A3 significant schedule change - €20 fee for ticket refund
Aug 10, 2017, 5:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: A3G, BA Silver, LH FT
Posts: 296
A3 significant schedule change - €20 fee for ticket refund
I hope someone can clarify this. I had a multicity ticket booked through an OTA. Aegean have cancelled one of the segments and rescheduled me. The new schedule was spread across 2 days requiring an overnight stay in Athens so I refused the new routing as it constituted a significant change. OTA came back to me saying that Aegean will refund the fare minus their (Aegean's) €20 refund fee. EC 261 states in Article 8 that reimbursements should be at the full price of the ticket at which it was bought. Can they legally charge the €20 fee for ticket cancellations instigated by the airline?
Aug 10, 2017, 5:20 am
#2
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,340
In a similar situation Aegean refunded my ticket fully and without fee. Purchased online at their own website though.
I'd say that the fee should not apply. However the OTA may charge a fee. Are you sure the fee they quoted was from Aegean, and not one of their own fees?
I'd say that the fee should not apply. However the OTA may charge a fee. Are you sure the fee they quoted was from Aegean, and not one of their own fees?
Aug 11, 2017, 3:31 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
For some multi city itineraries it is not always possible to book with A3. So it depends on whether you want to save from the airfares or not.
Aug 12, 2017, 2:32 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
I book most of my tickets through OTAs and it has never happened to me that they would charge their service fee for changes due to schedule change by the airline. The only limitation I have experienced is that OTAs are not flexible in options, i.e., they are not willing to discuss with the airline your status and e.g. different routing. But they have always offered me some option + usually managed checking my suggested option with the airline. And when an OTA failed, the airline helped.
Aug 14, 2017, 8:11 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 42
Aug 14, 2017, 9:48 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: A3G, BA Silver, LH FT
Posts: 296
it.lastminute.com
However, €20 is actually quite low compared to what some other OTAs charge (€30-€60)
LM offered a voucher in the full value of the refund valid for 12 months which I accepted.
However, €20 is actually quite low compared to what some other OTAs charge (€30-€60)
LM offered a voucher in the full value of the refund valid for 12 months which I accepted.
Last edited by palcsaky; Aug 14, 2017 at 10:02 am
Aug 14, 2017, 8:52 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: A3G, BA Silver, LH FT
Posts: 296
Aug 15, 2017, 12:23 am
#13
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,340
Thats right, because it was part of the deal. Some people go to the chargeback option way too fast - which often does not only break the deal they had with the seller, it also incurs a huge penalty for said seller.