The one and only refund thread [READ MOD NOTE BEFORE POSTING]!

Cape Clear wrote: »

I paid a deposit to Supervalu getaway breaks in February for accommodation at Easter. The hotel was closed per government restrictions. I have requested a refund of deposit and processing fees which they have come back with the below response.

Unfortunately we can't refund deposits as per our cancellation policy but we can offer free transfers of date and also put your deposit on hold until you are ready to travel again? We're in line with all other tourism provider's

Here is their cancellation policy per the booking email

Cancellations can be made with the hotel up to 48 hours in advance of arrival by using the link below in your email booking confirmation. Changes to bookings can only be made by calling the Call Centre on 0818 22 00 88, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. For cancellations within this time, or in the case of a no show, the first nights stay will be charged by the hotel. All deposits and booking fees are non-refundable.

I didn't cancel the break but am I entitled to a refund instead of these guys holding my funds indefinitely?

paddy19 wrote: »

Flight cancellations: Cash refund guide.

This cash refund guide applies to Ryanair and Aer Lingus cancelled flights
originating in Ireland booked directly or indirectly through travel agents.

You will get your money back eventually, (Probably when Michael O'Leary and Willie Walsh decide the crisis is over!)
Irish law allows 6 years for debt recovery.
You will only loose your money in the extremely unlikely event of Aer Lingus or Ryanair going bankrupt.

There is still a risk that the Irish Government will pass a Greek style law that would allow businesses to pay consumers in mandatory vouchers instead of cash.
This would stop both the Small Claims Court and CAR and would delay you getting your cash for 12 to 18 months.

If you’re not in a hurry the best advise is to do nothing.
You could apply for the refund and put a note in diary to follow up in six months time.

Ignore vouchers offers, they simply limit your options unless they offer some bonus, Aer Lingus offered 10% extra and 5 year expiry.
Several other airlines are offering 15% and 20%. Carefully review Terms and Conditions before accepting.
A voucher is not the same as cash.

Guide:

Request refund for all processes.

You need to make a reasonable effort to inform the airline that you want a cash refund. This can be done online or by post.
There is no requirement to spend your time jumping through the hoops the airlines erect to make it difficult to get your money.

You do not have to:
1. Spend hours waiting for a response from the airline. Give it 15 minutes.
2. Phone any call centre.
3. Wait on chatbot.
4. Accept or reject any voucher.

Despite what emails from airline might insinuate.
You only need to make one refund request once.

Online refund airline request forms:
https://refundclaims.ryanair.com/
https://www.aerlingus.com/support/forms/refund-request-form/

You should get an automatic email reply.

If you find you are having a problem lodging the request you can always use the old fashioned An Post.

Mail cash refund request, your details, flight details the booking reference
and that the request is applicable to all passengers and flights on the booking.

To:
Refunds, Customer Service Department, Ryanair DAC, Airside Business Park, Swords Co. Dublin.
Guest Relations Department, Aer Lingus Head Office, Dublin Airport, Co Dublin K67 PW99

You do not have to send this letter by registered post.

You can make your claim 10 days after you have requested your refund.

Best Option:
1. www.flightrights.ie CAR (Commission for Aviation Regulation).

CAR operate a complaint process for refunds that is easy to use, works well and is totally FREE.

https://www.flightrights.ie/home/com...edure.452.html

Ignore 4-6 week wait, lodge complaint today.

Chances of success: Very good.

2. Small claims court. €25 non refundable fee. Airline response in 15 days.
Five step guide here:
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058071799

Don't be put off by the court in the title, it is all online, you don't have to appear or hire a solicitor.

Airline has to respond within in 15 calendar days.

Chances of success: Very good.

3. Chargeback This is a voluntary process operated by the banks.
It is not a legal process.

Each bank is responsible for their own process so different banks handle chargeback in their own way.
The major credit card companies have guidelines but it seems that each bank can largely do whatever they like.

Most banks don't want the hassle and will produce lame excuses that the airline is offering a voucher.
You could complain to the Central Bank but it's history on consumer protection is lamentable.

N26 simply cancel the charge and put the money in your account. The airline can dispute the claim within 30 days.
Good reports for Bank of Ireland.

AIB (the government owned bank) simple refuse all requests.
Other banks request the money from the airline and allow them various periods usually 30 days to come back.

Chances of success: Limited
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058069347

4. Travel insurance.
Insurance companies are just like the airlines they love taking your money.
They are a lot more reluctant to paying money out.

Varies by policy and company.
Insurance companies expect you to try all other avenues before they will even consider paying out.


Chances of success: Extremely limited.

Refund Background:

The airlines are delaying cash refunds for flight cancellations in clear breach of the law,
EU261 Article 8 which states:

Right to reimbursement -
"Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall
be offered ...... (a) — reimbursement within seven days"

The airlines have employed a range of tactics to hinder the consumer requesting or getting a refund.

This is not a Covid problem, employee distancing issue or lack of computer software resources.

The airlines have your money and they want to keep it and sell you restrictive vouchers.
Not only do they want to hold on to your cash but they would to add restrictions to allow them to pocket it and provide you with no service.
Better described as robbery!

At a minimum the airlines should provide some sort of bonus without restrictions for keeping your money.

Despite what Michael O’Leary claims the refund process can be automated.
Sad that the regulator bought this waffle without consulting any computer expert.
The airlines could setup a wallet system with an option to request a refund from the wallet.
Money in the wallet could be treated like cash.

Shane Ross/Heather Humphreys are threatening to introduce legislation that will force passengers to accept mandatory vouchers instead of cash refunds.
They have supported 11 other countries in a proposal to the EU. This will lock up your money for 12 to 18 months.

All of these tactics are designed to delay you getting your money.

Ryanair are upfront in breaking the law and have no plan in complying with the law until Michael O'Leary deems "the crisis has passed".
He claims he cannot automate cash refunds. TicketMaster,
not exactly a leading light in consumer satisfaction, do just that when a concert is cancelled. He could if he wanted to.

The Commission for (No) Aviation Regulation (CnAR) has supported this
deliberate breach of the law in its statement referencing employee safety.

Aer Lingus are fast with 7 day promises but when questioned talk about 2 to 3 months delay.

It’s not capability, it’s motivation that delays the airlines giving you back your money.
CnAR needs to provide the Motivation.
A €100 fine, per refund, per day and the airlines would have every refund processed in 72 hours.

Why can't CnAR support a system that allows 7 day cash refunds for the people who want cash and offer a great bonus offer for everybody else.