Quick Update: Bill 2, Airlines 0
Once upon a time there was an intrepid young warrior-god who, sword in hand, bravely took on an evil nest of flying dragons and smote them.
Once upon a time there was a cranky, upper-middle-aged grump with too much time on his hands, who read European consumer protection laws and held an obscure airline to account.
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Sorry about pestering you twice in two days, but I thought you might want to know:
Pursuant to my post from a few weeks ago…
…it worked. I got the maximum allowable refund (€600/ticket x 2 tickets) for a delay, from the airline.
Looks like EK is finally getting that Honus Wagner card she’s always wanted for Christmas.
I post this result not to brag and thump my chest (well, maybe a little) about another humiliating airline industry defeat at the hands of your humble writer.
Rather, I encourage anyone who travels in and out of the European Union to know your rights and exercise them in the event of flight delays, cancellations or lost luggage. The rules are clearly written and the E.U. makes it easy to submit a claim form. It took me maybe 30 minutes to fill it out and send it by email to the airline. There are web-based companies that will do it for you, but they naturally take a cut and it really is not rocket science.
That said, your results may vary. I filed my claim with an airline that is based in the E.U. and at least part of its brand is taking care of its customers. So, it paid up. (But only after I asked. A truly classy company would automatically issue the required refund with an explanation email. Then again, we live on Earth and not Fantasy Island.)
U.S.-based airlines are subject to these rules if you fly into or out of an E.U.-based city (sorry U.S.-London travelers. Brexit screwed you.) U.S.-based airlines, however, despise all but their most elite customers, so getting a refund from any of these carriers is a crap shoot. But you ARE legally entitled.
Good luck, safe travels and see you at the bus station.