AIBU to be annoyed with refusal to refund?

[mrsgregorypeck]

I booked flights in January to Singapore to see my brother. I should have flown last week. I had notice in March that the returning flight was cancelled and, since lockdown had already begun anyway, I just waited in the confident belief that since I hadn't cancelled, either Emirates or BYOjet, through whom I had booked, would have to refund in the fullness of time.

I must stress that I wasn't expecting a speedy refund since I know we are in the middle of an unprecedented pandemic. However, today I received an email from BYOjet saying that according to Emirates' policy, I must accept a credit note and fly only with Emirates by the end of January 2021.

My brother is now back in the UK so I now have no wish to fly there anyway. I paid with my American Express card.

What should I do next? Advice please, wise mumsnetters. My annoyance will abate once I can do something constructive about the situation. Thank you for any advice which can be offered.

www.caa.co.uk/Passengers/Resolving-travel-problems/Delays-cancellations/Cancellations/Long-haul-cancellations/

This is info for what ATOL protection covers

@bgmama - It's covered under the Consumer Act 2015, even if the companies terms and conditions say differently, they cannot opt of out the law. If they cannot offer a service or good that you have paid for, they have to give you a refund.

Remind the company if you do a credit card charge back that the credit card will just re-claim the money from the company.

I've tried to act fairly with all the companies we've dealt with and accepted a credit note if their terms work for us. But with a couple who have given only a short re-booking window or limited the booking to out of school holidays I've insisted on a refund.

OP, see Martin Lewis' advice on www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/#vouchersnotrefunds He's brilliant - you don't have to accept credit note/voucher. Good luck!

Anyone any idea about domestic flights in other countries? I’m guessing most of the info posted doesn’t apply to flights that don’t have a UK connection?
It’s a flight between two Canadian cities if that makes a difference. Atm the airline is only offering a reschedule within a certain timeframe, one that isn’t going to be at all helpful for us

There are still internal flights in Canada I believe but only to the 4 biggest airports.
But You cannot go between certain territories by land. Ex, you can fly to Montreal, but cannot go over the border into Ontario at the moment.

Excellent result, OP.

This is why it's always worth booking flights and holidays with a credit card, even if you pay it off immediately.

Yes, I’m delighted with this outcome and hope this update is helpful to others in a similar situation. Thanks to everyone for their very helpful advice.