Lufthansa Ticket Refund Timeline
Jan 31, 2021, 12:51 pm
#421
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: VIE, TYO, CAX
Programs: LH-SEN
Posts: 104
Cancelling from 'Manage my bookings' also seems to work. Much to my surprise I received a refund the same day as I claimed last week - despite the fact that I'd originally accepted a rebooking.
Feb 19, 2021, 10:58 am
#422
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,661
Just a data-point on the refund button. I had a first class booking LHR-FRA-IAH which had been downgraded to business as they've shifted from a 747-8 to a A333. The automated email gave the refund option which I clicked. Website gave me a conformation and I already have the miles back in my account (roughly 4 hours later). I'll check the Amex in a few days to see if the 500-ish in taxes come back.
Just a shame I can't rebook online as I've got another booking which I'd like to do that with.
Just a shame I can't rebook online as I've got another booking which I'd like to do that with.
Feb 21, 2021, 3:42 am
#423
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 16
It was reported a few days ago that doing the refund request online (after cancellation of one or more flights, obviously) was much more faster than requesting it by phone.
It has also been reported in the past that you don't receive any emails confirming the refund or refund amount. Just wait for the refund to hit your credit card. So I suggest a bit of patience here; most likely the (full) refund will appear within a few days/a week or two.
It has also been reported in the past that you don't receive any emails confirming the refund or refund amount. Just wait for the refund to hit your credit card. So I suggest a bit of patience here; most likely the (full) refund will appear within a few days/a week or two.
Didnt get any email confirmation but the refund was placed back onto my card the same or next day.
Feb 25, 2021, 4:10 am
#425
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Denmark, hour drive from BLL
Posts: 140
Just a quick timeline reference for anyone else waiting for a LH refund:
1) Received e-mail with major schedule changes (outbound changed 1 day) last Thursday February 18 around noon, clicked the "Refund" button directly in the mail right after.
2) Didn't receive an e-mail confirming my refund request, called LH on their Danish number the same afternoon, received a confirmation e-mail shortly after.
3) ~7,500 award miles used for partial payment were back in my M&M account this Tuesday February 23.
4) Remainder credit card payment (~7800DKK) was back in my Danish bank account today, Thursday February 25.
In summary, exactly one week from refund request directly in e-mail until I had the full payment back (part award miles, part credit card payment) as a Danish citizen with a Danish bank account/credit card. Absolutely fine in my opinion.
1) Received e-mail with major schedule changes (outbound changed 1 day) last Thursday February 18 around noon, clicked the "Refund" button directly in the mail right after.
2) Didn't receive an e-mail confirming my refund request, called LH on their Danish number the same afternoon, received a confirmation e-mail shortly after.
3) ~7,500 award miles used for partial payment were back in my M&M account this Tuesday February 23.
4) Remainder credit card payment (~7800DKK) was back in my Danish bank account today, Thursday February 25.
In summary, exactly one week from refund request directly in e-mail until I had the full payment back (part award miles, part credit card payment) as a Danish citizen with a Danish bank account/credit card. Absolutely fine in my opinion.
Mar 4, 2021, 12:50 am
#426
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: SK Gold, AF Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,732
My May flights to GIG got cancelled so I chose the refund option on Friday 26th Feb. The money was back on my credit card on Tuesday 2nd Mar, so basically after two workdays. Kudos to LH for that.
On the other hand, a more complex itinerary to LED (with OS through VIE outbound and with LX through ZRH inbound) still hasn't been refunded, although it took a lot longer to show up as cancelled on the website/app as well (I think the booking only vanished from the list yesterday).
On the other hand, a more complex itinerary to LED (with OS through VIE outbound and with LX through ZRH inbound) still hasn't been refunded, although it took a lot longer to show up as cancelled on the website/app as well (I think the booking only vanished from the list yesterday).
Mar 4, 2021, 1:18 am
#427
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,919
In your experience is there a gap between the time a reservation vanishes from the list of active bookings and the refund is processed ? - or the reservation will only disappear from the list once the refund has been processed?
I ask because if the refund will be processed later there is a still a chance to "rescue" /re-activate the ticket and prevent if from being refunded if one notices that the reservation has disappeared (due to taking no action before the deadline stated by LH in the schedule change notify email) and contacts LH before the refund is processed.
Someone with insight on this?
I ask because if the refund will be processed later there is a still a chance to "rescue" /re-activate the ticket and prevent if from being refunded if one notices that the reservation has disappeared (due to taking no action before the deadline stated by LH in the schedule change notify email) and contacts LH before the refund is processed.
Someone with insight on this?
Mar 4, 2021, 5:16 am
#428
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: SK Gold, AF Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,732
In my experience the latter seems to be the case, but it's a sample size of one so it'd be great if others could pitch in.
Apr 19, 2021, 5:54 am
#430
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between DM464 and DM463 on the NAPSA26 RNAV TRANS in EDDM
Programs: this and that
Posts: 1,731
I called the SEN line. The last refund I triggered via the hotline did take 3 days until the money was back in my CC account.
Apr 25, 2021, 3:14 pm
#431
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between DM464 and DM463 on the NAPSA26 RNAV TRANS in EDDM
Programs: this and that
Posts: 1,731
Apr 25, 2021, 11:30 pm
#432
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,877
I called in for a refund. They told me it would take 7 days. It's a month later and still no refund. When I last called they told me it was "still in process." And this is for a canceled measly MUC-ORY flight that cost something like 85 Euros! I am not elite with LH, but am with UA, which was the number I used on the reservation.
Anything I can do to speed it along? Any suggestions appreciated.
Anything I can do to speed it along? Any suggestions appreciated.
Apr 25, 2021, 11:54 pm
#433
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,281
Right now refunds are done the same day, they have engaged TCS to do the processing. Strange that it is taking so long. Probably a request to the LH lurkers is required?
Apr 26, 2021, 10:43 am
#434
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,877
Edited to add: No need, I found it and sent a PM as well as made a post. If one is not an elite and gets the Philippines, which I seem to get every time I call, they are unhelpful with any request I make, including to speak to a supervisor. Tend to doubt I will want to be in a situation where I need to deal with them again.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Apr 26, 2021 at 3:20 pm
Apr 26, 2021, 4:34 pm
#435
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: SK Gold, AF Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,732
On the other hand, a more complex itinerary to LED (with OS through VIE outbound and with LX through ZRH inbound) still hasn't been refunded, although it took a lot longer to show up as cancelled on the website/app as well (I think the booking only vanished from the list yesterday).