Ryanair; can I save 130 euros here ?

mgbgt1978

Hi all, i booked return flights to paris (well, ryanair's idea of paris) last june, to fly early november. they have now changed both flight times by more than 3 hours which i understand entitles me to a complete refund. if i book the same dates today the cost is now e120 for three of us (i paid e250).
i am just wondering if there will be a problem here if i look for a refund and rebook as obviously the passenger names etc. will be the same as the original booking . i can use a different credit card (same name) to make the booking if makes any difference. has anybody else cancelled and rebooked like this and was there any hassle doing so ?

finbarrk

Did you get an email saying you would be entitled to a full refund?
I am in a similar situation with a flight to Liverpool that the time has been changed but I haven't received any correspondence yet from Ryanair.

mgbgt1978

no e-mail yet. i only noticed the time change today so i don't know when it was actually changed. if i get their e-mail i will let you know.

finbarrk

I suppose if you are fully sure they are going to refund you all the money you could rebook it for cheaper.
But trying to get a refund off them is like trying to get blood off a turnip.

glanman

I wouldnt see why they would penalise you. Every flight is indiependent from each other.

The only issue I would see would be getting the refund.Be sure you get that 1st before booking the replacement flights!

Ruling http://www.ryanair.com/site/IE/faqs.php?sect=chg&quest=schedulechanges

"In the event of a schedule change Ryanair will endeavor to contact all passengers via the email address supplied at the point of booking, however we do recommend that passengers review their flight booking prior to departure via the Manage My Booking section on our website.

If a Ryanair flight is time changed significantly (more than 3 hours before or after the original departure time) and no suitable alternative flight is available, we will, upon application, offer a Travel Credit or a refund for all monies paid in respect of the time changed flight, without further liability."

On this point, they will claim you are still getting to Liverpool/paris and that it doesnt make a difference. Well what you do is convince them that it does. Say that you are missing going to a match, missing a wedding, a court appearance, whatever, just be convincing that you deserve the refund and insist on CASH

I cant find contact details for applying for a refund, but maybe try this:

For Refunds - Cancelled Flights
Ryanair Refunds Dept
PO Box 11451
Swords
Co Dublin
Ireland
Fax +353 1 8121676

finbarrk

I just got my flight refunded there now. Well she said the money would be refunded into my card in 7 - 10 days so we will see.
I called this number and wasn't that long on the line, press 9 once you get through to speak to an operator to save time.
0818 303030. Have the booking ref at hand.

glanman

Wow a phone number for Ryanair, fair play! Is that just for refunds??

finbarrk

No, it's a general number with lots of options when you get through. Office hours. It worked for me this morning anyway, although the lady couldn't answer me when I questioned her as to why I hadn't been notified about the flight time change.

mgbgt1978

i got through to the ryanair call centre today and they will give me a refund (because the flight times have been changed by more than three hours). should take 7-10 days according to the ryanair guy i spoke to...

glanman

Fair play, a success story for someone over Ryanair:) And I'm not a Ryanair basher, I just like when people get one over companies. Are you going to take his word on it and book new flights now or wait until they actually give the money back??

freyners

oh lord:eek: wait for the money before you rebook.

mgbgt1978

well as far as i can see the refund should come thtrough on my credit card. if i try to input the flight reference number it comes up as invalid so it seems the cancellation has been accepted at their end.
p.s. just checked aer lingus and they have dropped in price. we can now fly to charles de gaule (much handier than beauvais) at a more convenient time for e90 less than my original ryanair total cost.

mgbgt1978

Just to update and finish this thread, Ryanair refunded both the outward and return flights (total refund including all charges ) . I had the money back in my credit card account within 7 days.
By the way the number I called (0818 303030) is charged at national rates but if you have a
"free local and national calls" type of eircom account you will be charged for the call.... But it's not going to cost you a fortune, i was charged e1.48 for 18 minutes.

aidz

Is this change of flight by 3 hours that entitles the traveller to a refund a ryanair policy or general aviation law.

have the same issue in regard to air baltic at the moment and cant find a definite time change that would quantify a refund.

schemingbohemia

am fairly sure the 3 hour deal is an EU mandated level, (can't see Ryanair doing it if it wasn't) so I'm sure Air Baltic should refund you. Having said that any time it's happened to me the Airline has brought it to my attention.