Nick Art

Why would you file for EU261 compensation?

This is something different than the full refund.

bobhope2

Interesting article (in German)

Swiss must refund cancelled flights by September 30

They have to refund cancelled flights if they want to receive state aid

warakorn

Where did he mention compensation?
He was speaking about the EU261 refund.

Nick Art

I've never heard it being called EU261 refund, furthermore there is no page to request a refund, so I suppose he meant the EU261 compensation website which for his purposes is the wrong thing.

warakorn

Article 8 of EU261 guarantees a full cash refund in case of a airline-induced cancellation regardless of extraordinary circumstances.

Nick Art

I know EU261 and said article, however the fact remains that I still have never seen anybody refer to this as EU261 refund. It's just a technicaliy and I just wanted to make sure that OP wouldn't accidentally confuse the webpage related to EU261 compensation, as to apply for the refund he needs to phone in or write an email or have his/her TA do it.

MOZBOB

After 2 written communications with LX about my 2 A-class tickets to DEL, I didn’t get clarity from them as to when refunds will be processed. With that I went to Amex for a chargeback. Initially Amex caused some confusion, as they believed that EC261 doesn’t apply to Swiss. Once that was clarified, the chargeback was processed immediately.
I have now also filed a complaint about this with our national aviation authorities, as they will only take action towards an airline after multiple complaints about the same behavior.
For me, Swiss could have avoided this by
1) offering rebooking into same booking class without a 50% supplement
2) offering an attractive bonus to take a voucher and refund after the voucher expiry
3) giving clarity as to when the refund would be processed
Only by also filing a complaint with the national aviation authorities about this, there’s a chance that they will be reprimanded about this poor conduct and structural ignorance of EC261
https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites...ent_bodies.pdf

warakorn

FOCA (Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation) is not going to lift a finger its Swiss Airlines.
It's good that the Amex chargeback worked out. Just look out that Swiss doesn't try a representment of the charge.

What Swiss is counting on -> People will forget what Swiss is doing here - and in 2022 it's business as usual.

Happy

Correct.

That is why I asked if LX has a screen for one to fine an EU261 refund request. Even Ryanair has such a function on its website when in 2018 they canceled flights due to Italian airtraffic controller strike. I filed the EU261 thru Ryanair. Full refund came within a week.

The travel agency has already sent TWO email requests to LX Travel Agency dept and has received squat.

A simple google led me to this screen on LX site.

https://www.swiss.com/ch/EN/customer...nsation-check#

Checking a claim for compensation in the event of flight delay or cancellation

If your SWISS flight arrives more than three hours late or is cancelled, you can check your right to claim compensation by using this online form in accordance with Art. 7 EC No. 261/2004.
It is not a way to file for refund, but still it said to check for eligibility.

I hope the German government's new stance to require LX refunding customer in order to get state aid would eventually make a difference.

Lesson to take away here is, whenever dealing with International airlines, dont ever give them any benefit of doubt because the full service ones sometimes behave worse than the LCCs. Also if the flights do not touch US soil (which would get US DOT protection), do not use reward program redemption (not mileage tickets but bank's reward program). Instead, pay with own credit card therefore should the airlines play foul, file a charge back prompto.

Happy

Not for this flyer, no way.

MOZBOB

Complaints at the official body might not work in Switzerland, but where I live the government just retracted the relaxed enforcement guidelines and instructed our aviation authority to investigate and enforce again in case of complaints.
Never say never, but I’d be extremely cautious to book any Swiss (or Lufthansa Group) flight again.

TEDisgone

I definitely won't be spending any cash with LX/LH again - short haul redemptions on points is the only "currency" they'll be getting from me in the future. And that's if they are the only option.

testycal

It sounds like it will be foolish to book a June to Oct flight that currently shows available if it ends up being cancelled and an interest free loan to LX. I am a BA frequent flyer with status but there is a lack of flights within my timeframe. However, I suspect LX will make my life difficult if it cancels. If it flies non issue but I want a refund not a credit and certainly not a long term interest free loan while LX decides when to credit me after cancelling. Not that BA cares more (only silver status but spending around $13k each year for the last 10 years) so at least I can state I am a loyal customer (not that it makes any difference of course).

warakorn

Probably the head of Swiss and the head of FOCA each served in the same regiment of the Swiss military. Of course, they'll always help out each other.
The German federal transport minister "Be'Scheuer't" seems to have a cozy relationship with Spohr.

testycal

How far does a passenger get when we want to "bend" or "break" the airline rules? NOWHERE. I understand my money may be an interest free loan to LX but LX "ain't done my any favours" in the past as a for profit business. LX cannot pick and choose which rules apply at a given time.