But isn't this only sound advice if the OP did, in fact, book both pax on the same PNR and therefore the OTA is at fault for only cancelling one ticket? It is almost sounding like the OP booked the tickets separately and this had 2 PNR's and only cancelled one, mistakenly thinking he had cancelled both. He said he only cancelled half of the booking or 1 ticket.

OP, so did you not book the two tickets together? Did you have 2 PNR's (not 2 ticket numbers but 2 different file or record locator numbers)? Is that what you mean by two separate itineraries? And if so, it seems you only cancelled one of them, is that correct? If this is the case, I would hope that a goodwill gesture of a refund would happen but if only one ticket was actually cancelled, then the OTA can't be faulted here and a dispute or court action would seem out of line and probably unsuccessful.

Isn't this an open and shut case that hinges on whether the OP actually authorised the cancellation of two itineraries or not?

If they had two separate tickets and only cancelled one of them, then I think getting a refund will not happen - they are outside the 24hr DoT window and had a duplicate booking (on a non-refundable ticket in any case).

If both tickets were cancelled, the problem would be with Priceline not doing processing that properly and the claim is against Priceline: the request would have to have been made in the 24hr booking window per DoT rules.

EK cancelled when they saw an impossible set of itineraries (i.e. travelling to two different places at the same time) - but that would have been after the DoT window in any case so I think you wouldn't have much of a claim against the airline in this case.

I think EK would be extremely firm on this, but Priceline might as a gesture give you some compensation depending on the exact circumstances.

Unfortunately I think the OP is out c.800 USD - even if it was a on a credit card, it seems likely the chargeback would be rejected?

Sure - That's the ultimate question. PNR's are irrelevant. It's tickets. Each ticket is booked and cancelled separately and each passenger has a ticket.

If OP only cancelled one ticket and failed to cancel the other, he is SOL and it doesn't matter whether he booked through EK, through PL, with a CC a DC or whatever.

OP really needs to provide complete details.

I booked the two tickets together, but what I didn't realize at the time, was that PL issued 2 PNR's (as opposed to what I've typically experienced - two tickets booked together = 1 PNR = but 2 ticket numbers). So yes, I assumed they were on 1 PNR so that when I cancelled, I thought it would cancel both tickets. Clearly, it did not and I only effectively cancelled 1 of the 2 tickets.

I have been trying to find the flight class (fare basis codes) but I can't seem to find it on PL and since the flight has been cancelled by EK, I can't look up details through their website. The EK confirmation code starts with a K, so can I assume that the flights are K class?

Sorry, clearly I don't have experience or enough knowledge about this, so this is probably a dumb question...but if EK cancelled the flight (albeit because it is an "impossible"/duplicate itinerary) since I did not cancel the flight myself, do I have any claim to at least the opportunity to make changes to the flight and pay any differences in fees? Probably grasping at straws here, but clearly I'm desperate for any glimmer of hope.

Sorry to hear you are in this situation. Perhaps others can help with the fare rules etc. but if it were me, I would appeal to EK with the truth of what happened exactly as you explained it here, take responsibility for it and beg for mercy, as it were. The facts support your story, namely you rebooked both tickets the same day so I would hope they would refund you as a goodwill gesture. What I wouldn't do is threaten them with anything; court action etc. You want them to help you out of a mess that you inadvertently got yourself into. One that they had no part in and is not their fault in the slightest so I would be as nice as I could, tell them exactly what happened and basically beg them to help. Just my two cents. Others may not agree but that's how I would approach it.

Thank you for that, Finkface. I think that's going to be my approach and possibly my only chance, however slim.

I wish you the very best of luck and sincerely hope that they do the nice thing. Please come back and update us. We are all pulling for you.

With those extra facts, the bottom line is that OP did not cancel the second ticket and thus, PL is not under any obligation to refund it to him.

It's a hard case to make to any carrier because it is PL which has OP's funds, not the carrier. One thing for the carrier to refund OP's funds, but this would not be a refund for EK, simply an "out-of-pocket."

A resolution!
 

I'm back...and yes, with many many lessons learned. :(

Thank you all for your advice and input.

Emirates has issued a credit for the full flight amount to be used (completed travel) within 1-year of the booking date. So that puts me in a bit of a bind as I'm already scheduled to fly out to JNB in November for a 2+ week trip and leaving me with only about $600 in credit (after the change fees).

Of course, I'm grateful for the credit amount (better than $852 in the hole!). But any recommendations on some optimal routes out of LAX? Maybe at least to get a nice MR out of it...

While I don't have any suggestions on using the credit, I just wanted to say well done for the way you handled this. I think the result is about as good as you could have gotten and was certainly more than fair on the part of EK since it wasn't their error. Good for you, OP, for being level-headed and taking the suggestions you were given to heart. $600 in the plus column is certainly better than $850 in the minus. Hopefully you can find a way to use it within the year.

Miracles do happen....!!!

:D

I checked my bank account today to reconcile my spending, and lo and behold....I see a deposit from Emirates Airlines for the full $851.96.

I don't know how....or why....but THANK YOU, EMIRATES!!!!!!! Lessons have been learned and I know I am one lucky gal. Thank you all for your help and advice!!!!