Over Spring Break, the Michael W Travels family was supposed to visit Ecuador and the Galapagos. This was a trip that Kim and I had wanted to take for years but COVID-19 had other plans.
Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, our flight on JetBlue to Ecuador was canceled. The miles I used to book the flight along with the taxes were promptly refunded. Soon after, Avianca canceled our flights from within Ecuador to the Galapagos.
We booked and paid for our flights on Avianca just weeks before (give or take) the cancellation. In the e-mail, Avianca mentioned we would be able to rebook which sounded pretty crazy if you ask me.
Find out more details in my post, REFUND Us: Avianca Cancels Flight, Says We Can Rebook Til 3/21.
My first post was published on March 20, 2020 and I’ve written two updates regarding the situation.
- Where Do We Stand With Getting A Refund From Avianca?
- Update: What’s Going On With Our Refund From Avianca?
After 60+ days, I finally got an answer from the airline regarding our refund request.
I was beyond happy (relieved) to get an e-mail that our refund had been authorized!
We’ve yet to pay the charge to our credit card but Avianca mentioned that the payment will be made back to the Visa. We plan to follow up with the credit card company (and supply them with a copy of the e-mail if needed) so we don’t have to pay the bill just to get it refunded back!
The refund could take up to 30 days. This seems a bit long considering transfers can be done instantly or within a day or two at most!
In the end, we had some headaches due to the situation. A refund should’ve been a given all along. Why would we be expected to take a credit for a flight the airline canceled!
I don’t know if Avianca decided to do the right thing due the claim I filed on their website, our DOT complaint or heard more info from the credit card company, but it doesn’t really matter as we’ll be getting a refund for a flight we wish we could have taken.
Andrew- No problem and good luck! 🙂
Andrew- How’s it going? Did you fill out a DOT complaint? I’d suggest doing that and also trying to contact Avianca again.
Thanks for the quick turnaround, Michael! I’ve been doing alright!I have not yet, but I will give that a shot and then call Avianca after! Thank you!
Hi Michael. I am in a similar situation where I have received no information after filing for the refund through Avianca’s website. What steps do you recommend to try to get my money back? Thank you.
Jean- Entitled, so sorry to offend you. I heard nothing from the airline besides when they responded to my two DOT complaints. SMH.
Michael how long did it take after they authorized for it show up on your statement. I got the same email for authorized refund up to 30-days but I’m hoping it’s less than the 30.
Daryl- We were disputing the charge before the bill was due…. Good luck!
Your DOT complaint?? Americans are so self-entitled – DOT is for flights that touch US soil and has no relevance for a domestic flight in Ecuador.