Save
Major airline finally offers refunds for cancelled flights
The ACCC has welcomed an airline’s decision to provide refunds to all Australian consumers who have not been able to fly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Major airline finally offers refunds for cancelled flights
The ACCC has welcomed an airline’s decision to provide refunds to all Australian consumers who have not been able to fly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said Etihad had confirmed that it will be contacting all consumers who booked directly with the airline or Australia-based travel agents “to inform them that affected consumers can elect to receive a refund for a cancelled flight, even if they previously accepted credit”.
Consumers were not provided with the right to a refund for flights cancelled due to the pandemic after Etihad released a COVID-19 rebooking policy on 26 March 2020.
While this policy was updated on 3 June to provide offers of refunds for flights scheduled to depart from Australia, the ACCC did not consider this offer to go far enough.
Etihad has since further revised its policy and will be offering refunds to all consumers in Australia who purchased tickets, regardless of where their flight was scheduled to depart from.
According to the consumer watchdog, “Etihad’s conditions of carriage state that a consumer can elect to receive a refund in the event that Etihad fails to operate their flight reasonably according to schedule, for any reason.”
Etihad situation “should serve as a model for other airlines”.
ACCC chair Rod Sims said the review will enable thousands of Australian customers who have had their flights cancelled to access refunds.
“Etihad’s revised policy and its decision to also offer refunds to consumers who weren’t previously advised of their right to a refund should serve as a model for other airlines.”
He explained that “the protections of the Australian Consumer Law, which extend to all corporations carrying on business in Australia, prohibit making false or misleading representations about a consumer’s right to a refund, including their contractual refund rights.”
“Consumers who believe they are entitled to a refund because they booked their fare while in Australia and who are not contacted by Etihad or their Australian travel agent by 7 August 2020, should contact the business that sold them their ticket.”
About the author
About the author
Expenses
The real reason Sydney’s petrol prices are so high
Sydney fuel prices may seem like they’re soaring, but a recent study indicates that they may be cheaper than you think. ...Read more
Expenses
Morrison backs big pharma, turns back to developing countries
Big pharma is currently fighting to maintain intellectual property protections over COVID-19 vaccines, with Australia refusing to act despite having no pharmaceutical companies. ...Read more
Expenses
Half-price flight scheme launches today
Aussies are being offered half-price flights as the government looks to spur domestic travel to regions it has defined as key to economic recovery. ...Read more
Expenses
Insurance prices rise despite payout falls
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen insurer payouts fall by $500 million, but Australian consumers are continuing to pay more, the consumer watchdog has revealed. ...Read more
Expenses
CBA cops civil proceedings for overcharged interest
ASIC has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth Bank over the bank charging an interest rate on business overdraft accounts that was substantially higher tha...Read more
Expenses
What are the top 10 most expensive cities in the world?
Logistical issues and currency fluctuations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the most expensive cities in the world drastically change, new research has revealed. ...Read more
Expenses
Sydney adviser pleads guilty to misappropriating $2.9m
A Sydney financial adviser has pleaded guilty to misappropriating $2.9 million in his clients’ funds. ...Read more
Expenses
Telstra set to refund 10,000 customers
Ten thousand past and present Telstra customers are entitled to a refund due to being overcharged a total of $2.5 million. ...Read more
Could property prices inflate by another 20%? What’s happening in recent dividend announcements? Did your fund fail the YFYS test?
Listen now
What does the NSW regional permit mean for property investors? Who really wins from the BHP-Woodside merger?
Listen now
The sea and tree-change norm; Square’s acquisition of Afterpay; Why you should think twice before turning to TikTok for advice
Listen now
The Olympic effect on property and equity investors; COVID-19 Disaster Payments and super
Listen now
Expenses
The real reason Sydney’s petrol prices are so high
Sydney fuel prices may seem like they’re soaring, but a recent study indicates that they may be cheaper than you think. ...Read more
Expenses
Morrison backs big pharma, turns back to developing countries
Big pharma is currently fighting to maintain intellectual property protections over COVID-19 vaccines, with Australia refusing to act despite having no pharmaceutical companies. ...Read more
Expenses
Half-price flight scheme launches today
Aussies are being offered half-price flights as the government looks to spur domestic travel to regions it has defined as key to economic recovery. ...Read more
Expenses
Insurance prices rise despite payout falls
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen insurer payouts fall by $500 million, but Australian consumers are continuing to pay more, the consumer watchdog has revealed. ...Read more
Expenses
CBA cops civil proceedings for overcharged interest
ASIC has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth Bank over the bank charging an interest rate on business overdraft accounts that was substantially higher tha...Read more
Expenses
What are the top 10 most expensive cities in the world?
Logistical issues and currency fluctuations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the most expensive cities in the world drastically change, new research has revealed. ...Read more
Expenses
Sydney adviser pleads guilty to misappropriating $2.9m
A Sydney financial adviser has pleaded guilty to misappropriating $2.9 million in his clients’ funds. ...Read more
Expenses
Telstra set to refund 10,000 customers
Ten thousand past and present Telstra customers are entitled to a refund due to being overcharged a total of $2.5 million. ...Read more
More articles
Website Notifications
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
