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Another last minute.com flight refund issue

Hi everyone, I have been scanning this website for info relating to lastminute.com flight refunds/vouchers but can't seem to find the specific info I need (only info on package holidays), so apologies for starting a thread.
We booked two flights earlier this year for August, via last minute.com (both flights with VietJet).  Obviously they were cancelled, and I contacted Lastminute.com various times and naively believed it when they said, several times, that the refunds would be sent within a month at the latest.  Obviously they weren't, and i missed the chargeback deadline because i didn't know it existed at the time.  Silly me.
Today I received an email from lastminte.com saying i can have a voucher, or if I request a refund " You will either be refunded via your original payment method, in the form of an airline voucher, or, if applicable, another method that is in accordance with your airline's terms and conditions." This refund, if it arrived, would not reimburse us for non-refundable services eg FullFlex, which we paid for at the time.
Has anyone had experience of this re flights?  I dont want to risk not getting anything from the airline, but I also dont want to be pushed into taking a voucher by a company i dont trust, and wouldn't touch with a bargepole again.  Thanks everyone.

Comments

  • bagand96
    bagand96 Posts: 6,384 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 6 January 2021 pm31 2:20PM
    It will largely depend on the refund policy of VietJet Air. Based in Vietnam and operating mainly domestic flights or local flights in Asia, their policies and regulations may not be the same as you are used to in Europe.

    If you know VietJet Air are issuing cash refunds then continue to push for that via LM. 
  • Thanks for your advice.  So am I correct in thinking that even if we bought our flights on LM, getting a refund depends only on the airline issuing one?
  • bagand96
    bagand96 Posts: 6,384 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 6 January 2021 pm31 5:04PM
    Thanks for your advice.  So am I correct in thinking that even if we bought our flights on LM, getting a refund depends only on the airline issuing one?
    Well if VietJet Air don't refund LM.com, then LM won't have the cash to refund you.  They won't want to take the financial hit themselves.  

    The T&C's for LM.com will set out that they act only as your agent in arranging the service with the service provider (airline).

    The fact they are now getting in touch again with your options could mean they have now received the airline refund.  They may just be trying it on by seeing if you want LM.com vouchers instead.  You could perhaps ring them and ask them this, clarify if you can get a cash refund and when.

    (A very quick look on VietJet Air's website and conditions they seem pretty standard in that they will refund in the event of their cancellation - but you may wish to verify whether they are doing this, and what timescales are).
  • This is really good advice, thank you!
  • So booked return flights to Guilin last Dec, out march back may....full flex was applied at purchase, (no did not tick box but thought what the heck it may be handy if I wanted to come back early as have COPD) .....Cancelled end of Jan voucher applied Feb.

    Fast forward one year covid situation not changed emailed lastminute asking for refund as will be unable to book flights with confidence before voucher runs out....what are my options....bearing in mind it is unlikely during the last year flights to china have been unavailable so they could not even offer us flights to guilin because of covid...
        
  • Westin
    Westin Posts: 6,212 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    So booked return flights to Guilin last Dec, out march back may....full flex was applied at purchase, (no did not tick box but thought what the heck it may be handy if I wanted to come back early as have COPD) .....Cancelled end of Jan voucher applied Feb.

    Fast forward one year covid situation not changed emailed lastminute asking for refund as will be unable to book flights with confidence before voucher runs out....what are my options....bearing in mind it is unlikely during the last year flights to china have been unavailable so they could not even offer us flights to guilin because of covid...
        
    You don't mention if a LM voucher or an airline credit. If an LM voucher why not call them and ask about a booking extension? 

    You also have not mentioned the airline.  Perhaps check the airline website to see if they make mention of extending credit funds to a later date.

    Bottom line is if LM have not received any money back from the unnamed airline then they won't be refunding you in cash.
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