Originally Posted by
ft101
I've read different reports on this. The customer has paid the travel agent for a service (booking flights) and the TA has carried out their instructions/provided the service so no chargeback allowed. This third party in the transaction muddies the water and is another good reason for booking direct.
The TA is paid to make specific travel arrangements for specific destinations in specific dates. If those arrangements fall through because a third-party (e.g. airline, hotel) is unable to deliver the contracted service(s), the TA fails to provide the arrangements agreed upon (and paid for). Thus, the case for a credit card chargeback should be clear-cut in most jurisdictions.
(If I you prepay a lobster dinner for next month and at the time and date of the reservation the restaurant does not have any lobster, you are also also due a full refund. It does not matter what failed in the supply chain of the restaurant, you paid for a service that was not delivered to you as agreed upon at the time of payment.)