Cancelled Flight Dilemma

Chris_McD

 Following an administrative error by a UK airline my flight was cancelled one week prior to departure. 

The company has offered to ‘reinstate’ the flights however my original departure date has passed. Could someone explain the term and would I be able to reinstate the flights for an alternative date next year?

bradders1983

Surely when they are offering to reinstate them then this would be for a future date, unless they have access to a time machine. Have you rang them up to speak to them about it? They may just offer you a refund instead given it was their error.

Chris_McD

Ha ha I wish! As I rolled the flights forward for 4 months re Coronavirus, when the error surfaced no one contacted me until several weeks later.  The actual cost of the initial flights was a lot less and really a bargain when transferred forward free of charge over the 4 months. I could have had a refund or voucher or free transfer of flights no one knew what the outcome of this pandemic would be and in the first instance I was trying to be supportive of the airline. 

I really wanted to understand the concept of ‘reinstating’ the flights and to conclude the issue just thought someone may be able to help. 

I’ll go back to the airline yet again. 

Thanks

 

Westin

I suspect "reinstate" = we are current holding a credit of the value originally paid on your account which will be used to make a new booking as and when you pick a new flight date.

If the airlines error I suspect the credit value being held is mostly irrelevant and should you find the new flight is more expensive then they will make up and just write off the difference between your credit value and the new flight cost if reasonable.  Moving from a cheap off season date to say Christmas peak may not be viable. If the difference is too great then they may just refund the original amount and be done with it.

The answer to your question is however best answered by the unnamed airline. Ask them.