Section 75 dispute relating to Ryanair flight

mdglover5

Hi all, 

First time posting so apologies if this is the wrong place. 

In January 2020, we booked return flights with Ryanair to France for me and my family in August. Although we couldn't fly to France because of the government restrictions at the time,  Ryanair didn't offer any refunds and so I did a section 75 claim through my AMEX card and the money was repaid to my card. 

Fast forward to this year when in January we booked return flights to France again and unfortunately once again, we can't travel. I have gone on today to attempt to change the flights for a different date, but before I can go any further, I am met with a screen demanding payment for the flights from 2020! I haven't received any communication from Ryanair about the payment so was shocked. 

I plan to speak to AMEX and Ryanair tomorrow, but any advice or suggestions, would be really helpful.

Thanks

Matt

Upsidedownandaround

If your flight went ahead in 2020 then you wouldn't have been entitled to a refund.

You owe Ryanair this money so they are now trying to recoup it.

CKhalvashi

If the flights went, you owe Ryanair the money as you made the choice to purchase a non-refundable ticket.

That you couldn't travel isn't Ryanair's problem, it's a matter between you and your insurer if relevant.

If the flights were cancelled, you have the right to a refund, however it appears this is not the case and therefore Ryanair wish to be rightly reimbursed for your fraudulent behaviour.

Sandtree

Are you sure it was processed as a S75 and not a chargeback?

If it was a S75 claim then it would have taken months and you'd have to have signed a declaration before the monies were given to you. If it was a chargeback then it can all be done over the phone/web, money is given almost straight away but with a warning the charge can be reapplied within 45 days.

A S75 claim is money from your credit cards own pocket whereas a chargeback is a clawback from the merchant.

It sounds like it was chargeback so AmEx somewhat arbitrarily took the money from RyanAir. This as far as RyanAir are concerned has left you indebted to them and hence they will refuse for you to book with them again until the debt is repaid.

Westin

You incorrectly claimed back money from RyanAir and as other have indicated you will need to sort this out and repay them before using your next flight booking with them.

RyanAir seem to be taking a firm hand on fraudulent claims.

mdglover5

Thanks for your comments everyone: I will give them a call to discuss and see what I can do.

CKhalvashi

mdglover5 said:

Thanks for your comments everyone: I will give them a call to discuss and see what I can do.

I believe the only option will be to pay them. I distinctly remember a case last year where the OP had their flights cancelled as a result of a chargeback of this nature.

The January 2020 should be one for your travel insurance (most policies will cover this), however the one this year may be a different matter depending on the terms of your insurance.

If you go to change the dates (even on the free transfer offer), I can only advice to check the cost of booking a new flight as this may actually be cheaper than attempting to transfer the existing booking.

mattyprice4004

Do let us know how you get on - there's been a few instances of this recently but from memory no-one has followed a thread to the end. 
I suspect you'll need to pay again though, because as pointed out you unfortunately weren't due a refund.