We’re seeing a lot of airlines downright playing games with the law. United Airlines
and British Airways are among two that are either making it tremendously difficult (BA) or impossible (United) to get a cash refund for a cancelled flight.
It should be obvious, right? No flight = full refund. No matter the reason. A service isn’t being provided, the contract is void, and a refund is due.
But three airlines have taken a rather genius approach to doing the right thing while still trying to hold onto your cash. The difference is that they will pay you do so so, in the form of additional voucher credit.
In this article
Frontier started the wave with this offer for $50:
FOR BOOKINGS MARCH 23 – JUNE 17
Cancel your flight by March 25 and receive $50 per person in vouchers for future travel.
When you cancel your booking for travel between March 22 and June 17, 2020 by March 25, 2020 you will be eligible to receive a $50 per person voucher for future travel. Your $50 per person voucher can be redeemed through December 31, 2020, for travel through the end of Frontier’s then available schedule. This is in addition to a credit applicable to a future Frontier flight for the full amount of your unused ticket.
Now, two more airlines have joined in:
Qatar will give you a 10% additional credit on your voucher if you are due a refund.
And why not? They need your cash now and you may be inclined to use the credit later. If not, take your refund. It will certainly add to their kitty. (HT: VFTW)
American Airlines is actually offering a 20% additional voucher credit.
This one is not yet a public offer, but apparently it’s an offer that agents are making and, if your flight was cancelled, you should be able to ask for it. (HT: OMAAT)
I think at 20%, this is something I could consider. Somehow 10% doesn’t move the needle for me, but 20% does.
Would you take a voucher bonus in exchange for a voucher instead of a full cash refund??
Let me know here, on Twitter, or in the private MilesTalk Facebook group.
You can find credit cards that best match your spending habits and bonus categories at Your Best Credit Cards.
New to all of this? The MilesTalk “introduction to miles and points” book, MilesTalk: Live Your Wildest Travel Dreams Using Miles and Points is available on Amazon and at major booksellers.
