Ryanair flight to Spain NOT cancelled but country is on lockdown

joeysoap · 18-03-2020 1:38pm

Spain Is in lockdown. We’re nearly in lockdown. Anyone there is trying to get home. Nobody is going to Spain or Lanzarote on holidays. And RY know that. So they should refund now and stop playing games with people.

easypazz · 18-03-2020 1:49pm

joeysoap wrote: »

Spain Is in lockdown. We’re nearly in lockdown. Anyone there is trying to get home. Nobody is going to Spain or Lanzarote on holidays. And RY know that. So they should refund now and stop playing games with people.

Why?

Its not their fault. Its only peoples holiday Money.

That is what travel insurance is for.

BanditLuke · 18-03-2020 1:56pm

Its just Ryanair protecting their shareholders. Their whole fleet will be grounded soon enough so they'll be forced to refund. I'm in the same predicament flights booked for end of April Ryanair sending me daily emails asking to reschedule.

PCros · 18-03-2020 2:50pm

Am I correct in saying that if an airline cancels a flight they are legally required to refund you?

joeysoap · 18-03-2020 3:41pm

easypazz wrote: »

Why?

Its not their fault. Its only peoples holiday Money.

That is what travel insurance is for.

What travel insurance covers this?

josip · 18-03-2020 4:00pm

Most flights to be grounded from March 24th

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0318/1123917-ryanair-flights/

elperello · 18-03-2020 4:10pm

easypazz wrote: »

Why?

Its not their fault. Its only peoples holiday Money.

That is what travel insurance is for.

Some of those with bookings have been laid off and could do with the money.

Ryanair and AL are shamelessly gaming their customers.

spurious · 18-03-2020 4:17pm

There appears to be some problem with the Ryanair refund mechanism. It tells everyone, (even when the flight has been cancelled and the customer has been invited to apply for a refund) that their reservation number is wrong. They clearly need to get their IT folk to fix it, but seems everything is under crazy pressure.

joeysoap · 18-03-2020 4:24pm

elperello wrote: »

Some of those with bookings have been laid off and could do with the money.

Ryanair and AL are shamelessly gaming their customers.

Please don’t include AL in this.

josip · 18-03-2020 4:27pm

spurious wrote: »

There appears to be some problem with the Ryanair refund mechanism. It tells everyone, (even when the flight has been cancelled and the customer has been invited to apply for a refund) that their reservation number is wrong. They clearly need to get their IT folk to fix it, but seems everything is under crazy pressure.

That 'bug' has existed for 4 years.
Methinks Ryanair have no intention of fixing it since it probably filters out a not insignificant percentage of people entitled to a refund.

mountai · 18-03-2020 4:32pm

So YOU will refund anyone that is out of pocket ?? . You in love with MOL ???.

Eh easypazz

spurious · 18-03-2020 4:49pm

josip wrote: »

That 'bug' has existed for 4 years.
Methinks Ryanair have no intention of fixing it since it probably filters out a not insignificant percentage of people entitled to a refund.

But there are people managing to get as far as being told their application is being sent for a refund. It seems 3am is a good time to try, which would seem to indicate it is problem when the server is under pressure.

I don't subscribe to the theory that Ryanair are deliberately trying to diddle people. From what I can see, many who are trying for refunds have been offered flight changes, but continue trying to get a refund.

The flight changes I did for the flight I was due to take on March 30th went fairly painlessly. Rebooked for October.

waxmelts2000 · 18-03-2020 4:50pm

"There appears to be some problem with the Ryanair refund mechanism. It tells everyone, (even when the flight has been cancelled and the customer has been invited to apply for a refund) that their reservation number is wrong. They clearly need to get their IT folk to fix it, but seems everything is under crazy pressure."

I was due to fly on Sunday to Malaga , flight is now cancelled. Requested refund and getting the above error. Try online CHAT but that too is not getting me anywhere.

How do I know they will actually refund me, can I email them? Thanks for the help, if you can

elperello · 18-03-2020 5:09pm

joeysoap wrote: »

Please don’t include AL in this.

I completed what will be my last round trip for a long time last week with Ryanair and have no special animus towards them.

I know for a fact that AL are also playing the re-book game on flights that they they know are useless to those who purchased them.

It's a time for big business's to show a bit of respect for the people who make their profits ie. the customers.

joeysoap · 18-03-2020 5:46pm

spurious wrote: »

But there are people managing to get as far as being told their application is being sent for a refund. It seems 3am is a good time to try, which would seem to indicate it is problem when the server is under pressure.

I don't subscribe to the theory that Ryanair are deliberately trying to diddle people. From what I can see, many who are trying for refunds have been offered flight changes, but continue trying to get a refund.

The flight changes I did for the flight I was due to take on March 30th went fairly painlessly. Rebooked for October.

I hope you took your money and booked October yourself. Twice the price to rebook. Of course it mightn’t matter you don’t get back the difference, only charged if its dearer. .

FionnK86 · 18-03-2020 6:20pm

elperello wrote: »

I completed what will be my last round trip for a long time last week with Ryanair and have no special animus towards them.

I know for a fact that AL are also playing the re-book game on flights that they they know are useless to those who purchased them.

It's a time for big business's to show a bit of respect for the people who make their profits ie. the customers.

To be fair, most of the airlines already pay an extortionate amount of EU261 compensation, typically €250 back for as little as a €15 ticket.

I'm awaiting cancellation of RYR flight to BIA early next month, it'll happen & with RYR & AL you've a safe bet to get your refund as they won't collapse. Your rights are protected.

However, if you think about it, they'll need to process each refunded ticket individually & clear it. If they block refund every passenger, the certain amount who wouldn't usually claim (out of laziness usually) would get money back they didn't ask for.

No transport company interested in staying afloat during COVID-19 would purposely hire staff to setup a system like this. It's usually a team of less than 10 in an airline processing these refunds, you can imagine the strain they're under based on self-isolation.

You'll get your money back, it'll take time though, part of pulling together as a nation is dealing with the delay.

spurious · 18-03-2020 6:24pm

joeysoap wrote: »

I hope you took your money and booked October yourself. Twice the price to rebook. Of course it mightn’t matter you don’t get back the difference, only charged if its dearer. .

It wasn't twice the price to rebook. I wasn't foolish enough to expect a 21.99 leg to the Costa del Sol in October, so I had to pay the difference. the total price was the same as if I had booked a new flight, but I only paid the difference.

youngblood · 18-03-2020 6:46pm

Anyone know if your return flight is cancelled can you get a refund for outgoing flight too?

johnnyrotten · 18-03-2020 7:03pm

Ryanair did not notify me of my flight cancellation, I discovered when I logged in.
I cannot apply for flight refund , I get the same message that the reservation number is invalid (It isn't).
Online chat is not working.

The way I see it, Ryanair are defo playing a game here to hold onto my money.

Who can we go to with this?

johnnyrotten · 18-03-2020 7:08pm

https://secure.aviationreg.ie/eseries/uiid647981396/car450.xsp;jsessionid=1C0180796F5D7AE87E7939D0D7F394ED.node1

easypazz · 18-03-2020 7:19pm

johnnyrotten wrote: »

Ryanair did not notify me of my flight cancellation, I discovered when I logged in.
I cannot apply for flight refund , I get the same message that the reservation number is invalid (It isn't).
Online chat is not working.

The way I see it, Ryanair are defo playing a game here to hold onto my money.

Who can we go to with this?

Will you calm down for gods sake. The airlines are under extreme pressure, give them a chance to finish flight operations, make loads of staff redundant, sort out lots of massive issues and then they will start looking at this sort of stuff.

elperello · 18-03-2020 7:27pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

To be fair, most of the airlines already pay an extortionate amount of EU261 compensation, typically €250 back for as little as a €15 ticket.

I'm awaiting cancellation of RYR flight to BIA early next month, it'll happen & with RYR & AL you've a safe bet to get your refund as they won't collapse. Your rights are protected.

However, if you think about it, they'll need to process each refunded ticket individually & clear it. If they block refund every passenger, the certain amount who wouldn't usually claim (out of laziness usually) would get money back they didn't ask for.

No transport company interested in staying afloat during COVID-19 would purposely hire staff to setup a system like this. It's usually a team of less than 10 in an airline processing these refunds, you can imagine the strain they're under based on self-isolation.

You'll get your money back, it'll take time though, part of pulling together as a nation is dealing with the delay.

easypazz wrote: »

Will you calm down for gods sake. The airlines are under extreme pressure, give them a chance to finish flight operations, make loads of staff redundant, sort out lots of massive issues and then they will start looking at this sort of stuff.

There is no doubt that these are difficult times for airlines. They are difficult times for every sector of the community.

Nobody expects them to wave a magic wand and deal with all refunds overnight.

What is needed is a clear communication that they will not expect people to take flights to countries on lock down or require them to re-book.

easypazz · 18-03-2020 7:37pm

elperello wrote: »

What is needed is a clear communication that they will not expect people to take flights to countries on lock down or require them to re-book.

The airline doesn't expect anybody to fly anywhere, its the consumers choice.

The airlines did not cause this problem.

The airlines are already being obliterated - give them a break.

johnnyrotten · 18-03-2020 7:37pm

easypazz wrote: »

Will you calm down for gods sake. The airlines are under extreme pressure, give them a chance to finish flight operations, make loads of staff redundant, sort out lots of massive issues and then they will start looking at this sort of stuff.

Yeah, No email, No chat and no function of website.
No Communication pisses people off. I had no issues with Aerlingus
4 Adults in my house and 3 have been laid off this week.
calm down :rolleyes:

easypazz · 18-03-2020 7:47pm

johnnyrotten wrote: »

Yeah, No email, No chat and no function of website.
No Communication pisses people off. I had no issues with Aerlingus
4 Adults in my house and 3 have been laid off this week.
calm down :rolleyes:

Why do you think the phone, email and chat are struggling?

johnnyrotten · 18-03-2020 7:56pm

easypazz wrote: »

Why do you think the phone, email and chat are struggling?

When they don't email you yet the flight is cancelled it raises suspicion.
When they offer you a change but not a refund it raises suspicion.
No problem with AerLingus

elperello · 18-03-2020 8:02pm

easypazz wrote: »

The airline doesn't expect anybody to fly anywhere, its the consumers choice.

The airlines did not cause this problem.

The airlines are already being obliterated - give them a break.

Unfortunately the consumers choice is Hobson's Choice.

Either travel to a country where everything is closed or book a trip for some date in the future when you don't know if you can get time off or even afford to go.

I acknowledged that the airlines are in trouble.

mountai · 18-03-2020 8:29pm

easypazz wrote: »

Will you calm down for gods sake. The airlines are under extreme pressure, give them a chance to finish flight operations, make loads of staff redundant, sort out lots of massive issues and then they will start looking at this sort of stuff.

No problems booking flights in future though . Why make staff redundant when all these issues need sorting eh Michael ??

killbillvol2 · 18-03-2020 8:36pm

elperello wrote: »

Nobody expects them to wave a magic wand and deal with all refunds overnight.

Actually, some people do. That's the problem. A couple of days after the whole travel landscape changed people are crying that their refund isn't the top priority for the airline.

kravmaga · 18-03-2020 8:44pm

MOL said that the entire Ryanair fleet will be grounded soon.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/coronavirus-ryanair-to-cut-jobs-and-pay-as-entire-fleet-could-be-grounded-1.4204023

mountai · 18-03-2020 9:14pm

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Actually, some people do. That's the problem. A couple of days after the whole travel landscape changed people are crying that their refund isn't the top priority for the airline.

When you book a flight, and hit the button, the money is deducted from your account instantly . The reverse should be possible as well . Insulting people by telling them that their booking number is "Invalid" is a bit rich , nott so ??

joeysoap · 18-03-2020 9:18pm

Al and RY are both struggling to come to terms with this , but AL while hoping you rebook are offering refunds, Ryanair are simply hoping you rebook. ( I tried last week and changing Tenerife to Malaga was cost €€134) they quoted €151 for flights that they were selling for €74. Plus I was losing priority and seats . Seats I understand, priority I don’t

Anyway I didn’t rebook, so now waiting on the cancellations email which I have already received from AL and I think I’ll skip October as well.

embraer170 · 18-03-2020 9:19pm

Ryanair are being totally dishonest here.

They claim free changes... but the flights are more than double the normal price when you use the flight change function. (a flight that is €30 using the normal search is €60 using the flight change). It is cheaper to just book a new ticket. In other words, a total scam.

I also wonder why we should give Ryanair and other dishonest airlines a break? They have been generating 100s of millions in profits for years, and using most of the cash to buy-back shares and in executive compensation instead of increasing cash reserves for a rainy day.

easypazz · 18-03-2020 9:29pm

mountai wrote: »

When you book a flight, and hit the button, the money is deducted from your account instantly . The reverse should be possible as well . Insulting people by telling them that their booking number is "Invalid" is a bit rich , nott so ??

Not in the current situation. People are being deployed to the highest priority matters that no doubt crop up daily.

I am due a refund myself, but I fully appreciate that people are under pressure and will get around to my refund in due course.

easypazz · 18-03-2020 9:30pm

embraer170 wrote: »

Ryanair are being totally dishonest here.

They claim free changes... but the flights are more than double the normal price when you use the flight change function. (a flight that is €30 using the normal search is €60 using the flight change). It is cheaper to just book a new ticket. In other words, a total scam.

I also wonder why we should give Ryanair and other dishonest airlines a break? They have been generating 100s of millions in profits for years, and using most of the cash to busy-back shares and in executive compensation instead of increasing cash reserves for a rainy day.

Don't give them a break. Fly with somebody else in future.

BanditLuke · 18-03-2020 10:09pm

easypazz wrote: »

The airline doesn't expect anybody to fly anywhere, its the consumers choice.

The airlines did not cause this problem.

The airlines are already being obliterated - give them a break.

Give Ryanair a break? :pac:

Eh i don't think so.

easypazz · 18-03-2020 10:16pm

BanditLuke wrote: »

Give Ryanair a break? :pac:

Eh i don't think so.

Dead right. Fly with somebody else in future.

joeysoap · 18-03-2020 11:02pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

To be fair, most of the airlines already pay an extortionate amount of EU261 compensation, typically €250 back for as little as a €15 ticket.

I'm awaiting cancellation of RYR flight to BIA early next month, it'll happen & with RYR & AL you've a safe bet to get your refund as they won't collapse. Your rights are protected...............

Fair points.

Worth pointing out though ryanair sold over 100 million flights a year and charge a €2.50 EU261 fee for each one. Hardly losing on it.

https://aviator.aero/press_releases/10278

satguy · 19-03-2020 1:48am

The word for this is profiteering.

Like shops putting up prices, or clamping nurses cars if they work late. It might even be a crime.

https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2020/0318/1123991-clamping-dublin-city-council/

rx8 · 19-03-2020 6:03am

spurious wrote: »

But there are people managing to get as far as being told their application is being sent for a refund. It seems 3am is a good time to try, which would seem to indicate it is problem when the server is under pressure.

I don't subscribe to the theory that Ryanair are deliberately trying to diddle people. From what I can see, many who are trying for refunds have been offered flight changes, but continue trying to get a refund.

The flight changes I did for the flight I was due to take on March 30th went fairly painlessly. Rebooked for October.

I finally got the email that the flight was cancelled last night. Tried to get the refund and got the same, Invalid flight number.... just tried again now, at 4.55am and it went through no bother. Obviously the server can only deal with a tiny amount of traffic. Says the refund will take up to 7 days. Now we wait.

spurious · 19-03-2020 6:55am

Mine just went through too.

theteal · 19-03-2020 7:30am

Still no cancellation about my flight to Dublin tomorrow.

PGE1970 · 19-03-2020 10:22am

My Ryanair flight to Lanzarote still going out in less than 24 hours :eek:

When I try to re-book, I can't process the application either.

The Aer Lingus leg of the journey was sorted out days ago. Flight cancelled and refund paid.

At the moment, my flight is leaving to a locked down country, I cant get a refund and I cant change my flight.

But I can still book a flight with Ryanair to Lanzarote tomorrow and they will still take my money. Instantly.

Yes, my heart bleeds for them.

josip · 19-03-2020 10:58am

rx8 wrote: »

I finally got the email that the flight was cancelled last night. Tried to get the refund and got the same, Invalid flight number.... just tried again now, at 4.55am and it went through no bother. Obviously the server can only deal with a tiny amount of traffic. Says the refund will take up to 7 days. Now we wait.

"The server".
Do people really think that RyanAir have a clapped out V240 with a couple of UltraSparc CPUs hammering away somewhere in a cupboard in Swords?
They have top end cloud infrastructure that can dynamically scale with demand.
Has anyone ever gotten an "unable to generate reservation number" error when PURCHASING flights during the day?

spurious · 19-03-2020 11:24am

josip wrote: »

"The server".
Do people really think that RyanAir have a clapped out V240 with a couple of UltraSparc CPUs hammering away somewhere in a cupboard in Swords?
They have top end cloud infrastructure that can dynamically scale with demand.
Has anyone ever gotten an "unable to generate reservation number" error when PURCHASING flights during the day?

No, but I am sure it is set up to take lots of bookings. It would never have been set up to deal with more cancellations than bookings.

Between 3am or 5am seems to be the best time at the moment, if you actually want a refund.

easypazz · 19-03-2020 11:57am

PGE1970 wrote: »

My Ryanair flight to Lanzarote still going out in less than 24 hours :eek:

When I try to re-book, I can't process the application either.

The Aer Lingus leg of the journey was sorted out days ago. Flight cancelled and refund paid.

At the moment, my flight is leaving to a locked down country, I cant get a refund and I cant change my flight.

But I can still book a flight with Ryanair to Lanzarote tomorrow and they will still take my money. Instantly.

Yes, my heart bleeds for them.

If your flight goes ahead you are not entitled to a refund.

PGE1970 · 19-03-2020 12:02pm

easypazz wrote: »

If your flight goes ahead you are not entitled to a refund.

I am aware of that and in ordinary times, I would agree with you.

But I am invited to change the flight but I cant do that either.

The issue of the flight leaving at all when the destination country is in lockdown and our own government advises against all but essential travel is a separate issue.

I'm not sure how responsible that is of Ryanair?

easypazz · 19-03-2020 12:16pm

PGE1970 wrote: »

I am aware of that and in ordinary times, I would agree with you.

But I am invited to change the flight but I cant do that either.

The issue of the flight leaving at all when the destination country is in lockdown and our own government advises against all but essential travel is a separate issue.

I'm not sure how responsible that is of Ryanair?

If that's the case then screenshots and / or a video as evidence is all you can do.

Sultan of Bling · 19-03-2020 12:30pm

easypazz wrote:

If your flight goes ahead you are not entitled to a refund.

I was due to fly to Paris yesterday with Ryanair. They emailed me to say my flight was cancelled and I would get a refund. 15 hours later they emailed again advising it was not cancelled.

Flight did fly as scheduled.

Obviously I didn't travel. I'm wondering because they initially advised me it was cancelled, would I have grounds for a refund?

BanditLuke · 19-03-2020 12:40pm

Do people seriously think Ryanair are having problems with their server? This is Ryanair we are talking about ffs. They'll make it hard as humanly possible to give people their money back.

Ryanair flight to Spain NOT cancelled but country is on lockdown

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