France Allows Its Airlines to Refuse Cash Refunds

If you’re one of the thousands of people whose flight has been canceled due to the coronavirus, it is very likely you have been offered a refund in the form of a voucher rather than your money back. This strategy used by the airlines can be frustrating, and some FlyerTalk users have taken to the forums to discuss ways to combat this. However, in one forum, it was revealed that France might be allowing its airlines to refuse refunds, and Air France may have cut a deal with Amex France.

Want to follow the conversation? Head to this forum thread.

Air France Conversation

Being offered a voucher over a cash refund for a canceled flight has become the norm during the coronavirus crisis, and customers are not happy about it. One FlyerTalk user posted their conversation with Air France in the forums, showing the airline’s response to their request for reimbursement.

“Look at this exchange.

I had contacted AF because my flight was cancelled on Saturday. I already requested a refund (via the form) but then I received a new email asking me to claim my voucher, which prompted me to contact them on Twitter.

What would you suggest as next steps?”

The poster received a few different pieces of advice, such as requesting a chargeback on the credit card used or making a claim under EC Regulation 261/2004, but it also revealed some interesting information regarding France’s stance on vouchers, and a possible deal between Air France and Amex France.

18-Month Voucher?

According to two users in the forum, France announced in one of its many decrees that an 18-month voucher could replace a cash refund. One FlyerTalker said,

“This offer for a voucher has been confirmed by the French government in the latest series of decrees, specifically addressing this issue : voucher valid 18 months.”

When questioned about the source, the user continued,

“I had heard it on the radio, but as I checked could not find any official statement. I stand by the info that the French government has now ruled out refund by decree.”

Another user backed up the story, stating,

“Indeed, the French Government has taken an “ordonnance” where a refund is replaced by an “a valoir”, i.e. a voucher valid for 18 months. Sure the EU can take France to court for temporarily violating EC261. So what?”

Even if it is true that the French government has allowed its airlines to replace cash refunds with vouchers (although there is no news confirming this), it goes against the European Commission’s ruling that reimbursement for airfare is the customer’s right, even if they are first offered a voucher.

Air France’s Deal With Amex France?

As the conversation continued in the forum, the original poster gave an update to their argument with Air France. They said,

“So I just called the Platinum line. No refunds for non-refundable tickets. Period. I then called Amex France to request a chargeback. They refused to open the case stating that they have been instructed, as AF is a partner, to not open any cases. All reimbursement cases have to be processed by Axa as an insurance claim. So now even Amex Platinum is washing its hands. Unbelievable situation.”

Based on this information, it appears Air France has cut a deal with its partner, Amex France, to not open any cases for chargebacks in the case of flight cancellations. If this is true, it is a sneaky move by both companies.

What do you think about Air France’s stance on refunds? Have you had any issues opening a dispute against Air France through Amex France? Let us know in the comments!