Paphos People

Cancelled Holiday Refund, In May it was 28 days before a refund then it was 31st July now it is September.

The influence of the airlines spreads far & wide!

Having declined the offer of vouchers, we asked for a refund within the 7-day period (as stipulated by EU Law) from the airline after receiving their notification of cancellation. The airline failed to comply.

We subsequently submitted a claim to BOC/Visa for 'chargeback' of the costs.
Yesterday we received a phone call from a manager of BOC bank (3-weeks post submittal of our claim) to say they would not be pursuing the claim as the cancellation was due to Covid-19!

As you can imagine our discourse with the bank is far from over, as we intend to formerly pursue their basis for not acting in the interest of their customer as per the contract with them/Visa.
It may be that they consider that our dispute should be continued directly with Visa, but this was not made clear in the telephone conversation.

We were particularly infuriated by the tone of this managers response & his choice to keep repeating "is that ok?".

Deciding to visit this individual when my temper has cooled, was considered a better course of action in pursuit of a constructive solution, rather than swearing at him over the phone.

TBC.

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I'll be back!

Easyjet cancelled our flights - we asked for a refund - it didn't happen - we initiated a chargeback from Amex - they reimbursed us.
We are in the UK

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J B

Sorry if I go off slightly with your topic but this was in today's news.

British Airways has been branded a “national disgrace” by MPs because of its response to the coronavirus crisis. A new report by from Transport Select Committee accuses the airline of taking advantage of the pandemic “to cut jobs and weaken the terms and conditions of its remaining employees”

Just look at what they are doing with their employees and that is only one airline, there are many more doing the same, in my opinion these airlines will not pay out as they should, they are losing millions and have not got the money to refund people, I know it is wrong but the ordinary person is up against corporate giants.

Here in the UK companies are getting shut of many jobs and using Covid 19 as a get out clause, a good time to bury bad news.

I feel as that there are many good people like yourself, will not get a penny back, if you do it will some time next year.

My son and daughter in law work for BA
BA is Spanish owned and not uk owned
This Spanish company have taken furloughed monies from the uk to the tune of 38 million as well as taking money from Spain
Knowing that they where going to change conditions from salaried to zero hours contracts alongside large wage cuts to their staff

the uk taxed public has just been taken for a ride
Which is why BA workers, the unions and government are up in arms

Why did our uk government give 38 million pounds to a Spanish company?

This was a planned move by Spanish owned B A to cut salaries and wages at a time of greatest need of their staff

Hi Migmogs - Did not know that, then sadly no one will get refunds.

No idea on refunds...just know absolutely that BA is Spanish owned and has been for at least 10 years
BA is not British owned at all

Nothing unusual about British Industry today.

As stated in our OP we are preparing to visit our bank concerning their refusal to process a 'Chargeback' claim from the airline that cancelled our flight arrangements.
After sending our questions to Visa directly, this is the response we received by return;

"Thank you for contacting Visa.

We regret to hear you are having problems.

Unfortunately, Visa cannot progress this case on your behalf since Visa does not have access to, or jurisdiction over, cardholder accounts.

It may help you if I explain the role of Visa. Banks join Visa to either issue cards to their customers (e.g. yourself) or sign up retailers to accept the cards. Our client issuing banks are responsible for all account management and billing inquiries. Account information is confidential and is regulated by the Terms and Conditions between client banks and their cardholders.

As Visa clients, the banks agree to abide by a set of rules and regulations. This ensures that the payment system works for everyone using it – wherever they are around the world. When the bank signs up a cardholder, they have to ensure that their terms and conditions accommodate the standard requirements of Visa.

As you are aware, in cases of disputed sale transactions, you may be eligible for a chargeback. Chargebacks are reversals of disputed sales transactions.

Visa chargeback rules and regulations apply to all Visa credit and debit cards. As a Visa cardholder you have a right to approach your bank and ask them to request a refund if the goods and services you purchased with your debit or credit card are not supplied as specified. This also applies in the case where a merchant ceases trading.

Please contact your card-issuing bank for detailed advice about chargebacks. You can contact them directly using the address or telephone number on your Visa statement, or on the back of your card.

Thank you for writing,

Johanna"

Consumer Support | Europe | http://www.visaeurope.com

ABOUT VISA – We are a payments business. We are not a bank and we do not issue cards. Nor are we a credit card company, so we do not lend or set the fees that consumers pay. We provide the brand, systems, services and rules that help make electronic payments between millions of consumers, businesses and governments happen. For more information, please visit our website. Please note that all consumer enquiries are handled by our Consumer Queries Team based in the United States of America. For more information on Visa’s privacy practices please visit the privacy page at https://www.visaeurope.com/privacy/

Our next step is to check the wording of the relevant law, to establish if the bank are compliant by their actions.

TBC

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I'll be back!

I was/am in a similar situation and was reading up on my rights the other day. There is not much in Cyprus law that I could find, but in the UK you have a legal right for a refund if you paid with a credit card. There is no legal right to a chargeback if you use a debit card, although most banks extend the rules to cover debit cards as well, but they are within their rights to decline a claim. Can't remember which site I read it on though, but I have a feeling it may have been the financial section of Mail Online.

Watching with interest as I had cancelled flights back in April using a UK mastercard read the terms and condition which said chargebacks have to be made with in 120 days of purchase I went with section 75 still waiting.The airline offered vouchers even though I requested refund.

Following a serious debate with my bank (BoC), my Chargeback Claim for a refund from our flight operator has now been activated as @ mid-Jun'20.

The expected long wait for conclusion of this process has begun.

I'll be staying on the case with Visa also, to try to exert as much pressure as possible to get my money back.

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I'll be back!

It will be interesting to see how you get on. The other bank may still refuse the chargeback in the current situation, especially as you aren't legally entitled to it. I wish you luck.

Why do you think that, oh 'wise' one?

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I'll be back!

On the basis that I have already told you why, I will happily accept your compliment!

Suggest you read my post again for a better understanding!

Be aware that my pursuit of a refund combines both the contractual obligations of the providers & consumer law. A fact recently proven by my successful debate with my bank.

I have no inclination to enlighten you, as your negative attitude is evident from your post.

At least I am following the procedures, the result remains to be decided by others.

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I'll be back!

You say negative and I say realistic. Sadly you seem to have a very aggressive attitude.

From moneysavingexpert.com.

"There's valuable hidden protection on Visa, Mastercard and Amex credit cards, as well as debit and charge cards. It's called 'chargeback' and means if you don't receive the goods you bought, you may be able to get your money back. This little-known scheme's taken on much more importance in recent weeks, as the coronavirus has led to a spate of cancellations, especially around flights and holidays.

However, chargeback isn't a legal protection, and card companies offer it at their own discretion."

Hi Effdu,

Not aggressive, just forthright!

Not my problem if you have a different view.

In anycase, time will reveal whether my ambition to pursue a refund was better than your defeatist strategy to give up before trying.

By the way 'Contractual' is a lawful agreement;

"A contract is a legally binding document that recognizes and governs the rights and duties of the parties to the agreement. A contract is legally enforceable because it meets the requirements and approval of the law. A contract typically involves the exchange of goods, service, money, or promise of any of those."

as is 'Consumer Law'.

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I'll be back!

Okay, let's give this one last go to get through to you.

Yes, you have a contract. Your contract is with the airline.

The bank is not part of that contract.

The bank do not have a legal obligation to refund you.

You shouting the odds with the bank, may stand a chance of getting you what you want, but does absolutely nothing to help the reputation of ex-pats in Cyprus. I tire of apologising to the Cypriots for rude and ill mannered Brits.

Finally, what on earth makes you think I gave up? I got the result that I wanted. I just didn't try and force the bank to do something they weren't obliged to do.

As you say, one last time for the slow boy at the back, obviously not paying attention!

If you could take the time to read & assimilate you will recall I said debate with the bank, not a shouting match.
That was imagined by you, no doubt to facilitate your abuse.

The contractual arrangement to which I refer involved a third party intermediary, namely Visa.

The bank were contacted to facilitate the Chargeback mechanism (which is the accepted practice), since the Visa Card was provided by them.

Got it now?

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I'll be back!

OK you 2..you know who you are let's call it a draw

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Dave
Moira And Dave

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”