Your Air France refund is taking too long…
You’ve asked for a full refund due to flight cancellation, and now it’s a waiting game. You might have received a notification explaining the situation, or perhaps you’re yet to hear from them. While every circumstance differs, one thing remains constant. As per EU law, your Air France refund should be issued within 7 days.
What actions can you take if it exceeds this time frame?
Struggling with a Delayed Air France Refund: Action Plan
What to do in cases of Air France refund delays?
When a flight is cancelled by an airline, they are obligated to provide a refund.
For instance, under EU law, when Air France cancels a flight, they must give you the option of a full refund or a rescheduled flight. It’s crucial to note that sometimes you’re only eligible for a refund, but at other times, you can receive both a refund and flight cancellation compensation.
Step 1: Get in Touch with Air France
Reach out to Air France customer support via their official website.
Unless there are some extraordinary events such as a worldwide health crisis, the airline is expected to reply within a week. If a week goes by without any communication, proceed to send them follow-up messages.
Continue this process every few days as needed until you obtain a response.
Step 2: Connect with Air France on Social Media
If Air France doesn’t respond to your queries, take to social media.
After several weeks of unanswered emails and messages, consider reaching out to Air France on Facebook and Twitter. Remind them of the 7-day deadline and refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5 and 8.
Remember – you are entitled to Air France refund!
Step 3: Refuse to Accept Vouchers
Your refund should be credited to your bank account.
You are not obligated to accept Air France vouchers.
Step 4: Contact the National Enforcement Body (NEB)
Every EU member state has a NEB.
Reach out to the NEB from the country of your flight’s origin. If your flight originates in Germany, contact the Nationale Beschwerde- und Durchsetzungsstelle Fluggastrechte. For flights from a non-EU country, contact the NEB of the destination country. Find the contact details of these organizations on this page.
You can learn more about this here.
While the fourth step is the most effective, it’s also the most time-consuming. It’s usually about 2 months before the respective NEB publishes a decision. After that, you need to wait for Air France to process the payment. For the best outcome, continue to stay active on Air France’s social media pages and maintain communication through other channels.
In Which Situations Are You Entitled to Air France Refund?
As per EU regulations, you are entitled to a full refund if Air France cancels your flight.
In case of a flight cancellation, Air France must provide a choice between a rerouting (free new flight) or a total ticket refund. This is applicable regardless of the cancellation’s cause, including extraordinary circumstances. The flight cancellation refund must be processed within seven days.
Any delay by Air France in processing your refund is a breach of EU regulations, and passengers should consider taking further action.
What if the Flight is Cancelled by You?
If you are the one to cancel the flight, the Air France refund scenario becomes a bit complex. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Flexible tickets. If you’ve bought a flexible ticket, chances are you can receive a refund, but it’s always advisable to read the airline’s terms and conditions first.
- Non-refundable tickets. With non-refundable tickets, it’s generally not possible to obtain a full refund. However, airlines might offer to refund the taxes included in your ticket price.
- Travel insurance. If your travel insurance covers cancellations, you might be able to get a refund from your insurance provider, based on the cancellation’s cause.
- Cancellation within 24 hours of booking: Certain airlines offer a complete refund if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking, provided the booking was made at least 7 days before the departure date. If your situation aligns, reach out to Air France.
- Illness or other unexpected events: In cases of unexpected events like illness or a significant family issue, the airline may provide a refund or credit for future travel. However, this is contingent on the airline’s policy.
Flight Cancellation due to Extraordinary Circumstances: Are You Eligible for a Refund?
When there are unusual situations at hand, such as severe weather conditions, strikes by airport workers (not strikes by airline employees), or security threats, airlines are generally not deemed liable for the flight cancellation.
Yet, according to EU legislation (Regulation (EC) No 261/2004), in the case of an airline cancelling a flight, passengers should still be presented with a choice between a full reimbursement and the possibility of re-routing (new flight). This implies that even if the cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances, you are still entitled to a reimbursement.
Please note that the refund should be processed within seven days. If you experience any delay in receiving your refund, you’re encouraged to implement the action plan detailed above.
What is your experience with Air France refunds? Have you ever received a refund from Air France? Share your experience in the comments!