Questions and Answers

I’ve bought 4 refundable tickets with TAP CPT-LIS-IAD in J Class (they call it “Top Executive”). Although January is a ways away, I’m obviously not buying any non refundable tickets. The fare rules state that the ticket is fully refundable and fully changeable. But when I called TAP to confirm (they had miraculously short wait times) the agent said that while the ticket is fully refundable, right now the company is “only giving vouchers not refunds to the credit card because of our financial situation due to the COVID-19”.

So my question is, generally, are airlines still fully refunding (not vouchers, cash refund) tickets that were originally booked as refundable tickets? Does the policy depend airline by airline? I have 24 hrs to cancel under flexible cancellation so I’d rather know sooner rather than later.
Thanks in advance.

Your situation seems crazy given that your “refundable” ticket isn’t refundable. The whole concept of paying the premium for that fare class is to ensure refund ability. The answer to your question is yes. Even my non-refundable fares, for flights that have been cancelled by the airlines have been fully refunded. I guess this foreign airline could try to make its own rules but in the US, airlines here have DOT regulations that will force them to refund. This DOT language may help you out in the event of a problem
[URL]https://onemileatatime.com/dot-flight-refund-rules/[/URL] since foreign carriers operating within the US have to comply, which I’m assuming is the case. Good luck and good health!

[QUOTE=”Gia, post: 69425, member: 1566″]Your situation seems crazy given that your “refundable” ticket isn’t refundable. The whole concept of paying the premium for that fare class is to ensure refund ability. The answer to your question is yes. Even my non-refundable fares, for flights that have been cancelled by the airlines have been fully refunded. I guess this foreign airline could try to make its own rules but in the US, airlines here have DOT regulations that will force them to refund. This DOT language may help you out in the event of a problem
[URL]https://onemileatatime.com/dot-flight-refund-rules/[/URL] since foreign carriers operating within the US have to comply, which I’m assuming is the case. Good luck and good health![/QUOTE]
I know that’s what’s so crazy about the situation. I’m paying for a refundable ticket, which in ordinary circumstances I’d be able to get a full refund for, but because of COVID-19 they’re saying that if the situation persists until the time I want to get the refund they reserve the right to only give me a voucher!

Try another phone call. These agents are under a lot of pressure not to do refunds. Keep trying.