Most of the questions I’ve been getting from readers lately concern how to get refunded for a canceled flight. As you may know by now some of the U.S. airlines had been until recently playing games with passengers (ahem, United and JetBlue). The Department of Transportation (DOT) received so many complaints that it had to come out with an enforcement notice. You can see that notice here. Here, meanwhile, is my experience calling five different North American airlines trying to get my money back for March, April and May trips. If your canceled flight was operated by a U.S. carrier, the DOT notice applies to you.
In fact, if your flight was supposed to fly to, from or within the U.S., it doesn’t matter where the operating airline is based. If it canceled your flight, it needs to give you a full refund according to the DOT. But what about flights within Europe? Reader Simon L. asked this question on our “A Trick to Get Your Money Back From Airlines That Canceled Your Flight” post:
“What is the situation with dealing with European airlines? We had one-way tickets from Dubrovnik to London Gatwick with EasyJet for early April. The flight has been canceled. I have requested a full refund from EasyJet citing European regulation 261 but on their website, they are saying they are giving credits only. The tickets were purchased more than 60 days ago so disputing the charge with my CC probably won’t work and, at this point, a voucher is not going to do much good if we don’t get back to Europe this year. Any suggestions?”
My answer: Can you get refunded for a canceled European flight?
I have to say that I wasn’t 100% sure of the answer, so I went searching. But I found that the latest on this question—on how to get refunded for a canceled European flight—is encouraging. As written in a recent Reuters story, “Airlines must reimburse customers for flights cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union transport chief said on Wednesday, rejecting calls by carriers to relax EU rules and allow an EU-wide waiver of refund obligations.”
It seems that the airlines are concerned that issuing so many refunds will drain them of money. For now, that isn’t enough to get them out of their obligation to refund, and not issue credits to, passengers on flights that have been canceled due to the COVID-19 situation.
Have you tried to get refunded for a canceled European flight?
Did you receive a refund? Did the airline give you a hard time? Please share your experience in the comments!
Have your own tip? Email it to whitney@johnnyjet.com!
Want to see more tips? Click here for all 1,685!
Want even more travel tips? Sign up here for the Daily Travel Tip newsletter! Enter your email address and check “Daily Travel Tip” to receive Johnny’s best tips in your inbox each day!
If you already subscribe to our weekly newsletter, you can sign up on the same page. Just fill in your email and check “Daily Travel Tip” on the same page. You’ll receive an email with a link to update your JohnnyJet.com preferences. On that page, just click the Daily Travel Tip box and Update Profile.
In addition to getting airline refunds, how about travel insurance? I am having difficulty in getting my premium refund from Travel Guard. All of my trip was cancelled. They are offering just a one shot voucher use within two years, but no refund.
Good question. Some readers are having luck so call back and speak to a different agent or ask for a supervisor
I purchased 2 tickets ftom Orbitz for a flight on China Eastern ftom Shanghai to Beijing in August to catch a cruise which has since been cancelled I tried calling Orbitz numerous times and they say on voice mail to call only 72 hours before flight . Flight is 4 months away and ticket cost is 400 dollars for 2 tickets which I need money now . I called China Eastern snd they say call Orbitz not their problem. What should I do
When did you buy the tickets? If in the last 60 days call your credit card company and do a chargeback. Lesson learned: Don’t book through a third party next time unless it’s a great deal. These OTAs are going to get hammered
I putchased