Short version: I’ve been refunded twice for a train journey that was cancelled. Should I keep the second payment or return it to the train company? What would my fellow MNers do?
A train journey I’d booked a few weeks ago was cancelled due to engineering works, so I submitted a delay repay claim for the tickets (£50 for two tickets). I’d booked the tickets through Train Company A, but the train journey was being run by Train Company B (I used A to book the tickets as I already had an account with them, and you can buy tickets for all train companies).
I had to submit a claim for each ticket to Train Company A rather than the whole journey. They replied saying it was the responsibility of Train Company B and had passed it on to them; Train Company B emailed me to say they’d received it; and I got the refund earlier this week. All very straightforward.
However, I’d also had an email from Train Company A saying my claim was being processed, which I assumed was just an automated email. However, they have now refunded me the cost of one ticket - I'm guessing this is from the second claim I submitted?
Now I have a dilemma. Should I return this payment as I’ve already had a refund, which is the right thing to do, or should I keep the money/ donate it to charity? Train Company A are one of the bigger train companies and are known for very expensive tickets on their route. They can surely cover this slight loss, right? But technically it’s stealing. I’m leaning towards repaying it, but what would everyone else do?