Hi Ladies
We were due to travel to the USA on 12 April and sadly this has been cancelled due to COVID -19.
We are struggling to get a refund and they want to offer vouchers. Whilst this would usually be acceptable to us given my condition, I may not be fit for travel in the future if and when this is all over.
Do you have any suggestions ladies?
Kind regards
Jo xx
Oh, gosh, what a shame! Have you told them about your health situation? They're dealing with so many cancellations, I'm sure, and they need a set rule. But you're in a unique position...maybe if they escalate it they can break from what the rule book says?
I had the same situation with both cruise ship and air-flights, but luckily I had not yet paid the credit card bill. I notified the credit card and explained why I didn't want to pay, so they put the charges on suspension until I could work out something. My trip was not scheduled until mid May. I wrote a letter to the cruise line and told them I was Stage 4 cancer and in treatment, with a compromised immune system, etc., and that they probably would not want me on their boat anyway as they would not be able to insure me a safe environment. They got back to me right away and offered to cancel the trip, less a $200 cancellation fee, which was my initial deposit. That was worth it to me as this was a $6,000+ trip. In regard to the airlines, had to send an e-mail and request cancellation and have not yet heard from them. Our flight was within the USA and ordinarily non-refundable, but I understand some of the airlines are offering vouchers due to the Corona virus.
In your case, it sounds as though you are not in the USA, and considering we are on travel restriction for both incoming and outgoing, they may not even be able to deliver you a flight on April 12, and more particularly if they cancelled, it would appear you would be entitled to a refund. I would think a letter to them explaining why a voucher is not acceptable under your conditions would be worth your time. However, I don't think these refunds are coming too fast.
Kind of crappy that they still are charging you the $200 cancellation fee in lieu of the situation. It should not matter if you have cancer or not, there is a virus being spread and people do not want to be on a cruise ship right now and that is close quarters.
You should name the airlines. I read where some airlines are better at offering full refunds to other while some other airlines are playing hardball and only offering credit vouchers but that if you push a bit, you may be able to get the refund. They are losing money but heck if you name the airline, people will remember this.
Plus, I think it depends when you purchased the ticket (from what I read.)
Hi, we were due to go to Poland in a couple of weeks and Easyjet are offering us a swap until next February. We don’t want that. We are going to hang on because if they cancel we should get our money back. Not much help I know but I will keep you posted. Take care.
I would think that any business would not want bad publicity about how they are treating someone with advanced cancer! Mentioning the possibility of contcting local TV news, your governmental representative, involving your lawyer brother (whether you have one or not) might put a bee in their bonnet!
Hi,
I have the same thing happening but I bought the highest travel insurance they had so they said I could get full refund for cash.. My friend also has breast cancer and did not get insurance had her doctor fill out a form they have a d she is suppose to get cash refund also now although we haven't seem it yet..I am hoping when all this is pandemic is over we will feel good enough to travel..you have to hound them..good luck!!!
Roxanne
If you are in the uk as I understand it as the uk government has advised against all international travel you should get a full refund. The same happened to some friends, they were also initially offered vouchers in place of a refund. My friend contacted the airline, rejected the vouchers and demanded a refund. If you have paid by credit card you should also contact them and ask them to intervene as they also have liability.
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