Other North & South America Frequent Flyer Programs - Change penalty refunded if new flight gets cancelled?

Hi,

a month ago I bought a ticket from LIAT (Caribbean carrier) for 300 dollars to fly on date x. I then had to change my travel date. They applied a 100 dollar penalty for the change and gave me credit (valid for 1 year) for what was left (the new ticket was a lot cheaper).

When I went to check in for my new flight, they told me that the whole fleet was on the ground due to an unannounced strike. I told them I no longer wished to travel. They told me that all they could do was give me credit (and not a refund!! :-O). I now have a credit of 300-100(change fee)=200.

I am ok with having received credit rather than a refund as I travel with them often. However, I feel like I should have also received the 100 dollar change fee back. I feel I paid 100 dollars to travel on date y and I was not allowed to travel on this date. I therefore feel I paid 100 dollars for a service that was not rendered to me (to travel on date y).

Do you think I should initiate a charge back with my credit card (american express) for service not rendered? Overall, I paid 300 dollars to receive 200 dollars worth of credit and no time in the air!

Does anybody have any past history on the topic?

Thanks a lot!

Yes

You spent 300 + 100 dollars = 400 dollars, and the supplier failed to deliver.

They did not operate on Day X. Therefore you paid for a service that was not rendered. Contact AX and tell them that the company did not deliver, therefore, charge it back. Not your problem that a greedy airline union, overpaid bus drivers in theatre usher uniforms as former Eastern Provincial Airways CEO Harry Steele called them, interfered with your travel plans.