Ryanair chargeback reversal

Lissagriffin

I had flights booked with Ryanair in April, but these were cancelled by the airline a couple of weeks before we were due to travel. They sent me their standard flight cancellation email at the time, which offered me either a refund, which they said would be paid within 20 days, or rebooking on alternative flights. I replied opting for the refund. Before the 20 days were up, I started getting emails 'offering' me a voucher. I responded turning down the offer. After 20 days had gone by and still having no refund, I asked my credit provider (American Express) to make a chargeback. I supplied documentary information to support my claim, including Ryanair's commitment to refund within 20 days. On 5 May the chargeback credit appeared on my Amex account. I thought that was the end of the tale, as Ryanair surely had no grounds to challenge the chargeback. They owed me the money after all and should have paid it by the deadline they gave me.

But my most recent Amex statement includes a debit on 3 August which reverses the chargeback. I called Amex customer service and they have re-opened the dispute and reinstated the chargeback. It seems Ryanair's position that they are representing to Amex is that they have provided me with a voucher instead of a cash refund. As has been said on other threads, the so-called voucher is no more than a ruse to delay or head off having to make cash refunds. Contractually, Ryanair owed me the money.

I rather feel I am at the start of a game of chargeback ping-pong. I did not want the voucher then, and I don't want it now. I have no intention of flying anywhere for the foreseeable future. Who is going to rein Ryanair in?