When it comes to your Aegean Airlines refund, waiting can be frustrating.
You’ve applied for a complete refund due to cancellation, and still, you’re left waiting. Perhaps you’ve gotten an update explaining the problem, or possibly you’re still unaware. While each case is unique, one fact remains constant. In the EU, such matters are governed by law. Legally, your Aegean Airlines refund should be processed within 7 days.
So, what’s your course of action if it’s taking longer?
Aegean Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever: Step-By-Step Plan
If an airline cancels a flight, it’s their duty to offer you a refund.
For instance, if Aegean Airlines cancels a flight within the European Union, they are obligated to provide an option between a full refund or a replacement flight. It’s crucial to understand that sometimes a refund is your only option, but other times you can receive both a refund and flight cancellation compensation.
Step 1: Contact Aegean Airlines
Reach out to Aegean Airlines’ customer support via their website.
Attempt to connect with them through WhatsApp or Messenger.
Unless it’s something extraordinary, such as the onset of a worldwide pandemic, they should respond within a week. If a week passes without a reply, send additional messages. If necessary, repeat this process every few days until you receive a response.
Step 2: Contact Aegean Airlines via Social Media
If Aegean Airlines doesn’t respond, take to social media.
If after several weeks you still haven’t received a reply to your emails and WhatsApp messages, use Facebook and Twitter to contact Aegean Airlines. Highlight the 7-day refund deadline and point to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Articles 5 and 8.
Step 3: Don’t Agree to Vouchers
Your refund should be returned to your bank.
There is no necessity to accept Aegean Airlines vouchers.
Step 4: Get in Touch with the National Enforcement Body (NEB)
Every EU state has such an entity.
Reach out to the NEB of the country your flight leaves from. If your flight is from Germany, get in touch with the Nationale Beschwerde- und Durchsetzungsstelle Fluggastrechte. If it’s a flight originating from a non-EU country, connect with the NEB of the destination country. All the contact details for these bodies can be found here.
Regrettably, this method is also the one requiring the most patience. Usually, it’s about 2 months before the relevant NEB reaches a decision. Then, there’s a wait for Aegean Airlines to process the payment. For optimal results, keep reminding them about your case on their social media pages and through other communication channels.
Aegean Airlines Refund: Under What Circumstances Are You Eligible?
According to EU laws, you’re entitled to a complete refund if Aegean Airlines cancels your flight.
If your flight is cancelled by Aegean Airlines, they need to provide you with a choice between re-routing (an alternate flight at no extra cost) or a full refund of your ticket price. This is mandatory irrespective of the reason for cancellation, even during extraordinary circumstances. Refunds for flight cancellation should be processed within seven days.
Any delay by the airline in refunding is a violation of EU regulations, and passengers have the right to consider further steps.
What Happens If You Cancel the Flight Yourself?
When you cancel the flight, the refund process becomes a little more complex.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Flexible tickets. If your ticket is flexible, it’s likely you can obtain a refund but always verify the airline’s policies.
- Non-refundable tickets. In the case of tickets that are not refundable, a full refund is typically not possible. Yet, airlines might agree to refund the taxes you’ve paid as part of your ticket fare.
- Travel insurance. If you have cancellations included in your travel insurance, you could potentially claim a refund from your insurance provider, depending on the cancellation reason.
- Cancellation within 24 hours of booking. Some airlines provide a full refund if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking, provided the booking was made a minimum of 7 days before the flight departure.
- Exceptional circumstances. If you need to cancel due to exceptional circumstances, such as illness or bereavement, the airline might offer a refund or credit towards future travel, subject to the airline’s policy.
Flight Cancellation Due to Extraordinary Circumstances: Can You Get a Refund?
During instances of extraordinary circumstances, such as inclement weather, airport personnel strikes (excluding airlines’ own staff strikes), or safety issues, airlines are typically not blamed for the flight cancellation.
Yet, as per EU regulations (Regulation (EC) No 261/2004), even when an airline cancels a flight due to extraordinary circumstances, it is compelled to present passengers with either a full refund or an alternative routing option. This indicates that regardless of the cancellation’s reason if it’s due to unforeseen events, you are still entitled to a refund.
Keep in mind that the refund should be facilitated within a week’s time. If you experience any hiatus in receiving your refund, ensure to adhere to the step-by-step strategy we talk above.
What is your experience with Aegean Airlines refunds? Have you ever received a refund from Aegean Airlines? Share your experience in the comments!