Ryanair bans passengers who got Covid Chargeback refunds

MSE_Emily

Ryanair has barred some passengers who received 'Chargeback' refunds for Covid-disrupted flights from travelling with the low-cost airline, unless they return the money. MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal some holidaymakers who booked trips for this year were later told they could only fly if they gave back the refunds, in one case just days before travel...
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Ryanair bans passengers who got Covid Chargeback refunds
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Worried_fool

The 'Guardian' has picked up the story:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/oct/12/ryanair-bans-covid-refund-passengers-from-boarding-new-flights

TiVo_Lad

I banned Ryanair from my list of approved airlines the first time O'Leary opened his mouth. I'm afraid these bully-boy charlatans will not change their ways. If you don't want to be treated as an opportunity to be exploited under the guise of "low-cost" then take your business elsewhere.

NickBlades

I successfully sued Ryanair in the small claims court after they refused to offer a voucher when HMG advised against all non essential travel to Spain in July 2020. Ryanair were still flying and said if we did not fly we would forfeit the flights. The judge found that our contract was frustrated because the potential risk to our health was so great if we had flown as we are over 60 and classed as vulnerable to severe covid illness . Ryanair was ordered to refund our flight cost in full and all of the court costs.

k3lvc

NickBlades said:

I successfully sued Ryanair in the small claims court after they refused to offer a voucher when HMG advised against all non essential travel to Spain in July 2020. Ryanair were still flying and said if we did not fly we would forfeit the flights. The judge found that our contract was frustrated because the potential risk to our health was so great if we had flown as we are over 60 and classed as vulnerable to severe covid illness . Ryanair was ordered to refund our flight cost in full and all of the court costs.

And did you manage to enforce the judgement ? Would be interested to read the judgement

NickBlades

k3lvc said:

NickBlades said:

I successfully sued Ryanair in the small claims court after they refused to offer a voucher when HMG advised against all non essential travel to Spain in July 2020. Ryanair were still flying and said if we did not fly we would forfeit the flights. The judge found that our contract was frustrated because the potential risk to our health was so great if we had flown as we are over 60 and classed as vulnerable to severe covid illness . Ryanair was ordered to refund our flight cost in full and all of the court costs.

And did you manage to enforce the judgement ? Would be interested to read the judgement

Yes we got the money although Ryanair's barrister asked for an extra week to pay "as her client was under immense financial strain"! Not sure what would happen if I tried to book more tickets, but that's never going to happen.

mf2cd

Sue !
MCOL - claim it as a debt. It's easy.
If they defend, it's sent back from Northampton to your local court. They won't want a widely-publicised judgement demonstrating their illegality.

JPears

The depths this company and O'Leary will plumb to, have no limits.

Given the seemingly complete disregard and lack of moral compass this company has for its customers, should we now question other aspects of its "legal" requirements such as aircraft maintenance and safety, staff/crew hours etc?

Ryanair completely ignored my perfectly valid and legal requests over a 6 month period, for a refund after they cancelled flights last year. Section 75 to the rescue.

jrawle

Two things I find underhand here are:

Ryanair operated flights despite in some cases travel bans being in place. They shouldn't then be able to deny refunds on the grounds that the flights still operated if people were prevented by rules in force at the time from travelling.

I guess Ryanair have the right to ban certain people from travelling with them if they want, but this should be enacted at the time of booking. They are clearly trying to hold people to ransom by only telling them they have to repay the refunds when they try to check in, well aware that many people will face losing bigger sums for accommodation, etc. if they cancel. If Ryanair allowed people to book, they should have a contractual obligation to carry them, or else be liable for consequential losses.

I have never travelled with Ryanair and don't plan to do so!

GrumpyOldMan2

Until Ryanair are hit where it hurts, in their pocket, they will continue to prosper.

Boycott the cowboys. There may be short term pain but think of the long term gain. Hopefully they have repaid the £600m they borrowed from the UK Government or they should be barred from flying in UK airspace until they have repaid their debt - does the UK Government have a Fraud Department? ;-)

juangarcia

For some time now, they have been making cuts all over the place.

First they started with the supplement for carry-on baggage, then they let you check it in, and now they charge for everything.

If I have to pay, I'd better choose another company.