LastMinute - Return Flight Cancelled but Outbound Flew as Scheduled? Best Way to Approach?

BernardBresslaw19

Hi, this is pretty complicated, so apologies in advance,

I had a flight out booked for 14th September to Miami, via Last Minute (BA/AA flight) which took off as scheduled. Obviously I wasn't on it, as the USA is not allowing UK travellers in. I resigned myself to making a claim on my travel insurance, as the trip was booked before Covid. Fast forward to today, and I wake up to an email from Last Minute, claiming the return flight for the 25th has now been cancelled, and giving me the option to refund or book another flight.

Now, this seems to be a common tactic of canceling one leg of return flights, as I know two other people it has happened to, so I guess they are trying to minimise refunds, but I'm not sure of the best way to now deal with the situation. Should I claim the refund (taking up to 2 months!) for the return leg, or does that negate my claim on the insurance, which I haven't actually gotten round to starting yet?

Any help, much appreciated.

bagand96

Lastminute haven't cancelled the return flight, the airline have. Ordinarily, when any flight on a reservation is cancelled, you are entitled to a refund of the whole reservation. 

However I'm not sure what happens when one leg has already flown. You were a no-show for your outbound flight. Some airlines would cancel the entire reservation once you are a no show for the outbound (with no refund). 

It's a strange one. However, your insurance company will expect you to minimise your claim, by getting any available refunds before claiming from them. So if there's a flight refund on offer you should claim that first. 

BernardBresslaw19

Perfect thanks. I've initiated a refund request.