Ryanair and their cancellations

IngazZagni · 12-04-2020 11:11am

Is EU261 even valid in these circumstances though? It would be considered extraordinary circumstances and not apply. Also if a flight is cancelled more than 2 weeks before the flight date then EU261 also doesn't apply.

All of that should be separate from your right to claim a refund.

paddy19 · 12-04-2020 2:05pm

IngazZagni wrote: »

Is EU261 even valid in these circumstances though? It would be considered extraordinary circumstances and not apply. Also if a flight is cancelled more than 2 weeks before the flight date then EU261 also doesn't apply.

All of that should be separate from your right to claim a refund.

EU261 is famous for compensation and this causes a lot of confusion.

"Extraordinary circumstances"only applies to compensation it has no relevance to refunds for cancellations.

EU261 requires an airline to process a flight cancellation requested cash refund within 7 days.

FionnK86 · 14-04-2020 11:42am

I contacted Ryanair chatbot today for update on refund request I applied for on 20/3, it should've been processed 31/3 & when I contacted 4/4 chatbot said they'd a delay due to Covid-19. I'd not heard anything back, despite Conor Pope's article posted previously in the thread. Chatbot (Grego) said cash refunds wouldn't be processed until Covid crisis has abated.

This is understandable, and I'm happy that they'd not offered a voucher in the chat, I'd say they've been told to hold fire until government makes a decision.

manniot2 · 14-04-2020 11:50am

Hi. Just wondering, if you accept a voucher from Ryanair, do you have to use it on the same route you were originally due to travel? Thanks

paddy19 · 14-04-2020 12:21pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

I contacted Ryanair chatbot today for update on refund request I applied for on 20/3, it should've been processed 31/3 & when I contacted 4/4 chatbot said they'd a delay due to Covid-19. I'd not heard anything back, despite Conor Pope's article posted previously in the thread. Chatbot (Grego) said cash refunds wouldn't be processed until Covid crisis has abated.

This is understandable, and I'm happy that they'd not offered a voucher in the chat, I'd say they've been told to hold fire until government makes a decision.

This in my view is neither understandable or acceptable.
The law is clear Ryanair should refund you within 7 days.
One of the car hire companies refunds within 24 hours.
The refund process should be automated.
You complete a refund request form they refund you. Rocket science it ain't!

Ryanair are illegally holding onto to your money as an interest free loan.

The government have no decision here. Thank God!
EU261 is a regulation with direct effect, meaning you can sue for your money in the Swords District Court.

john boye · 14-04-2020 12:24pm

I wonder at what point exactly Ryanair will decide that the pandemic has "abated". I suspect people could be waiting a long time even after things get back to normal.

JimmyVik · 14-04-2020 12:52pm

paddy19 wrote: »

This in my view is neither understandable or acceptable.
The law is clear Ryanair should refund you within 7 days.
One of the car hire companies refunds within 24 hours.
The refund process should be automated.
You complete a refund request form they refund you. Rocket science it ain't!

Ryanair are illegally holding onto to your money as an interest free loan.

The government have no decision here. Thank God!
EU261 is a regulation with direct effect, meaning you can sue for your money in the Swords District Court.

So my holiday was cancelled.
Im waiting 30 days to be refunded so far from Ryanair and nothing but a couple of automated mails from them.

Car hire company refunded me in 24 hours.
Accommodation was refunded within 72 hours.
Tickets for other stuff were all refunded within a week.

paddy19 · 14-04-2020 1:24pm

john boye wrote: »

I wonder at what point exactly Ryanair will decide that the pandemic has "abated". I suspect people could be waiting a long time even after things get back to normal.

Michael will meditate on it and discuss it with the other elders in Ryanair and come to a Solomon like judgement on when the pandemic has abated.

So no worries.....

In the meantime Ryanair are in breach of EU261 which requires cash refund within 7 days of a request.

Isn't it wonderful the way large companies can just break the law with impunity.

Where is the regulator?

I always like the way judges in the states could fine a company $100,000 a day until they complied.

Bet Michael would have refunds out the door in 24 hours if he had that motivation.

EverythingGood · 14-04-2020 5:31pm

paddy19 wrote: »

This in my view is neither understandable or acceptable.
The law is clear Ryanair should refund you within 7 days.
One of the car hire companies refunds within 24 hours.
The refund process should be automated.
You complete a refund request form they refund you. Rocket science it ain't!

Ryanair are illegally holding onto to your money as an interest free loan.

The government have no decision here. Thank God!
EU261 is a regulation with direct effect, meaning you can sue for your money in the Swords District Court.

They have about 20 million flight to refund

paddy19 · 14-04-2020 6:04pm

"They have about 20 million flight to refund."

So why don't they automate the process instead of playing silly games with re-booking, crappy vouchers and bogus excuses for breaking the law.

Computers are wonderful at this stuff, you don't need operators intervening in each booking to try to find some excuse for not refunding.

300 hot shot software engineers in Ryanair Labs and refunds are still manual is ridiculous.

If MOL was charged a grand per booking for every day he was over the 7 day refund limit, he'd have it done in jig time.

Comhrá · 14-04-2020 6:06pm

EverythingGood wrote: »

They have about 20 million flight to refund

Small potatoes for a company with FR's cash balance I'd say.

The chan chan man · 14-04-2020 6:10pm

Got an email saying my flight had been cancelled and to click the link to apply for me refund, which I did. Dead simple... Am i missing something? What are ye all moaning about??

ASOT · 14-04-2020 6:11pm

The chan chan man wrote: »

Got an email saying my flight had been cancelled and to click the link to apply for me refund, which I did. Dead simple... Am i missing something? What are ye all moaning about??

I got the same link over 28 days ago but still havnt received the actual refund.

Enjoy the wait.

paddy19 · 14-04-2020 6:16pm

ASOT wrote: »

I got the same link over 28 days ago but still havnt received the actual refund.

Enjoy the wait.

Supposed to be 7 days max... but sure it's only the law.....

Irish Steve · 14-04-2020 6:19pm

Time for some posters to move on, the needle has got stuck in the same place on the record, and it's getting boring.

If you don't move on, then sanctions to change that will follow

paddy19 · 14-04-2020 9:36pm

Fair dues to Ryanair at least they are showing cancellations to the end of April.

They are also offering a choice of Rebook and Refund button.

Aer Lingus in contrast are not showing cancellations on the 3 day flight status page. They also showing flights as "sold out" on the booking page. These flights were cancelled not sold out.

Very strange that they simply don't show the flights as cancelled like Ryanair.

This means technically you can't apply for insurance unless you have an email, as EI have not officially cancelled the flight. I think you can still use the request refund page but I don't know.

syndrome777 · 15-04-2020 9:21am

Cookiemunster wrote: »

I'm pretty sure it's his PayPal account that will be refunded rather than his card. Ryanair wouldn't have any of his card details. PayPal then send the refund the card currently registered on his account.

sorry to piggy back on your response. But any ideas how I should proceed where I paid with a debit card that is now expired (I have anew one) and requesting refund.

Is there a way or do I need to contact them?

thank

syndrome777 · 15-04-2020 9:34am

paddy19 wrote: »

Fair dues to Ryanair at least they are showing cancellations to the end of April.

They are also offering a choice of Rebook and Refund button.

Aer Lingus in contrast are not showing cancellations on the 3 day flight status page. They also showing flights as "sold out" on the booking page. These flights were cancelled not sold out.

Very strange that they simply don't show the flights as cancelled like Ryanair.

This means technically you can't apply for insurance unless you have an email, as EI have not officially cancelled the flight. I think you can still use the request refund page but I don't know.

and when I try to check in for my flight to Budapest this Sunday on Aer lingus it says check in will open on Saturday bla bla....where usually you can do early check in if you pay.

When you check arrivals/departures no one is flying to Budapest for weeks now and when I ask them on chat is my flight still proceeding they sad

"Hi, at this time the flight is scheduled to operate however all flights are under review at this time. If there is a change to the booking you'll be notified."

They are being very sneaky in getting people to take the vouchers or residual.

syndrome777 · 15-04-2020 3:46pm

syndrome777 wrote: »

and when I try to check in for my flight to Budapest this Sunday on Aer lingus it says check in will open on Saturday bla bla....where usually you can do early check in if you pay.

When you check arrivals/departures no one is flying to Budapest for weeks now and when I ask them on chat is my flight still proceeding they sad

"Hi, at this time the flight is scheduled to operate however all flights are under review at this time. If there is a change to the booking you'll be notified."

They are being very sneaky in getting people to take the vouchers or residual.

Got an email advising me my flight is canceled.
They offer voucher or change of flight with no fee.

And a link to advise you of your rights under Regulation (EC) 261/2004.

no where in the email can you find a ling for a refund form. I found it on their FB page where people were angry and asking for it.

crazy 88 · 15-04-2020 4:44pm

paddy19 wrote: »

Fair dues to Ryanair at least they are showing cancellations to the end of April.

They are also offering a choice of Rebook and Refund button.

Aer Lingus in contrast are not showing cancellations on the 3 day flight status page. They also showing flights as "sold out" on the booking page. These flights were cancelled not sold out.

Very strange that they simply don't show the flights as cancelled like Ryanair.

This means technically you can't apply for insurance unless you have an email, as EI have not officially cancelled the flight. I think you can still use the request refund page but I don't know.

Is that you Mr O'Leary?

crazy 88 · 15-04-2020 4:50pm

Has anyone actually got a refund or heard of anyone who got one??

Thespoofer · 15-04-2020 4:56pm

danmci wrote: »

Has anyone actually got a refund or heard of anyone who got one??

I'd like to know this as well. My '28 day' period is up this Saturday so I'll be looking for advice on the best approach soon if they don't pay up.

EverythingGood · 15-04-2020 5:03pm

danmci wrote: »

Has anyone actually got a refund or heard of anyone who got one??

Got 2 on the early batches back in March, but still awaiting 5 from FR, 1 from easyjet and one from Wizz.

paddy19 · 15-04-2020 5:10pm

danmci wrote: »

Is that you Mr O'Leary?

Defo not Michael here, I think if you check my posts you'll see that Michael would be none too pleased with my utterances about him and his beloved Ryanair!

paddy19 · 15-04-2020 5:50pm

Thespoofer wrote: »

I'd like to know this as well. My '28 day' period is up this Saturday so I'll be looking for advice on the best approach soon if they don't pay up.

1. Regulator is free and your claim will be logged. No data on how fast they move.

2. Chargeback. Different banks have different rules. VISA says: While there is no guarantee that your bank that issued your card will be able to recover the money through chargeback, they will assess your claim fairly.

Both of these are probably going to tell you wait some more time, backlog, unprecedented and all that waffle.

3. Swords small claims district court (for Ryanair and Air Lingus). Max €2,000
This is all online and costs €25, no need for you to appear or have a solicitor.
You need to register which is just your details.
You just give the flight details and how much it cost and say the flight was cancelled.

I've gone this route and it has been straight forward so far.
The site is a bit clunky and not too intuitive but if you take it slowly you should be fine. They check your claim is valid before you pay the €25.

They don't hang around, approval next day and they lodged the claim with Aer Lingus the same day I paid. The Airline has 15 calendar days to reply.

You'll also have the joy of seeing Your Name V Aer Lingus Limited.

The advantage here is that airline will normally agree to pay immediately, cancellation is obviously straight forward.

Thespoofer · 15-04-2020 6:20pm

paddy19 wrote: »

1. Regulator is free and your claim will be logged. No data on how fast they move.

2. Chargeback. Different banks have different rules. VISA says: While there is no guarantee that your bank that issued your card will be able to recover the money through chargeback, they will assess your claim fairly.

Both of these are probably going to tell you wait some more time, backlog, unprecedented and all that waffle.

3. Swords small claims district court (for Ryanair and Air Lingus). Max €2,000
This is all online and costs €25, no need for you to appear or have a solicitor.
You need to register which is just your details.
You just give the flight details and how much it cost and say the flight was cancelled.

I've gone this route and it has been straight forward so far.
The site is a bit clunky and not too intuitive but if you take it slowly you should be fine. They check your claim is valid before you pay the €25.

They don't hang around, approval next day and they lodged the claim with Aer Lingus the same day I paid. The Airline has 15 calendar days to reply.

You'll also have the joy of seeing Your Name V Aer Lingus Limited.

The advantage here is that airline will normally agree to pay immediately, cancellation is obviously straight forward.

Can't ask for anymore than that, thanks.

Gael23 · 16-04-2020 7:45pm

Are Ryanair allowing you use the voucher for a different destination or does it have to be the same as what you originally booked?

EverythingGood · 16-04-2020 10:19pm

Slightly off topic, but has anyones future bookings disappeared from their MyRyanair profile? I've about 12 future bookings and they aren't on the app or my profile on the laptop

JimmyVik · 17-04-2020 8:23am

Gael23 wrote: »

Are Ryanair allowing you use the voucher for a different destination or does it have to be the same as what you originally booked?

Dont take vouchers. If you take cash and decide to fly again with that airline you can use that cash easier than a voucher for a start. But if you wanted to fly with a different airline, you are snookered. There will be lots of small print im sure too. Take the cash.

spurious · 17-04-2020 8:44am

Can someone be specific as to what the small print regarding potential Ryanair vouchers are?

I have used Ryanair gift vouchers before and they were a much less painful experience than the Aer Lingus offering. They operated more or less like credit. Would 'refund vouchers' not be the same?

airbusa320 · 17-04-2020 9:26am

EverythingGood wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but has anyones future bookings disappeared from their MyRyanair profile? I've about 12 future bookings and they aren't on the app or my profile on the laptop

No all my future bookings are still there when I sign in.
What happens come check in time is the question ?

maestroamado · 17-04-2020 9:45am

spurious wrote: »

Can someone be specific as to what the small print regarding potential Ryanair vouchers are?

I have used Ryanair gift vouchers before and they were a much less painful experience than the Aer Lingus offering. They operated more or less like credit. Would 'refund vouchers' not be the same?

Can you tell me how the voucher system works this is EasyJet but i reckon it be the same.
I booked the flight for another person 80+ this person wanted to visit family here and wanted to travel to Airport with me which is an hour, i would drive them to where staying as nearly 200km from Airport.
I was booked on the same flight and they used the opportunity to get the trip in the easiest way.

Do you know if the voucher is issued to the ticket holder or the name on the credit card who booked the ticket?
It was me that booked the ticket.

I be happy to take the voucher if in my name and refund this person the money myself.

Many thanks...

spurious · 17-04-2020 10:58am

maestroamado wrote: »

Do you know if the voucher is issued to the ticket holder or the name on the credit card who booked the ticket?
It was me that booked the ticket.

I be happy to take the voucher if in my name and refund this person the money myself.

For Ryanair gift vouchers (and I don't know if these proposed refund vouchers are the same) they had to be used for flights in the name of the voucher holder, but after that, it was very much like a credit note. Any left over money from a voucher, could just keep being used until the balance was zero.

As I said, I don't know if there would be specific conditions imposed on 'refund' vouchers', but I would be quite happy with gift voucher style vouchers.

BanditLuke · 17-04-2020 11:02am

danmci wrote: »

Has anyone actually got a refund or heard of anyone who got one??

Waiting over 4 weeks now. Not responding to any emails.

Pat Dunne · 17-04-2020 11:40am

BanditLuke wrote: »

Waiting over 4 weeks now. Not responding to any emails.

I am waiting a similar period and with 3 flights cancelled and have received 3 emails in relation to each flight, that’s a total of 9 emails.

JimmyVik · 17-04-2020 2:17pm

Pat Dunne wrote: »

I am waiting a similar period and with 3 flights cancelled and have received 3 emails in relation to each flight, that’s a total of 9 emails.

Im waiting longer than you both

Still waiting to hear from ANYONE AT ALL who actuallygot a refund from Ryanair onto their card.

Pat Dunne · 17-04-2020 3:06pm

JimmyVik wrote: »

Im waiting longer than you both
Still waiting to hear from ANYONE AT ALL who actuallygot a refund from Ryanair onto their card.

We’re all waiting from the same date at the end of March, when the lockdown started and air travel ceased in Europe.

Noxegon · 17-04-2020 8:21pm

I requested a refund on 20th March.

Today I have received a voucher that must be used by 17th April 2021.

Over the past months the spread of the Covid-19 virus has caused many EU governments to impose flight and/or travel bans which grounded over 99% of Ryanair’s flights. We are doing everything we can to support our customers, our people and protect jobs. We are ready to return flying when Covid-19 is defeated, hopefully sooner rather than later.

We regret that these Government travel restrictions have forced the cancellation of your Ryanair flight(s) under booking reference:: (removed).

Please see below details of your travel voucher for (removed), the full value of your unused booking. This amount can be used for the purchase of Ryanair flights and other services at any time over the next 12 months. It is simple to use this voucher when making a booking on the Ryanair website or app.

(removed)

If you do not wish to accept this voucher option and wish to move your flight or request a refund, please click here to contact us. Please note that as our customer care agents are required to work from home to limit the spread of COVID-19 virus, payment security restrictions prevent us from processing refunds as quickly as we would like to.

We invite you to use your voucher to book your next trip and we look forward to seeing you again on a Ryanair flight in the near future. Passengers who made their bookings using travel agents, or on line travel agencies should contact these companies from where they purchased their tickets to find out more about their options.

The contact us link (https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/refund-voucher) no longer offers a link to a form for a cash refund; just a request to talk to the chatbot.

paddy19 · 17-04-2020 8:39pm

Noxegon wrote: »

I requested a refund on 20th March.

Today I have received a voucher that must be used by 17th April 2021.

The contact us link (https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/refund-voucher) no longer offers a link to a form for a cash refund; just a request to talk to the chatbot.

The request refund form is still available at:

https://refundclaims.ryanair.com/

Leprechaun77 · 17-04-2020 8:47pm

I got the above email this evening too and I just find it incredibly frustrating and arrogant. Whilst I understand there may be cashflow issues in the short term, I have already specifically requested a refund and they are just messing around. They make it impossible to actually opt back in for a refund by directing you to a chat-bot....it’s like going around in a circle and just serves to frustrate, which I assume is their plan.

They have already proven that they are morally deficient by charging people more to change their flights through the portal on their website, as opposed to just booking a fresh flight through the main website. It looks like they have taken it upon themselves to decide what the laws should be, as opposed to even entering discussions with consumer representative bodies and government to see if there may be any other solutions based on these exceptional circumstances.

vandriver · 17-04-2020 8:52pm

Eu 261 says that the refund has to be made in 7 days.In the current circumstances,could you do a charge back?

Noxegon · 17-04-2020 9:07pm

paddy19 wrote: »

The request refund form is still available at:

https://refundclaims.ryanair.com/

Doesn't work any more (and did when I first applied...):

"Unfortunately we cannot process your application for one of the following reasons:
The airline code selected does not match the airline of any of the flights for this booking."

polarbearhead · 17-04-2020 9:16pm

I’m after getting the vouchers and I requested a cash refund. What can we do now that there appears to be no link to apply for the cash refund again?

Shivvs · 17-04-2020 9:22pm

Guys any idea how far in advance Ryan Air advise of cancelation, myself and family have flights booked for the 9th of May and so far only got an email to say we can change the dates?

Judging by the sounds of this thread we’ve a long wait ahead to get a refund so would like to get the ball rolling.

yankinlk · 17-04-2020 9:36pm

polarbearhead wrote: »

I’m after getting the vouchers and I requested a cash refund. What can we do now that there appears to be no link to apply for the cash refund again?

Arrogant is right. No link to a new refund. More a threat. Sure you can ASK for a refund but we will try everything to prevent you getting it. Hey look here is a CHATBOT. I'm assuming that bot is programmed to present even more hurdles and obstacles for anyone to try and get money back.

How can they on one hand say no refund until pandemic is over... but on the other hand start ticking down the days of a timed refund.......

naughtysmurf · 17-04-2020 9:36pm

Can you do a credit card charge back on flights purchased in Dec 19 & Jan 20 for flights in June & September 2020 that may be cancelled considering the 6 & 9 months time between booking & travel if they are cancelled?
Thanks

Sheep Shagger · 17-04-2020 9:40pm

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Can you do a credit card charge back on flights purchased in Dec 19 & Jan 20 for flights in June & September 2020 that may be cancelled considering the 6 & 9 months time between booking & travel if they are cancelled?
Thanks

No, you only cancel after they were supposed to take off or after they were cancelled if you were not offered a refund as they could still happen.

waxmelts2000 · 17-04-2020 9:43pm

Can I do a charge back on flights from out March 22 return March 27 that Ryan air cancelled please?

naughtysmurf · 17-04-2020 9:44pm

Probably worded poorly, I meant if after Ryanair officially cancel, there is some 120 day rule I believe, not sure if this is from the time of booking or time of cancellation

Sheep Shagger · 17-04-2020 10:39pm

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Probably worded poorly, I meant if after Ryanair officially cancel, there is some 120 day rule I believe, not sure if this is from the time of booking or time of cancellation

Time of cancellation normally (you just have to prove you tried contacting the airline by say email as part of the chargeback application process). Timefrane should on on the form you'll find on your banks website (Google it).

Ryanair and their cancellations

Comments