24-Hour Refund (Fine Print)
 

Not sure if this has been addressed in other threads but I can't rely on my net connection to hold long enough, for me to read through them. So here goes.

Sig other purchased a ticket a week ago. Needed to change it but was hesitant because of the wicked delays in refunds, and didn't want to tie up funds on the credit card. I keep up w/Flyertalk on a more regular basis than he does. Told him I'd read about this issue and, the thing to watch out for, was to choose "refund" v. "cancel", and then no problems.

With this assurance, he stepped through the "refund" sequence, literally w/in ONE HOUR of having booked the original ticket. Kept looking for his refunded funds but they weren't appearing.

Two days ago he receives an e-mail from CO stating he's ineligible for a refund. "Hell's bells," he says, and fires up the phone to CO.

Turns out that if you use any sort of certificate or, as in this case, gift funds (from the CO gift acct), the system automatically denies your refund, even if you're well w/in the 24-hour limit. On the phone, the CO rep quicky fixed the issue. However, the gift funds are not credited back; the amount is issued (according to the rep), by mail, as a travel cert. Makes that portion of funding not immediately re-usable but, at least, you do get that back, also.

So, if you've used any sort of additional/odd funding in purchasing your ticket, and use the "refund" option on/l, follow it up immediately w/a phone call. Apparently, it has to be manually overridden, in order to issue the refund.

Just another example of CO's numerous, annoying, and inconvenient glitches in their systems. I often think the glitches are left unresolved, intentionally, so that CO can keep using the funds. Perhaps that's cynicism, on my part???? The upside is that, thanks to these forums, we have the tools to get through the hoops and barriers that are thrown up.

well, i am also sure they hope you don't notice that all of the money wasn't refunded (i.e., known in the rebate industry as "shrinkage").

While the certificate code is mailed to you, you should be able to call CO and get the code immediately.

FYI.. The prestige coupons are gone forever if you hit the refund window.

Yes I also accidentally did the cancel versus refund button. A total joke if you ask me. I like 95% of CO's policies, as they are usually pax friendly, but this felt like a total trick.

Months later when I notice no credit showing up on my CC, I had to fight to get my money back on this. They act so surprised on the phone to. "Oh sir you just cancelled the ticket, you didnt ask for a refund." me: "why on earth would I do that?" They: "I have no idea sir."

Riiiiiiigght... that just leaves a bad taste in ones mouth. :rolleyes: :td: