Mar 17, 2020, 1:00 pm
Last edit by: oliver2002
Air France's rebooking policy: https://www.airfrance.nl/NL/en/common/page_flottante/hp/news-air-traffic-air-france.htm?_ga=2.60869669.82286185.1584471569-101309917.1487618201 KLM's rebooking policy: https://www.klm.com/travel/nl_nl/prepare_for_travel/up_to_date/flight_update/index.htm
Worksheet/flowchart for Travel Agents: http://image.email.bluebiz.info/lib/fe9013727c62017f75/m/4/575524f1-d29b-4548-b393-eb5ab0eee26b.pdf
European Commission EC261/2004 guidelines in context of COVD-19 dated 18 MAR 2020 US DoT Enforcement Notice regarding refunds dated 3 APR 2020.
Some additional information:
1) North American ticket holders can typically request chargebacks from their banks.
2) Furthermore, for flights that touch US soil, they may also file complains with the US DOT.
3) American Express in France and in the Netherlands reportedly refuse to open chargeback disputes for cardholders. Unclear whether other banks are following this policy.
4) At this stage, 14 EU member states out of 27 support amending EC261 regulation (which mandates airlines give the consumer the choice of a refund) for the duration of the crisis. Some of these member states have already suspended the enforcement of the regulation with respect to the obligation for a refund. Air France/KLM supports the proposed amendment.
Statement by 12 of these 14 EU member states: https://www.aviation24.be/miscellaneous/passenger-rights/coronavirus-twelve-eu-member-states-ask-commission-to-amend-regulation-ec-261-2004-to-allow-issuance-of-vouchers-in-lieu-of-refund/
Worksheet/flowchart for Travel Agents: http://image.email.bluebiz.info/lib/fe9013727c62017f75/m/4/575524f1-d29b-4548-b393-eb5ab0eee26b.pdf
European Commission EC261/2004 guidelines in context of COVD-19 dated 18 MAR 2020 US DoT Enforcement Notice regarding refunds dated 3 APR 2020.
Some additional information:
1) North American ticket holders can typically request chargebacks from their banks.
2) Furthermore, for flights that touch US soil, they may also file complains with the US DOT.
3) American Express in France and in the Netherlands reportedly refuse to open chargeback disputes for cardholders. Unclear whether other banks are following this policy.
4) At this stage, 14 EU member states out of 27 support amending EC261 regulation (which mandates airlines give the consumer the choice of a refund) for the duration of the crisis. Some of these member states have already suspended the enforcement of the regulation with respect to the obligation for a refund. Air France/KLM supports the proposed amendment.
Statement by 12 of these 14 EU member states: https://www.aviation24.be/miscellaneous/passenger-rights/coronavirus-twelve-eu-member-states-ask-commission-to-amend-regulation-ec-261-2004-to-allow-issuance-of-vouchers-in-lieu-of-refund/
COVID-19: AF/KL rebooking/refund policy
May 29, 2020, 3:51 am
#721
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NCE
Programs: FB Ultimate - BA EC - LH M&M - Accor All Gold
Posts: 267
Why would you wait 1 year to (possibly) get a refund of a voucher when you booked a (immediately) refundable ticket ?
They change today what they've just updated yesterday ant that they'll probably change again tomorrow.
They seem completely lost in their own policies.
May 29, 2020, 3:53 am
#722
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,648
Agreed. My post was ironical.
Why would you wait 1 year to (possibly) get a refund of a voucher when you booked a (immediately) refundable ticket ?
They change today what they've just updated yesterday ant that they'll probably change again tomorrow.
They seem completely lost in their own policies.
Why would you wait 1 year to (possibly) get a refund of a voucher when you booked a (immediately) refundable ticket ?
They change today what they've just updated yesterday ant that they'll probably change again tomorrow.
They seem completely lost in their own policies.
May 29, 2020, 10:30 am
#723
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Exeter, UK
Programs: BA Gold. Flying Blue Gold. Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Plat AMB, Radisson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 220
Just had a fairly long discussion with a KLM phone agent regarding the 15% bonus. I was told that the online booking system should be updated to apply the bonus on Monday or Tuesday next week (1 or 2 June). She admitted that agents are very confused about the rules though and thought that Flying Blue members might be learning of them before agents are informed through official channels!
Will hold off booking for now, as 15% is a fair wedge on high-value vouchers.
Will hold off booking for now, as 15% is a fair wedge on high-value vouchers.
May 31, 2020, 5:15 am
#724
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: In between BRU, AMS, DUS and LUX...
Programs: AF/KL Plat, BA Gold, A3 Gold, IHG Diamond, MR Gold, HH Diamond, ALL Platinum
Posts: 1,044
This entire voucher story is a complete sh*t show really. I am still speechless by the way they and handling this whole mess. With KL saying one thing, AF saying something else, it's very annoying given that this is basically the same company who is supposed to share the same procedures. How complicated can it be to add 15% to existing and newly issued vouchers seriously ? It has been 2 weeks since they announced this new voucher bonification rule and it's still not working. Once again, I will know where to put my money once this crisis will be over, even LCC's which are not known for customer friendliness and for abiding that easily to regulations are doing better with the refund/voucher process.
Jun 1, 2020, 9:45 am
#725
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 107
Got another email from AF/KLM regarding my 04/27/2020 refund request/process. Looks like it will be processing within 2 weeks. I believe when I see it of course but it seems like progress.
"Dear Sir,
Following your recent request, We are pleased to confirm that the amount of 280.84 USD will be credited back to the original credit card, which was used for the payment, within 2 weeks approximately.
Depending on the bank, please allow more time for the transaction to show on the statement.
Thank you for choosing Air France and we look forward to welcoming you on board another of our flights very soon."
"Dear Sir,
Following your recent request, We are pleased to confirm that the amount of 280.84 USD will be credited back to the original credit card, which was used for the payment, within 2 weeks approximately.
Depending on the bank, please allow more time for the transaction to show on the statement.
Thank you for choosing Air France and we look forward to welcoming you on board another of our flights very soon."
Jun 1, 2020, 10:20 am
#726
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,648
Got another email from AF/KLM regarding my 04/27/2020 refund request/process. Looks like it will be processing within 2 weeks. I believe when I see it of course but it seems like progress.
"Dear Sir,
Following your recent request, We are pleased to confirm that the amount of 280.84 USD will be credited back to the original credit card, which was used for the payment, within 2 weeks approximately.
Depending on the bank, please allow more time for the transaction to show on the statement.
Thank you for choosing Air France and we look forward to welcoming you on board another of our flights very soon."
"Dear Sir,
Following your recent request, We are pleased to confirm that the amount of 280.84 USD will be credited back to the original credit card, which was used for the payment, within 2 weeks approximately.
Depending on the bank, please allow more time for the transaction to show on the statement.
Thank you for choosing Air France and we look forward to welcoming you on board another of our flights very soon."
Jun 1, 2020, 10:23 am
#727
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 107
Jun 1, 2020, 10:26 am
#728
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,648
Jun 3, 2020, 9:28 am
#730
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: DL DM & 2MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 663
I have a trip scheduled in J from JFK-CDG for early August, and not sure if I can/want to travel. So, would like to cancel my trip. Am I eligible for a full refund (as opposed to a voucher)?
Jun 4, 2020, 1:36 am
#731
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NCE
Programs: FB Ultimate - BA EC - LH M&M - Accor All Gold
Posts: 267
You need to wait for the eventual cancellation of your flight to be eligible for a full refund.
Jun 4, 2020, 8:23 am
#732
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 308
Apologies if this has been covered already in the thread but has anyone had luck rebooking a cancelled KLM flight through Facebook chat and/or What's App? Tried to send a FB message and got an automated response with some generic COVID info. Not sure if an agent will eventually respond. Currently waiting for a response on What's App. Just wondering whether it's a futile effort and I'm better off phoning.
Jun 4, 2020, 8:53 am
#733
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,648
Apologies if this has been covered already in the thread but has anyone had luck rebooking a cancelled KLM flight through Facebook chat and/or What's App? Tried to send a FB message and got an automated response with some generic COVID info. Not sure if an agent will eventually respond. Currently waiting for a response on What's App. Just wondering whether it's a futile effort and I'm better off phoning.