revoking charges?
 

Has anyone ever successfully requested refunding already paid (late booking) fee?

Few days ago I wrote a following letter to Sabena and Qualiflyer. Neither Qualiflyer nor Sabena have not answered jet. What you think, am I asking too much or is my request fair enough?
Thank You.

Here is my letter (not in very good English I am afraid):

---

Dear Madam/Sir

Recently I redeemed award flight from Finland to Portugal. Trip was nice, but unfortunately I had many problems with making booking and I still had to pay late booking fee $50. I request that You revoke that fee or credit already debited money back to my credit card.
I explain shortly why I have such request.

I tried to book free ticket via Swissair web site in order to not pay late booking fee. I am quite experienced Internet user and I have purchased tickets on Internet before, but unfortunately I had to spend many hours while trying fruitlessly to book free ticket on Swissair web site. I received many different error messages and booking system crashed at least twice. Finally, when I found flights that suited me and were available, I got a message that due to limited time frame (there was still 4 or 5 days until departure) it was not possible to issue my tickets and I was suggested to contact nearest Swissair office.
I called to Qualiflyer international customer service (+44 207 365 24 71) in order to made booking over phone. At that point I already accepted idea of paying late booking fee. Unfortunately I encountered so many problems, that idea of paying booking fee does not seem fair anymore.

At first - I wanted to fly from Helsinki to Lisbon via Zurich on Swissair, partly because I like Swissair and partly because I wanted to meet someone during layover. Flights were available and I got my outbound flight confirmed via Zurich. Unfortunately there was some kind of misunderstanding between me and Qualiflyer representative and when I received my itinerary, I found out that I was routed to Lisbon via Brussels on Sabena services.

Secondly, I had to make an great effort for receiveing my itinerary. I had to call to Qualiflyer FOUR times, before I got my itinerary faxed to me more than 24hrs after booking was made. I spent approximately additional 150 EEK on those international phone calls.

My name was printed to ticket not correctly (Xxxx/XxxxxxxXxxxxxxXxxx instead of Xxxx/Xxxxxxx). I have to say that this was strong stress factor in first part of my trip.

Finally, I collected my ticket ticked from Qualiflyer Group desk at Helsinki Vantaa airport. I didn't caused any post or courier expenses to Qualiflyer Group.

Hopefully You will consider my request. My Eurocard/Mastercard nr XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, card valid thru XX/XX.

Kind regards,
XXXXXXX XXXX

QF XXX XXX XXX
phone XXX XX XXX XX


[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 03-09-2001).]

[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 03-09-2001).]