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Typical lead time for refund due to cancellation

PostPosted: 30 Dec 2008, 14:28
by woggledog
Hi All.

Booked a return flight to NYC just before chrimbo, and, for various reasons, can't go now. Booked through Expedia (VS wouldn't validate my amex for some reason).

Anyway, cancelled through expedia this morn.... Flight costs 81, with 207.60 taxes. Expedia have applied for refund of taxes, and have quoted 14 to 90 days (which was better than the 100 to change flights)

What's the normal lead time for a refund of taxes?

Ta in advance

Paul

PostPosted: 30 Dec 2008, 14:34
by DMetters-Bone
Most airlines take up to approx 6-8 weeks to refund, then you will have to add time for Expedia to refund you. However it does depend on how busy they are with dealing with refunds, VS aren't the fastest.

Hope this helps.

Dominic

PostPosted: 30 Dec 2008, 15:11
by PeterStansfield
I went through this at this time of year, two years ago, when I broke my leg.

It took around five months - despite many many calls and emails

Sorry to disappoint you, and hope situation is better now than 2006

PostPosted: 30 Dec 2008, 15:31
by Darren Wheeler
Depends what Expedia say, as that is who your contract is with.

PostPosted: 30 Dec 2008, 18:31
by barnstaple
In my experience with Flightstore it only takes a few days - but that isn't Expedia...

PostPosted: 31 Dec 2008, 11:32
by eejp1007
Most travel agents are signed up to BSP (Bank Settlement Plan) which they use to pay for and receive refunds from airlines. There is a reconcilliation and payment every month.
Once the refund is applied for it will come up in the next month's reconcilliation and then the company will refund it to the pax. Longest it could be to get the money back from BSP is 2 months if you have just missed a payment run and then it is up to the agency with how long they take to get the money back to the pax.

PostPosted: 31 Dec 2008, 16:35
by woggledog
quote:Originally posted by eejp1007
Most travel agents are signed up to BSP (Bank Settlement Plan) which they use to pay for and receive refunds from airlines. There is a reconcilliation and payment every month.
Once the refund is applied for it will come up in the next month's reconcilliation and then the company will refund it to the pax. Longest it could be to get the money back from BSP is 2 months if you have just missed a payment run and then it is up to the agency with how long they take to get the money back to the pax.


Thanks for this. The woman at the end of the phone in expedia did actually mention billing cycles, although without the knowledge that you so graciously imparted, was completely meaningless!

Ta for that. Long weekend in Helsinki booked instead, so SWMBO will be happy :-)

PostPosted: 15 Jan 2009, 20:38
by woggledog
Just checked my amex statement. refund was processed on....


The 1st of jan!!!! Just 2 days for a refund :-)