Should I Get a Full Refund or a Credit Voucher from a Travel Agency Due to Coronavirus?
The current situation due to the coronavirus pandemic presents a very tricky situation for both travel agencies and their customers. Many travel agencies are dealing with delays in refund payments from suppliers such as airlines and hotels. As a result, some have requested customers to reschedule or wait for the payment to be received, while others are offering a credit voucher option.
The Choice Between Refund and Credit Voucher
My belief is that if a travel agency postpones the refund, they will offer you a credit voucher. However, if they choose to cancel your booking, you are entitled to a full refund. In the case of a postponement, if you had a legitimate reason for not using the voucher, there may still be a chance for a refund.
It is important to understand the terms and conditions of your booking. If you purchased a non-refundable fare and canceled on your own, you are only entitled to a voucher. However, if the flight was canceled and you had not made the cancellation, you are entitled to a refund back to your original form of payment.
Complications Arising from the Pandemic
The situation is further complicated by the fact that most airlines are also affected by the economic impact of the coronavirus. Unless you purchased a full-fare, refundable ticket or the airline canceled your flight, you are not entitled to a refund. Any refund would come from the airline, not the travel agency, which acted as your agent in booking your ticket.
Due to the financial strain on everyone, a travel agent can only provide a refund according to the airline's fare guidelines. If the airline issues a credit voucher, the travel agent will also issue a credit voucher. This reflects the current situation where both the travel agency and airlines are working within the constraints imposed by the pandemic.
Legal Considerations and the Supreme Court Ruling
It is worth noting that the Supreme Court has ruled on a petition by flyers, favoring a credit voucher system. This means that the money kept by the airline is to be used for a defined period in the future. Therefore, it is not possible to definitively say whether you can get a refund, as it will depend on the specific circumstances of your booking and the policies of the airline.
In conclusion, the decision between a refund and a credit voucher depends on the specific circumstances of your booking and the policies of the airline. It is important to communicate clearly with the travel agency to understand your rights and options.
Further guidance can be sought through the airline's official channels or by consulting a consumer protection authority in your area.