Not able to contact Air Berlin
May 4, 2017, 12:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
Not able to contact Air Berlin
Hello,
I booked a economic flex ticket online at airberlin website from Salzburg to Dusseldorf on a business trip for 14 June. However, the trip has to be cancelled as my business partner has overlooked 15 June is a holiday in Germany.
So I follow the instructions on airberlin website and emailed the airline to request for cancellation and refund and got this automated reply :
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Due to an increased workload, delays in the response to e-mail requests may occur.
You will receive your answer as soon as possible.
Please refrain from asking for an update on the status of your request.
Thank you for your patience.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards
Service Team airberlin group
That was more than 2 weeks ago. Have tried to call their 24hrs number but can either never get thru or the usual answering machine, despite trying multiple times a day. It seems there is no human running the airline?
Any suggestions how to get hold of this airline or I should just forfeit the air ticket cost?
Any advice appreciated.
Made the mistake of booking this airline before checking the reviews. Good lesson for future.
I booked a economic flex ticket online at airberlin website from Salzburg to Dusseldorf on a business trip for 14 June. However, the trip has to be cancelled as my business partner has overlooked 15 June is a holiday in Germany.
So I follow the instructions on airberlin website and emailed the airline to request for cancellation and refund and got this automated reply :
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Due to an increased workload, delays in the response to e-mail requests may occur.
You will receive your answer as soon as possible.
Please refrain from asking for an update on the status of your request.
Thank you for your patience.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards
Service Team airberlin group
That was more than 2 weeks ago. Have tried to call their 24hrs number but can either never get thru or the usual answering machine, despite trying multiple times a day. It seems there is no human running the airline?
Any suggestions how to get hold of this airline or I should just forfeit the air ticket cost?
Any advice appreciated. Made the mistake of booking this airline before checking the reviews. Good lesson for future.
May 4, 2017, 2:38 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 257
Maybe the ticket counter at the airport can help.
My advice for the future: Never book through their website but use a reputable travel agent. They have the same rates for AB and they would handle all changes/refunds swiftly. We individuals are simply lost with this airline and the lack of service.
My advice for the future: Never book through their website but use a reputable travel agent. They have the same rates for AB and they would handle all changes/refunds swiftly. We individuals are simply lost with this airline and the lack of service.
May 4, 2017, 6:33 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Krisflyer PPS, SPG, Hyatt GoldPassport, Shangri-la Golden Circle, British Airways ExecClub
Posts: 1,245
Maybe the ticket counter at the airport can help.
My advice for the future: Never book through their website but use a reputable travel agent. They have the same rates for AB and they would handle all changes/refunds swiftly. We individuals are simply lost with this airline and the lack of service.
My advice for the future: Never book through their website but use a reputable travel agent. They have the same rates for AB and they would handle all changes/refunds swiftly. We individuals are simply lost with this airline and the lack of service.
May 4, 2017, 2:24 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Flying between BER, ZRH, EZE, COR
Programs: LH SEN, UA 1K, A3*G, AR Platino, BA Gold
Posts: 113
Try calling them late in the night or early in the morning. I have never waited for more than 10 minutes in the normal call center (and I rarely have to wait when I call the platinum hotline, which means that they actually can provide real service if they wish...)
May 4, 2017, 3:01 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Depending on where your credit card is issued, this may be a very easy chargeback situation. You have cancelled your ticket and waited a reasonable period for a refund and none has been posted to your account.
Presuming that your account permits a chargeback, initiate one through your issuing bank, noting the full ticket number, the date you cancelled and the fact that XX days have passed and you have not had any contact.
That has the effect of putting the shoe on AB's foot and having AB justify why the credit should not be issued. As the credit ought to be issued, AB presumably will not fight about this and the credit will go through.
Let us know how this works with your credit card issuer.
Presuming that your account permits a chargeback, initiate one through your issuing bank, noting the full ticket number, the date you cancelled and the fact that XX days have passed and you have not had any contact.
That has the effect of putting the shoe on AB's foot and having AB justify why the credit should not be issued. As the credit ought to be issued, AB presumably will not fight about this and the credit will go through.
Let us know how this works with your credit card issuer.