Ryanair refund- legal action for accommodation costs?

[DartmoorWilderness]

Just looking for any one with any experience/legal thoughts....

Ryanair cancelled our flights to Spain 1st-18th August and stated we will get a refund. EU law states they legally have to pay this back within 7 days (which they are now well over)

Like everyone else we can't get any correspondence with them but have now instructed our bank to represent us to get the money back, but due to volume of requests it might be a while etc....

Basically even if we can get away by other means (e.g. ferry/chunnel) we can't afford to pay for this before getting the refund from Ryanair.

Accommodation won't refund unless there is no other way to travel (other than cancelled flight).

So my thought is that if Ryanair doesn't refund our cancelled flights before our departure date we can then claim compensation for the accommodation we can't use as they are illegally with-holding our money for transport?

Unless you booked one with the other , ie accommodation was booked via their website with flights, RA are not liable for your accommodation booking or cancellation cost. Do you have travel insurance with consequential loss cover?

Where is your accommodation? If you can't get there, will they reschedule your dates to next year?
Is it not possible to get a ferry crossing?

Unfortunately not to both.

I was going more for the breaking the law- potentially suing in small claims court for unlawfully with holding my money ( The EU regulations on refunding has no caveat for exceptional circumstances) and the knock on affect this had.

I understand that if they cancelled and followed all laws then they aren't liable for accommodation "knock on" affects.

I'm also looking into making an official complaint via the Civil Aviation Authority, so maybe that may bring something...

@averylongtimeago

Where is your accommodation? If you can't get there, will they reschedule your dates to next year? Is it not possible to get a ferry crossing?

I think it is possible to get a ferry crossing, but my point is that they are with holding my refund (which is against the law) and I need that refund flight money to pay for a ferry.

Accommodation is Barcelona, thankfully only paid 50% so far but due to pay other 50% soon. Can't get any dates with them for next year that I can use (I work in education and my husband works in civic capacity for the forces, so dates have to be specific!)

Well, I have checked the ferries and they only go once a week on a Sunday. We are due to stay sat-sat, so I assume that counts as a "non-viable travel option" - namely as can't get a return journey on appropriate date.

Have you contacted your travel insurance? They might be able to help?

Just seen your update: now we have driven to Barcelona (family emergency!) and with a longer crossing to Caen overnight we drove all day to somewhere south of Limoges then carried on the next day- we got to Barcelona early evening.
So that's out!

My DD is still waiting for her refund from Ryanair for a flight at Easter...

If you booked before Covid then your insurance might cover you - check to see if your bank account includes travel insurance.

The ferries are a non viable travel option. If you have insurance then you should get your money back through them for the accomodation at least.

If you still want to go on holiday other airlines are flying.Ryanair are cutting down scheduled flights and are flying a reduced schedule.
It may be worth checking on an app like Skyscanner to see what's available, ryanair may be flying from an alternative airport in UK you can use or another airline could be OK.
At a pinch you can get to Barcelona from Reus which serves mainly Salou.

Just done a quick check don't know where you are flying from but Ryanair doing flights to Reus from Manchester couple of flights a week around 23.00 obviously plus hand luggage and reserved seats should cost under 40.00

Also no refund from ryanair since Easter 😕