Originally Posted by
Sam Bee
Why do you say that? It's billed the moment the OTA/TA issues the ticket, and depending on the date could well go through BSP before the cancellation has been made. You're then beholden on the airline processing the refund and refunding it, and then the OTA refunding it which could easily take a couple of payment cycles. Also it's possible the ticket has to be paid for even if it's been cancelled, then subsequently refunded. Blame IATA.
Remember big chunks of the airlines are built on and still rely on 1960's technology. You ever played around on a GDS?
Sorry, I understood by monthly settlement from the TA to the airline you meant the TA settles with an airline on a monthly basis rather than instantly (the IATA link seems to suggest that). On that basis for this and the AZ fare also refereed to where cancellation by the airline has followed within 24-48hrs there seem little likelihood the TA has already sent the money to the airline - unless the monthly settlement just happens to fall within that period which is fairly unlikely.
Rather than focusing on someone to blame (TA/IATA/airline) it is clear that refunds shouldn't be taking as long as noted by
onobond - unless of course the airline concerned has cash flow issues and would prefer to hang on to it as long as possible
