Car hire won't refund

Annoyednewcastle

My son who lives abroad played £1000 to hire a car last year to come and visit me but due to covid had to cancel the car and get a voucher for this year. Again due to covid and only being able to come in March due to work he has tried e mailing the car hire company to get his money back but is not getting any reply. He has taken it up with American Express who he booked it with but they say it's between him and the car hire company. It's a lot of money to lose so if anyone can give me some advice what to do next I would be very grateful.

Aylesbury_Duck

I presume Amex aren't interested because he's accepted the voucher.  That seemed to be the case with things like flights, car hire, parking, etc. when the pandemic first hit.  There's no money lost unless he decides not to use the voucher, and in that case the loss is a voluntary one.

born_again

Well the car hire is available. So nothing any card co would be able to do.

who is the car hire co? Are they still trading?

justworriedabit

Am I guessing that it is one of the minor car rental  firms? The larger ones are very good on the whole. They cost a bit more but more choice and more support when things go wrong.

What does the contract state re cancellations?
Do they belong to any body that governs good rental firms?
Read link below you mind find very helpful
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-complain-about-your-car-hire-company

Annoyednewcastle

Thank you for sending me the link I appreciate it.

photome

who is the company, did they have a 100% refund policy if cancelled, if so why didn’t he just do that.

I have just cancelled an Alamo car hire ( for April this year) money was back in my account 2 days later

Annoyednewcastle

My son thought he had ticked for the refund but had ticked for the voucher by mistake

justworriedabit

Annoyednewcastle said:

Thank you for sending me the link I appreciate it.

No problem, thanks.

justworriedabit

Annoyednewcastle said:

My son thought he had ticked for the refund but had ticked for the voucher by mistake

Great, thanks for sharing.
Take care.