Originally Posted by
seawolf
Article 8 seems to be a grey area that refund "must be in cash (equivalent)." Article 8 (1)(a)
Article 7(3) refers to cash but in practice if it is an award ticket, you don't cash (equivalent) back; you get your miles back. In OP case, OP is getting back original form of payment (FOP) for this ticket which is voucher plus an additional collection.
To your point, maybe a claim thru regulatory channels can result in cash back but that's a grey area at this moment.
I see no gray area. Section 8 refers to Section 7(3) for means of payment and that provides:
"shall be paid in cash, by electronic bank transfer, bank orders or bank cheques, or, with the signed agreement of the passenger, in travel vouchers and/or other services."
It would be entirely fair for the EC to amend the Regulation (and the UK its companion statutory instrument), but neither has done so.