Shameless Airline Profiteering

[CrapAtCryptics]

As some of you may know we are in Perth returning tomorrow. We managed to get an alternative one way flight via Doha for 303 each 6 days ago - that flight is now £1200 each. The record goes to Qantas, a one way trip back to Uk direct previously £780 is currently on sale at £5475.

I believe we will be offered vouchers for our original return flights but as we wont be using those airlines for 2-3 years they are essentially worthless - I`d be interested in NJs opinion as to whether I have to accept a worthless voucher or can insist on a cash refund.

[New Judge]

I think it might depend whether the airline was obliged to provide a refund under their terms or some sort of travel agreement (e.g. ATOL) or whether they are doing so ex-gratia. If the latter I imagine you're stuffed.

[sandyRoe]

I believe there are some tickets available from Malaga to the UK for nearly £1000.
Dick Turpin wore a mask.

[New Judge]

Supply and demand, I'm afraid.

[teacake44]

Your only seeing the very start of the greed, I'm sure it will get a lot worse.

[237SJ]

Last minute economy fares are always very expensive - almost as expensive as Business class. Most people don't pay those fares of course. Was the Qantas flight that you were quoted for the non stop Perth London?

[CrapAtCryptics]

No the non stop was the 5475 a few days ago, but today 2375 still 3 times normal price

[237SJ]

There's not really a normal price but I get your point. I remember going to Bangkok after some or other disaster and people ssid to me "You would cry if you knew how little we paid for our tickets" It was so cheap that they were only going for a long weekend. (And I know exactly what they were going there for and it wasn't the shopping) Glad you can get home though as borders are closing rapidly. I reckon we are will be lucky to get out of where we are at the moment

[wolf63]

237SJ where are you?

[237SJ]

A long way away. One minute I was sitting down eating a McDonalds sausage and egg mcmuffin on stand by and then minute I was called to go to the other side of the world. When we got here, our little faces dropped when someone turned on their phone and said we might not get out of here.

[tonyav]

WOW, stay safe 237SJ. Hope you all get home soon.

[237SJ]

Thank you. I'm sure there will be some sort of contingency plan if it all goes pear shaped. Wouldn't be the first time I've been caught up in 'stuff'

[237SJ]

CrapAtCryptics - have a safe flight.

[Mamyalynne]

You and your fellow crew members stay safe 237. x

[CrapAtCryptics]

We have masks, gels etc and our doha stopover is very brief so hopefully all will go well - then there will be a 14 day self isolation which one of our neighbours has, already, stocked us up where possible. many thank for your good wishes. The next battle starts trying to get a refund on flights cancelled around us.

[Buenchico]

The very lowest industry estimates are that 30% of airlines worldwide will go bust due to Covid-19. The highest estimates are closer to 80%. Every airline needs to maximise their current income simply in order to stay alive. They have no choice: if they don't charge high fares they'll go bust.

[Canary42]

So once again poor old Joe Public has to bail out the super-rich when things go wrong (remember 2008).

[237SJ]

I have encountered customers who are wearing masks. The masks muffle their speech and I can't hear a word they say so we have to lean really close together to converse which kind of defeats the object. Don't worry about Covid too much - you'll be fine

[bhg481]

The travel expert on the BBC this morning said that, if the airline cancels the flight you are entitled to a refund; they might offer you a voucher but you can insist on a refund. If you decide you are not going to travel (eg, because you might get stuck somewhere) then you are only entitled to a voucher.

[KARL]

If your flight was booked to the UK as a single ticket then, as the UK remains for now in the EU, EU law applies.

The law says that any flight originating and/or terminating within the EU comes under the strictures of the law. The law says that the airline must offer a refund, not a voucher but a refund. I am not entirely clear but I think they can offer you an alternative flight but if you turn that down you are still entitled to a full refund of the originally paid fare. I am pretty sure that you can find the full wording and/or an "essential points" of the law on various sites if you google "EU passenger rights". There are other points involved, such as delays, etc., but you will at this point be most interested in cancellation.

If your original travel back was a composite of two or more flights then the law only applies to the last one/part. If it was a single ticket of connecting flights but with the same airline then there may just possibly be some wiggle room for the airline on everything but the last one - get advice, there is a unit in the UK (the CAA I think) which processes claims and gives advice. If it was a case of separate airlines then you only have a claim against the last one. Airlines did not like the law when it came out (no surprise) and did various things to thwart it, others dislike it simply because it is an EU law. Ryanair famously ended up in court and lost, others still try to fob people off with vouchers.

My advice to you at this point would be to refuse the voucher(s) and clearly state in writing that you want the matter dealt with in accordance with EU law (in the wording watching out for the risk of cutting yourself off regarding any non-EU flight). On return to the UK, approach the claims authority with your claim and request for advice.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Please to announce we made it back to the Uk via Doha - many kudos to Qatar airways for finding us a second leg flight after British Airways cancelled theirs without telling anyone - ptuuui.
As for self isolating looks like everyone is doing it so good luck to you all, hope you have plenty to keep you occupied at home.