Ryanair and their cancellations

Roger_007 · 04-04-2020 11:42am

Geuze wrote: »

I rang the call centre just there, and was surprised to get through quickly.

If flight not cancelled, then no refund.

I told him we can't go more than 2km from house, he said fill out the refund application form.

That form won't work as it rejects the flight number.

Check the email that you got when you made the original booking. I couldn’t get it to work either but when I checked the original email I discovered that my name had been converted to block capitals. I put the info in exactly as it appeared on the booking confirmation and everything worked fine then.

Geuze · 04-04-2020 12:01pm

The only solution is to change the dates.

IQO · 06-04-2020 9:21am

Did anyone on here already receive a refund for a cancelled flight at all? I'm waiting for 4 refunds at the moment, wondering how long it will take for them to get processed?

JimmyVik · 06-04-2020 9:29am

Im waiting on a refund from Ryanair now after the cancelled flights. Must about 3 weeks now and no refund. Even though I filled out their forms twice. Second time i got an email telling me not to fill them out again.

A friend had return flights booked with Ryanair. His outbound flight was cancelled. The return flight has not been cancelled.
He has heard nothing. So he couldnt fly out last week and the return flight is coming back to Ireland in a day or so.

If he cant get abroad because his flight was cancelled how on earth is the flight home any use to him.

maestroamado · 06-04-2020 9:38am

adam88 wrote: »

Arou entitled to anything if they cancel one part of your booking. They cancelled her return flight and leave her outbound one as is despite dfa advising against travel to Spain. Seems to me like a money making racket.

Is this two separate bookings?
My understanding is if its the same booking they have to give the option of refund for both.
I am thinking you likely got separate notification and in spam, promo etc...
Also did you get the option of re-booking?

I would have thought the EU regulator should be saying if whole flight cancelled the refunds be automatic but it may not be as simple as that.
I expect it be a nightmare having to go through refunds individually.
I have a refund (EasyJet) from January and they have removed the automated option from the cancelled flight, i sent an email last week and got no reply. I did not apply for refund as i wanted to use for other flight but when i went to use option not there.
It's not important as it was a cheap flight...

06-04-2020 9:59am

Geuze wrote: »

I rang the call centre just there, and was surprised to get through quickly.

If flight not cancelled, then no refund.

I told him we can't go more than 2km from house, he said fill out the refund application form.

That form won't work as it rejects the flight number.

Aer Lingus is the same. I imagine all airlines are the same to be fair.

Your flight isn’t cancelled, it is still operating. It is you choosing not to travel not them. They in fairness are allowing free changes to later dates, I would suggest selecting a weekend at some time in the future and just going for a weekend away.

In normal circumstances I know of no airline that will allow you a 100% refund just because you are choosing not to fly. Yes this isn’t normal circumstances but they acknowledged that by offering free changes on all flights during the period and full refunds for those cancelled.

Emirates greed is matched by Etihads rip off prices for repatriation flights.

maestroamado · 06-04-2020 10:09am

Geuze wrote: »

I rang the call centre just there, and was surprised to get through quickly.

If flight not cancelled, then no refund.

I told him we can't go more than 2km from house, he said fill out the refund application form.

That form won't work as it rejects the flight number.

You raise an interesting point as Government says we cannot travel.
This has nothing to do with Airlines, i think there needs be clarity on this.

LiamaDelta · 06-04-2020 1:51pm

maestroamado wrote: »

You raise an interesting point as Government says we cannot travel.
This has nothing to do with Airlines, i think there needs be clarity on this.

The DFA just 'advises' it doesn't instruct. The advise is not to travel unless essential. From the airlines point of view, they are facilitating the essential travel.

FionnK86 · 06-04-2020 2:36pm

I had flights cancelled via email on 20/3 but no refund yet, refund application form said 5-7 days, so should've been back for 31/3.

I've chatted to Ryanair chat twice, but no update really just that they're busy.

I'd say they're trying to spread out the cash flow but has anyone had similar experience?

Seweryn · 06-04-2020 2:59pm

They say that they will refund within 28 days.

JimmyVik · 06-04-2020 3:08pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

I had flights cancelled via email on 20/3 but no refund yet, refund application form said 5-7 days, so should've been back for 31/3.

I've chatted to Ryanair chat twice, but no update really just that they're busy.

I'd say they're trying to spread out the cash flow but has anyone had similar experience?

Exactly same experience as yourself.
I applied for the refund a second time and i got an email saying dont do it again. No money though

FionnK86 · 06-04-2020 3:51pm

Seweryn wrote: »

They say that they will refund within 28 days.

Thanks Seweryn, I didn't see that - I'll have a look now. Suppose their's some EU261 obligation but don't think I'd be in position to argue with them.

IngazZagni · 06-04-2020 3:58pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

Thanks Seweryn, I didn't see that - I'll have a look now. Suppose their's some EU261 obligation but don't think I'd be in position to argue with them.

EU261 does not apply in these circumstances. However a refund should be due on all cancelled flights including were only 1 leg of a return was cancelled assuming it is part of the same booking.

Seweryn · 06-04-2020 4:08pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

Thanks Seweryn, I didn't see that - I'll have a look now. Suppose their's some EU261 obligation but don't think I'd be in position to argue with them.

No worries. I was told that when chatting on their online chat. I am also awaiting their refund.

FionnK86 · 06-04-2020 4:27pm

I'm a bit worried they might change law so that they won't have to issue a refund but give vouchers, from below linked article.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/coronavirus-response-air-passengers-could-lose-refund-right-under-government-plans-1.4221974?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Flife-and-style%2Ftravel%2Fcoronavirus-response-air-passengers-could-lose-refund-right-under-government-plans-1.4221974

Thespoofer · 06-04-2020 4:48pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

I'm a bit worried they might change law so that they won't have to issue a refund but give vouchers, from below linked article.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/coronavirus-response-air-passengers-could-lose-refund-right-under-government-plans-1.4221974?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Flife-and-style%2Ftravel%2Fcoronavirus-response-air-passengers-could-lose-refund-right-under-government-plans-1.4221974

Can they do this?

Inquitus · 06-04-2020 5:01pm

Thespoofer wrote: »

Can they do this?

If it prevents Airlines going out of business, then its a wise, if unpopular, step to take.

maestroamado · 06-04-2020 5:05pm

I doubt if our Government can do without EU approval but it is possible the EU can and will do.
The long term economy of tourism will take precedent over the rights of the individual.
We are just being got read for what is likely coming.

EasyJet are having the same problem with cancellations/refunds as Ryanair...

Thespoofer · 06-04-2020 5:38pm

Inquitus wrote: »

If it prevents Airlines going out of business, then its a wise, if unpopular, step to take.

So they get paid, in advance to provide a service.

The service is cancelled so no pilots, cabin crew, fuel, maintenance, landing fees etc etc to pay for by airline but let them keep the money.
Am I missing something here or what?

ShamrockAir · 06-04-2020 6:06pm

Im hoping someone can help. I had 2 flights booked with Ryanair which have being cancelled. Im entitled to a refund but unfortunately the card I used to book the flights with was lost 2 weeks ago and cancelled.

Does anyone know what will happen if I apply for the refund or whagt I need to do next,

Inquitus · 06-04-2020 6:23pm

Thespoofer wrote: »

So they get paid, in advance to provide a service.

The service is cancelled so no pilots, cabin crew, fuel, maintenance, landing fees etc etc to pay for by airline but let them keep the money.
Am I missing something here or what?

Airplane lease fees, parking fees, Owned aircraft depreciation, ongoing maintenance requirements for grounded airplanes. The costs to the airlines are massive, their fixed costs are massive.

Thespoofer · 06-04-2020 6:31pm

Inquitus wrote: »

Airplane lease fees, parking fees, Owned aircraft depreciation, ongoing maintenance requirements for grounded airplanes. The costs to the airlines are massive, their fixed costs are massive.

Its still not fair.

I'm waiting on a refund approx €1500 ( refund application sent since March 21).
Temporary laid off so now one of the Covid350 brigade. The difference in this payment means clearing my credit card or not.

If Ryanair pays my money back, I'll travel again with them no problem, if not that's it, calling a day on them.

Thespoofer · 06-04-2020 6:33pm

Thespoofer wrote: »

Its still not fair.

I'm waiting on a refund approx €1500 ( refund application sent since March 21).
Temporary laid off so now one of the Covid350 brigade. The difference in this payment means clearing my credit card or not.

If Ryanair pays my money back, I'll travel again with them no problem, if not that's it, calling a day on them.

Actually come to think of it, maybe I can claim a refund on my credit card if Ryanair hold out?

Inquitus · 06-04-2020 6:40pm

Thespoofer wrote: »

Actually come to think of it, maybe I can claim a refund on my credit card if Ryanair hold out?

That's defo the best way to go, you should be able to get all the money back if your CC has decent protections.

Pat Dunne · 07-04-2020 1:40am

Inquitus wrote: »

Airplane lease fees, parking fees, Owned aircraft depreciation, ongoing maintenance requirements for grounded airplanes. The costs to the airlines are massive, their fixed costs are massive.

Their fixed costs are massive. As are their profits of €1,000,000,000 for 2020 financial year. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesasquith/2020/04/06/ryanair-still-expects-to-make-1-billion-profit-in-2020-financial-year/

FionnK86 · 07-04-2020 7:30am

Inquitus wrote: »

Airplane lease fees, parking fees, Owned aircraft depreciation, ongoing maintenance requirements for grounded airplanes. The costs to the airlines are massive, their fixed costs are massive.

It’s more than likely they’ve received a rent holiday on their lease fees, the lessors have been very understanding at this time.

Depreciation is balanced by Boeing’s likely reduced price offer on the Max’s when they’re back in the air. Ryanair will be one of few looking so they’ll get a good deal.

The ongoing cost of maintenance would be high, with a few calendar check items expiring and parking fees too, but nothing over the income from ticket sales.

I do agree that Airlines fixed costs are huge & government needs to step in, with a wage agreement so staff can be retained without impacting daily cash flow, but the lack of communication from Ryanair looks as if they’re holding out for some voucher form of reimbursement from the EU instead of paying customers their money.

They’d easy push fares up to negate voucher then.

john boye · 07-04-2020 11:19am

Probably not the place to post this but father in law has applied for a refund for a cancelled flight which he paid for using PayPal with a bank card which has since expired. Will that cause a problem if/when they go to refund him?

Cookiemunster · 07-04-2020 11:22am

john boye wrote: »

Probably not the place to post this but father in law has applied for a refund for a cancelled flight which he paid for using PayPal with a bank card which has since expired. Will that cause a problem if/when they go to refund him?

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.

pablo57 · 07-04-2020 11:22am

ShamrockAir wrote: »

Im hoping someone can help. I had 2 flights booked with Ryanair which have being cancelled. Im entitled to a refund but unfortunately the card I used to book the flights with was lost 2 weeks ago and cancelled.

Does anyone know what will happen if I apply for the refund or whagt I need to do next,

Should be fine. The money will just be refunded to the new card linked to the same account.

Happened to me recently with an expired credit card.

maestroamado · 07-04-2020 11:48am

I was having a look about this, this seems to be the way it's going.

https://simpleflying.com/lufthansa-vouchers-refund

I expect the airlines are stalling for a week or so.
To paraphrase Charlton Heston, if you want your money back you will have to take it from their cold, dead hands.

JimmyVik · 07-04-2020 2:28pm

maestroamado wrote: »

I was having a look about this, this seems to be the way it's going.

https://simpleflying.com/lufthansa-vouchers-refund

I expect the airlines are stalling for a week or so.
To paraphrase Charlton Heston, if you want your money back you will have to take it from their cold, dead hands.

I guess chargeback on credit cards is the way forward.
The last thing I want are Ryanair vouchers.
People buy those things for people they hate

maestroamado · 07-04-2020 7:47pm

JimmyVik wrote: »

I guess chargeback on credit cards is the way forward.
The last thing I want are Ryanair vouchers.
People buy those things for people they hate

This is getting to be live issue.
I am wondering if anyone contacted credit card re-refund, i am just wondering where they at on this one.
I expect to have a cancelled flight in the coming days but i will opt to change.
Nobody ever hated me enough to buy me a flight.

Thespoofer · 07-04-2020 9:31pm

maestroamado wrote: »

This is getting to be live issue.
I am wondering if anyone contacted credit card re-refund, i am just wondering where they at on this one.
I expect to have a cancelled flight in the coming days but i will opt to change.
Nobody ever hated me enough to buy me a flight.

I contacted my credit card provider (AIB) today and explained situation.
Basically told me if airline offered a credit note of some sort then the bank won't be offering to cancel the payment.

Caranica · 09-04-2020 1:24am

I'm at the end of my tether with Ryanair. Was due to go to Italy 20.03. Outbound and return flights cancelled 10.03. Two emails arrived that evening (one for each leg) offering me rescheduling or refund. Outbound, no problem, refund to my Paypal account instantly. Did think the amount was odd (less than half of what I'd paid) but figured the return flight must have been more expensive. Return leg, refund would not work.Tried many times, app and several browsers. Got on to their twitter folk who sent me a refund form to complete and assured me that I would get the full balance refunded (the amount on the second email meant I was over €20 down on what I'd paid) as soon as possible.

No sign of the money, and now unemployed, I contacted them on their live chat last week. Was told that there was a paypal problem and that it would be resubmitted but would take up to 28 days to be paid. I disputed this given that the first refund was instant. No luck.

Then tonight I received an email from Ryanair with a voucher, telling me that if I wanted a refund I would have to wait until this pandemic was over!! I can't understand why there's a problem in the first place, both flights were absolutely cancelled and before things went really crazy. I got a partial refund instantly but now they want me to wait indefinitely - cos I'm definitely not taking the voucher. This is really not acceptable.

adam88 · 09-04-2020 7:28am

The regulator is very silent on this matter. It’s a pity really. All they had to do was get tough with Ryanair once

JimmyVik · 09-04-2020 9:03am

Caranica wrote: »

I'm at the end of my tether with Ryanair. Was due to go to Italy 20.03. Outbound and return flights cancelled 10.03. Two emails arrived that evening (one for each leg) offering me rescheduling or refund. Outbound, no problem, refund to my Paypal account instantly. Did think the amount was odd (less than half of what I'd paid) but figured the return flight must have been more expensive. Return leg, refund would not work.Tried many times, app and several browsers. Got on to their twitter folk who sent me a refund form to complete and assured me that I would get the full balance refunded (the amount on the second email meant I was over €20 down on what I'd paid) as soon as possible.

No sign of the money, and now unemployed, I contacted them on their live chat last week. Was told that there was a paypal problem and that it would be resubmitted but would take up to 28 days to be paid. I disputed this given that the first refund was instant. No luck.

Then tonight I received an email from Ryanair with a voucher, telling me that if I wanted a refund I would have to wait until this pandemic was over!! I can't understand why there's a problem in the first place, both flights were absolutely cancelled and before things went really crazy. I got a partial refund instantly but now they want me to wait indefinitely - cos I'm definitely not taking the voucher. This is really not acceptable.

They owe me €550 so far and I filled in the refund forms twice now at this stage, First time was 25 days ago and nada.

I have two more sets of return flights booked of €450 and €430 for flights in the summer which havent been cancelled yet. I am assuming they wont be flying by then.

I dont want a voucher off them for €1500 worth of flight with them that will have some sh1tty terms and conditions attached to them, so much so that I will not be able to use them for any flights I want. If i even want flights.

You could be sitting there with vouchers you cant use until they expire or the airline goes bust. Either way there is a high chance you lose your money with vouchers. I gave them cash for a service they did not deliver. I want cash back. If I feel like it I will pay them that cash again for flights in the future, but it is not their cash at all.

This is not on at all form the airlines.

maestroamado · 09-04-2020 9:06am

adam88 wrote: »

The regulator is very silent on this matter. It’s a pity really. All they had to do was get tough with Ryanair once

Getting tough with the general airline industry at the moment is not going to happen as even the bigger ones looking for support, Ryanair has said prett ok. I was told by someone told me EasyJet about 3 months, Lufthansa looking for support. Both the German and Dutch Governments are in support of vouchers, they have two of the bigger carriers in Europe.
If Governments EU enforce regulation it will fall back to them to try to help the Air carriers to carry the tourist money.
I fully expect i will be getting a voucher which is ok for me as cheap flight.
Now if i had put i couple of GRAND into a trip i likely be thinking different.

maestroamado · 09-04-2020 9:09am

Thespoofer wrote: »

I contacted my credit card provider (AIB) today and explained situation.
Basically told me if airline offered a credit note of some sort then the bank won't be offering to cancel the payment.

Thanks for that, i have being curious about this and i could not ask credit card company as i am not looking to get refund...

JimmyVik · 09-04-2020 10:36am

I posted this elsewhere. It might be useful

Right so eventually I got talking to someone in the CC company.
They said if I paid for the flights on the understanding that I would fly then the airline didnt deliver their end of the transaction, no matter what the reason, they cannot keep the money I paid. They cannot substitute the money I paid for other goods, eg vouchers either.

She said dont accept anything but a refund on my card if thats what I want.
When the date pf the flights passes I am to initiate a charge back on my card and they will take care of the rest. If I dont get the flights the money will go back onto my card basically.

I asked her did that apply to the issuer of my other card and she said I have to ring them and as, that she could not comment for them. So ring your own issuer and check.

Seweryn · 09-04-2020 10:43am

I believe we have to wait 30 days from the date of refund application before applying for the charge back, as that's what is stated on the form from the bank.

zweton · 09-04-2020 10:55am

Due to fly with them 1st of May, should I have heard from them regarding a refund or still a bit early?

maestroamado · 09-04-2020 10:55am

JimmyVik wrote: »

I posted this elsewhere. It might be useful

Right so eventually I got talking to someone in the CC company.
They said if I paid for the flights on the understanding that I would fly then the airline didnt deliver their end of the transaction, no matter what the reason, they cannot keep the money I paid. They cannot substitute the money I paid for other goods, eg vouchers either.

She said dont accept anything but a refund on my card if thats what I want.
When the date pf the flights passes I am to initiate a charge back on my card and they will take care of the rest. If I dont get the flights the money will go back onto my card basically.

I asked her did that apply to the issuer of my other card and she said I have to ring them and as, that she could not comment for them. So ring your own issuer and check.

What i read from all of that is the CC provider has the authority to return the money to our accounts if we enter a dispute with the Airline and it is confirmed we did not get the goods we paid for.
When they run out of money they will go bankrupt i assume, personally i think this has a bit to run but we see.

JimmyVik · 09-04-2020 11:14am

maestroamado wrote: »

What i read from all of that is the CC provider has the authority to return the money to our accounts if we enter a dispute with the Airline and it is confirmed we did not get the goods we paid for.
When they run out of money they will go bankrupt i assume, personally i think this has a bit to run but we see.

Yeah my take on it was that

Paid money for a flight.
Did not pay for a voucher.

Didnt get a flight. Deal broken.
Voucher is not cash.
Refund cash.
If not refunded credit card will refund it.

Airlines are still taking money for future flights so should have some cashflow anyway.

This is the model that they went for. Take cash early, spend it and deliver the flights afterwards. Things would be a lot better if they let people pay half and then pay the balance 4 weeks before travel. Then they wouldnt have spent the money for a flight they havent given the passenger yet.

If they keep frightening people that the vouchers will have conditions or that they wont pay cash then people will want the cash.

If they came out honestly now and said we are offering vouchers which have no conditions and are just like cash then a lot of people might settle for vouchers. But they wont.

IngazZagni · 09-04-2020 11:18am

zweton wrote: »

Due to fly with them 1st of May, should I have heard from them regarding a refund or still a bit early?

It looks like they haven’t officially cancelled any flights in May yet, however if you go on the website the vast majority of flights are showing as being sold out. These would be the flights earmarked for cancellation. I guess they will wait another little while before officially cancelling them.

Pat Dunne · 09-04-2020 2:01pm

Bought 3 flights from FR for late March and mid April.
Have received 3 notices of cancellation.
Have received 3 emails offering switching of flights for no fees.
Then received 3 emails with a unique link for each flight to start the process of refunds.
Returned each of the 3 emails requesting a refund.
Received 1 email yesterday saying that I going to have to wait a little longer for my refund application to be processed.
I expect two other similar emails today for my other two flights requesting me to be patient while they process my applications.

In all fairness its nothing more of the usual Corporate Customer Service sh1te, I’ve become accustomed to over recent decades.

Noxegon · 09-04-2020 6:49pm

Seems like it's vouchers now.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/europe/coronavirus-ryanair-suspends-refunds-and-offers-passengers-vouchers-instead-1.4225203

Sheep Shagger · 09-04-2020 6:51pm

Noxegon wrote: »

Seems like it's vouchers now.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/europe/coronavirus-ryanair-suspends-refunds-and-offers-passengers-vouchers-instead-1.4225203

Typical sensatational 'consumer' rubbish from Conor Pope. The headline says cash refunds are suspended then the next paragraph says they are possible if you wait (they would say that) but they'll issue vouchers straight away.

Refunds are not optional, it's European law.

No airline can avoid the chargeback route whether they like it or not if they refuse refunds.

easypazz · 09-04-2020 7:26pm

Noxegon wrote: »

Seems like it's vouchers now.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/europe/coronavirus-ryanair-suspends-refunds-and-offers-passengers-vouchers-instead-1.4225203

Pure rubbish article.

easypazz · 09-04-2020 7:28pm

As previously advised, our Customer Services Team are experiencing an unprecedented high volume of requests due to the COVID-19 crisis and we are prioritising our most vulnerable customers. This has been compounded by government public health restrictions on non-essential work travel which means we have less staff available to us during this busy time. Please rest assured your refund request is currently in the queue and will be processed.

No mention of refund suspended and no mention of taking a voucher.

I don't get the vulnerable customers bit, what are they exactly in terms of refunds?

maestroamado · 09-04-2020 8:07pm

The airlines work pretty like banking, the manage the money we have paid up front up to a year in advance, this is our invested money which is daily break even stuff.
Then the game starts and later booking, premium seats, priority. This is where they make the money.
I may get caught but i am hopeful i will be able to rebook, Anyone that bought a €9.99 flight will not be complaining if they can upgrade for free.

EasyJet.
I had flight booked with them to return May 1.
I got email today to say out flight cancelled so was given the option of free change which i have already done so all good.
Problem.
There is a middle aged man 80+ who lives abroad, he was using the fact that he could travel to the Airport abroad with us, i would take him from the Airport here and drop him at his daughters house, it make life easy as though he in good health not fit for this alone, he is originally from UK and daughter lives here. Also i booked the ticket i feel responsible for refund for him, it cost €100+ so i want to get him refund if he cannot travel, the refund option was not given on this flight as separate booking.
EasyJet are today selling tickets for May 1 so it seems to me they expect to be back up there.
Any advise as to do appreciated as he does not want to travel alone which is what i will first of all suggest and i pick-up at Airport.
I want to have plan B if he is uncomfortable with this.
I have a few thoughts but thought people here may advise.

many thanks

Ryanair and their cancellations

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