When do flight cancellations start to affect previously confirmed reservations?
Before COVID, I booked some flights on Turkish Airlines (TK). Due to COVID, the trip is off the cards, so I'd like to get a full refund. However, under TK's policies, while I'm entitled to change the flights for free, if I initiate a cancellation, I would need to pay heavy penalties.
As it happens, though, the specific flight I was scheduled to take in December has been cancelled, and this cancellation has been published in the GDS. (The route is still operating, just not on my planned day.) However, when I called TK's call center, they told me my reservation for the now non-existent flight remains "Confirmed" and I should call back "later" to enquire about changes/refunds, although they couldn't tell me when this "later" is either.
TL;DR: How long does it take for schedule changes to filter down to individual reservations? Interested in both Turkish specifically and general rules of thumb. And yes, EC261 (the EU cancellation rule) applies to at least part of the itinerary.
Best Answer
How long does it take for schedule changes to filter down to individual reservations?
I've seen as as little as a week before departure. Maybe even less. The airline is playing "cancellation chicken" and hoping that passengers will cancel proactivley when they get nervous.
As long as the arline doesn't accept new reservations for this flight, there is no risk to them for not cancelling officially until the very last minute. Maybe things are back to normal in December or regulations ease up.
Even if they finally do cancel, they will probably try to give you a voucher instead of a refund. You must insist in the refund and NOT accept the voucher. Ideally in writing by certified mail.
I would sit tight for a while. December is still pretty far out and there are no "deadlines" you need to follow. Try again two weeks before departure and see what the state is then.
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What happens if my scheduled flight is Cancelled?
The US Department of Transportation says you are entitled to a refund of your ticket cost because of a cancellation or "significant delay" and you choose not to travel. This is the policy regardless of the reason the airlines cancels or delays the flight.How much notice do airlines have to give for Cancelled?
The airline is required to compensate you for a canceled flight if you were notified less than 14 days before your original scheduled departure date. However, compensation is not required if the airline proves that extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather) caused the cancellation.Will I be notified if my flight is Cancelled?
Usually, air carriers notify their passengers about flight cancellations. So, you don't have to wonder how do I know if my flight is cancelled. They would usually send you an email or text message in case of cancellation.How long are Cancelled plane tickets good for?
The Department of Transportation's 24-hour refund regulation states that all airlines flying in the U.S., even international carriers, must issue a full refund if the reservation is canceled within a one-day window.Thousands of flights canceled for 2nd day in a row l GMA
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Answer 2
Should've been logged within a few hours (though there's no hard and fast deadline). That said, I say use their incompetence to your advantage. Until 14 days before departure, just wait for a confirmation without doing anything. After that, not only are you entitled to a full refund, but also the (in)famous EC261 compensation.
You should be harsh when requesting a full refund, as I was when requesting Eurowings to re-route me after a cancellation. I wrote in the very first message that my rights apply regardless of the circumstances, that I advise against pulling the COVID-19 card, and that I "WILL drag them to court if need be". That made them budge (though barely so it seems)
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