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> She was entitled to a refund or vouchers. Is this true? Many (most?) airlines offered vouchers en masse when they had to cancel most flights during COVID, wi

> She was entitled to a refund or vouchers. Is this true? Many (most?) airlines offered vouchers en masse when they had to cancel most flights during COVID, with no option for full refunds.

ceejayoz 4y ago
In the US, airline-canceled or "significantly delayed" flights (as opposed to passenger-canceled) are entitled to a full refund. The airline will not tend to tell you this, and they'll resist quite a bit, but you're legally entitled to one, even on a non-refundable ticket. https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/refunds https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer... UK seems to be the same: https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/cancellations/ https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/d... > If your cancelled is covered by UK law, your airline must let you choose between two options: > 1. Receive a refund > 2. Choose an alternative flight
danpalmer 4y ago
Yes, the UK has good consumer protections for this.
throwaway8689 4y ago
Keep in mind UK law. The airline cancelled so the customer can insist on cash refund. I spent a week or two messaging with BA via Twitter DMs to ensure I got a cash refund, rather than dealing with their website which was steering everyone to vouchers.
fy20 4y ago
Under EU law (this was before Brexit) you are entitled to a full refund if the flight is cancelled by the airline. If the flight is cancelled less than two weeks before departure you are also entitled to compensation of a few hundred Euro. I actually got a cash refund from Ryanair, although it took a long time and at every stage they recommended I take vouchers that would have expired after 12 months instead.
- danpalmer 4y ago
  It's still British law for now. I've not heard that it's planned to be cut in the mass-cut of EU laws, but given that it's pro-consumer it may well be.

> She was entitled to a refund or vouchers. Is this true? Many (most?) airlines offered vouchers en masse when they had to cancel most flights during COVID, with no option for full refunds.

ceejayoz 4y ago

In the US, airline-canceled or "significantly delayed" flights (as opposed to passenger-canceled) are entitled to a full refund. The airline will not tend to tell you this, and they'll resist quite a bit, but you're legally entitled to one, even on a non-refundable ticket. https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/refunds https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer... UK seems to be the same: https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/cancellations/ https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/d... > If your cancelled is covered by UK law, your airline must let you choose between two options: > 1. Receive a refund > 2. Choose an alternative flight

danpalmer 4y ago

Yes, the UK has good consumer protections for this.

throwaway8689 4y ago

Keep in mind UK law. The airline cancelled so the customer can insist on cash refund. I spent a week or two messaging with BA via Twitter DMs to ensure I got a cash refund, rather than dealing with their website which was steering everyone to vouchers.

fy20 4y ago

Under EU law (this was before Brexit) you are entitled to a full refund if the flight is cancelled by the airline. If the flight is cancelled less than two weeks before departure you are also entitled to compensation of a few hundred Euro. I actually got a cash refund from Ryanair, although it took a long time and at every stage they recommended I take vouchers that would have expired after 12 months instead.

danpalmer 4y ago
It's still British law for now. I've not heard that it's planned to be cut in the mass-cut of EU laws, but given that it's pro-consumer it may well be.