1 March 20 and 30 Jul 20 as well as traveling through 30 Sep 20 can amend without fees.  No mention of option prior to 1 Mar 20 as booked mine in Jan 20.  I think  I will e-mail them for clarification as I cannot even now see my booking using the reference number so not sure if OPODO have cancelled it.

I thought same of insurance as FCO guidance against travel was and is present and hence we could not travel (flights not operating too).  So in this case surely regardless what airline is offering if I do not accept the voucher then surely should be able to get cash refund from them?  My access is £50 and flight ticket was £239.

bagand96

jatinmistry_uk said:

I thought same of insurance as FCO guidance against travel was and is present and hence we could not travel (flights not operating too).  So in this case surely regardless what airline is offering if I do not accept the voucher then surely should be able to get cash refund from them?  My access is £50 and flight ticket was £239.

That's not the case I'm afraid. You booked an internal flight USA-USA.  If that flight is going ahead then there's no refund due. It's not Delta's fault you can't travel to the USA in the first place. 

jatinmistry_uk

There is a twist now in this.

Our inernal flights are for 11/7 so just checked and they have been cancelled by the airline.  So I contacted OPODO (travel agent) who are still refusing to refund the money and claims only option is rebooking as that's what they have been offered by the airline.  I refused to take the voucher and requested cash refund but still being denied and been told that there are no other choices but rebooking voucher option valid until May 2021.  I will not be issued with the rebooking voucher but will have to contact them and they will see if possible or not and if needs to pay the difference.  I asked to escalate but being refused and been told there is no complaint procedure for this!

I thought that I can refused the voucher offered and can claim the cash providing flights are cancelled by the airline and not me?  Can I go through my credit card (american express) for refund?  Just to confirm, I did speak to the insurance (Nationwide Flexplus) who have advised me claim will not be successful since I have been offered the voucher.

macman

Oh dear, so much misinformation being given to you.  Yes, if they cancel, you are entitled to a refund in 14 days upon request. Put your request in writing, and, if you have been refused, start a chargeback on Amex. Not an S75.
You need to exhaust both those routes before any insurer will consider your claim. Nationwide are talking complete nonsense: there is no obligation to accept a voucher, and they are simply trying to pass the buck like everyone else,

sheramber

https://www.foxnews.com/travel/coronavirus-cancellations-delta-air-lines-lawsuit-class-action-refunds