Any experiences with TripADeal cancellations and getting a refund?

Seat0B

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My 90 yo Father in Law has had his European holiday (incl river cruise) booked and paid in full last year for travel August 2020 cancelled by TripADeal. Cost over $13,000. He took insurance as part of the TripADeal package, with their insurer, who of course has a "no claims in pandemics" clause. And being old, he paid them by EFT so no chance of a credit card charge back 👎.

TripADeal has been trying to get him to accept vouchers, but he is reluctant due to his age and the uncertainty about when the borders might open. So he asked for a refund.

They responded that it will be "best endeavours" only and went into a lot of detail about how they get cheap deals by making non-refundable group airfare bookings, and said they have paid out a lot of non-refundable deposits for other services, so that he should be prepared for less than a full refund. This seems pretty unfair to me - that's their business model and the risks flowing from that model are theirs, I feel.

Has anyone had success with getting a refund out of this mob? Anyone with advice on what to do next?
 
My 90 yo Father in Law has had his European holiday (incl river cruise) booked and paid in full last year for travel August 2020 cancelled by TripADeal. Cost over $13,000. He took insurance as part of the TripADeal package, with their insurer, who of course has a "no claims in pandemics" clause. And being old, he paid them by EFT so no chance of a credit card charge back 👎.

TripADeal has been trying to get him to accept vouchers, but he is reluctant due to his age and the uncertainty about when the borders might open. So he asked for a refund.

They responded that it will be "best endeavours" only and went into a lot of detail about how they get cheap deals by making non-refundable group airfare bookings, and said they have paid out a lot of non-refundable deposits for other services, so that he should be prepared for less than a full refund. This seems pretty unfair to me - that's their business model and the risks flowing from that model are theirs, I feel.

Has anyone had success with getting a refund out of this mob? Anyone with advice on what to do next?

i would be looking at TripADeal's cancellation policy, which can be found here: Refund Policy TripADeal

This states that you are entitled to a refund where:

9. prior to travel, the provider of the travel offer ceases trading or ceases to provide the goods or services that are the subject of the travel offer.​
So i guess you would be making the argument that the provider of the travel has ceased to provide the goods or services that were the subject of the offer (and you would be making the argument that the August 2020 cruise, the subject of the offer, are the services not being offered anymore, not that the service is still available in some other year).

I would seek assistance from the consumer affairs centre in your state. TripADeal may argue that the service provider is still offering the services, just not at the date originally intended. But i don't think that's a strong argument.

I'd make a copy of TripADeal's cancellation terms before they change them, and pursue a full refund under ACL.
 
i would be looking at TripADeal's cancellation policy, which can be found here: Refund Policy TripADeal

This states that you are entitled to a refund where:

9. prior to travel, the provider of the travel offer ceases trading or ceases to provide the goods or services that are the subject of the travel offer.​
So i guess you would be making the argument that the provider of the travel has ceased to provide the goods or services that were the subject of the offer (and you would be making the argument that the August 2020 cruise, the subject of the offer, are the services not being offered anymore, not that the service is still available in some other year).

I would seek assistance from the consumer affairs centre in your state. TripADeal may argue that the service provider is still offering the services, just not at the date originally intended. But i don't think that's a strong argument.

I'd make a copy of TripADeal's cancellation terms before they change them, and pursue a full refund under ACL.
Thanks very much for this good advice.
 
It’s amazing how there’s such a contrast in how some agencies are handling this.

I had 2 SQ Business class tickets from Europe to Sydney (return) booked for September with FlyFar. I was expecting a massive fight and it was a good sum of money (just shy of $10,000). As soon as SQ extended the cancellation window to September, I emailed FlyFar expecting the worst however got a response within 24 hours saying they’d cancelled the ticket and would process a refund when SQ return the funds. I’ve since been receiving an email update every 2 weeks.

You really can’t pick the good from the bad before it’s too late.
 
It’s amazing how there’s such a contrast in how some agencies are handling this.

I had 2 SQ Business class tickets from Europe to Sydney (return) booked for September with FlyFar. I was expecting a massive fight and it was a good sum of money (just shy of $10,000). As soon as SQ extended the cancellation window to September, I emailed FlyFar expecting the worst however got a response within 24 hours saying they’d cancelled the ticket and would process a refund when SQ return the funds. I’ve since been receiving an email update every 2 weeks.

You really can’t pick the good from the bad before it’s too late.
Yes I had a similarly good experience with Finnair and QFlyer. But a friend had a bad experience with Flight Center and another with Luxury Escapes. It’s just a game of roulette with your money.
 
i would be looking at TripADeal's cancellation policy, which can be found here: Refund Policy TripADeal

This states that you are entitled to a refund where:

9. prior to travel, the provider of the travel offer ceases trading or ceases to provide the goods or services that are the subject of the travel offer.​
So i guess you would be making the argument that the provider of the travel has ceased to provide the goods or services that were the subject of the offer (and you would be making the argument that the August 2020 cruise, the subject of the offer, are the services not being offered anymore, not that the service is still available in some other year).

I would seek assistance from the consumer affairs centre in your state. TripADeal may argue that the service provider is still offering the services, just not at the date originally intended. But i don't think that's a strong argument.

I'd make a copy of TripADeal's cancellation terms before they change them, and pursue a full refund under ACL.


I think the significant bit here is the may bit (my bolding)

WHEN TRIPADEAL MAY PROVIDE REFUNDS

TripADeal may provide a refund of amounts you have paid to us in connection with the relevant travel products and services if :

I have friends that have tried and again they paid with EFT and so have got zip out of them. Mind you they have just let it slip whereas I would be at them like a dog at a bone.
 
I think the significant bit here is the may bit (my bolding)

WHEN TRIPADEAL MAY PROVIDE REFUNDS

TripADeal may provide a refund of amounts you have paid to us in connection with the relevant travel products and services if :

I have friends that have tried and again they paid with EFT and so have got zip out of them. Mind you they have just let it slip whereas I would be at them like a dog at a bone.

I'm not sure much will turn on the use of the word 'may'. It would need to be read in the ordinary context, for an ordinary consumer. reading the contract as a lay person it seems clear to me that TripADeal will provide refunds where the supplier no longer offers services. This would be inline with the ACL.
 
I'm not sure much will turn on the use of the word 'may'. It would need to be read in the ordinary context, for an ordinary consumer. reading the contract as a lay person it seems clear to me that TripADeal will provide refunds where the supplier no longer offers services. This would be inline with the ACL.

So my friends were supposed to go to Japan. Not very travel savvy and not very worldly so it's very hard trying to get them to persist but I'll see what I can do. They have been told they can only get vouchers because they have already paid the businesses in Japan and they can't get their money back.
 
Ummmm.... that doesn’t mean anything! They are bound by ACL. Not the consumer’s issue if they have paid suppliers in Japan.

And anyway.... knowing the japanese... i *highly doubt* they have said ‘no refunds’, if japanese airlines are anything to go by.
 
Ummmm.... that doesn’t mean anything! They are bound by ACL. Not the consumer’s issue if they have paid suppliers in Japan.

And anyway.... knowing the japanese... i *highly doubt* they have said ‘no refunds’, if japanese airlines are anything to go by.
Yes @MEL_Traveller, that is exactly my point about their business model is for them, not for the customer to deal with.

And I totally agree with you about Japan and support to the customer by Japanese business!
 
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i would be looking at TripADeal's cancellation policy, which can be found here: Refund Policy TripADeal

This states that you are entitled to a refund where:

9. prior to travel, the provider of the travel offer ceases trading or ceases to provide the goods or services that are the subject of the travel offer.​
So i guess you would be making the argument that the provider of the travel has ceased to provide the goods or services that were the subject of the offer (and you would be making the argument that the August 2020 cruise, the subject of the offer, are the services not being offered anymore, not that the service is still available in some other year).

I would seek assistance from the consumer affairs centre in your state. TripADeal may argue that the service provider is still offering the services, just not at the date originally intended. But i don't think that's a strong argument.

I'd make a copy of TripADeal's cancellation terms before they change them, and pursue a full refund under ACL.
Hello @Seat0B,
I wouldn't dwell on the TripADeal Ts&Cs for too long. TripADeal's online version has changed since mid(ish) last year when you indicated your Father In Law paid and it is the version current at the time of booking that apply.

I too had a cancelled TripADeal trip and it took 4 months of multiple credit offers, many many email exchanges and several varying "Best Endeavor" refunds before I received a refund into my account.

I recommend the Facebook group "TripACon Trip A Deal" to you - it has several hundred people in a similar situation to your FIL, experienced in the long drawn out debate with TripADeal and with a wealth of good advice to assist.

Best wishes.
 
Hello @Seat0B,
I wouldn't dwell on the TripADeal Ts&Cs for too long. TripADeal's online version has changed since mid(ish) last year when you indicated your Father In Law paid and it is the version current at the time of booking that apply.

I too had a cancelled TripADeal trip and it took 4 months of multiple credit offers, many many email exchanges and several varying "Best Endeavor" refunds before I received a refund into my account.

I recommend the Facebook group "TripACon Trip A Deal" to you - it has several hundred people in a similar situation to your FIL, experienced in the long drawn out debate with TripADeal and with a wealth of good advice to assist.

Best wishes.
thanks @TroubleWithTAD - sorry your first post here is on such a miserable topic! I've asked for advice here because there are so many helpful members of this group - now +1 more in you! I will look at the FB group you suggest and see if FIL kept a copy of conditions from the time of booking (which I truly think is unlikely).
 
thanks @TroubleWithTAD - sorry your first post here is on such a miserable topic! I've asked for advice here because there are so many helpful members of this group - now +1 more in you! I will look at the FB group you suggest and see if FIL kept a copy of conditions from the time of booking (which I truly think is unlikely).

Even the current conditions are a good start - I can't imagine the pre-covid ones are worse! The current ones should be enough to start a discussion with consumer affairs.
 
Hello @Seat0B,
I wouldn't dwell on the TripADeal Ts&Cs for too long. TripADeal's online version has changed since mid(ish) last year when you indicated your Father In Law paid and it is the version current at the time of booking that apply.

I too had a cancelled TripADeal trip and it took 4 months of multiple credit offers, many many email exchanges and several varying "Best Endeavor" refunds before I received a refund into my account.

I recommend the Facebook group "TripACon Trip A Deal" to you - it has several hundred people in a similar situation to your FIL, experienced in the long drawn out debate with TripADeal and with a wealth of good advice to assist.

Best wishes.

If you do have a copy of the old T&C it would be good to post a copy here. Welcome to AFF and TIA
 
thanks @TroubleWithTAD - sorry your first post here is on such a miserable topic! I've asked for advice here because there are so many helpful members of this group - now +1 more in you! I will look at the FB group you suggest and see if FIL kept a copy of conditions from the time of booking (which I truly think is unlikely).
"Older" Ts&Cs frin different timeframes are available on the "Tripacon ..." FB page AND there is a post describing use of the "Time Machine" to retrieve "old" documents from the internet.
 
My 90 yo Father in Law has had his European holiday (incl river cruise) booked and paid in full last year for travel August 2020 cancelled by TripADeal. Cost over $13,000. He took insurance as part of the TripADeal package, with their insurer, who of course has a "no claims in pandemics" clause. And being old, he paid them by EFT so no chance of a credit card charge back 👎.

TripADeal has been trying to get him to accept vouchers, but he is reluctant due to his age and the uncertainty about when the borders might open. So he asked for a refund.

They responded that it will be "best endeavours" only and went into a lot of detail about how they get cheap deals by making non-refundable group airfare bookings, and said they have paid out a lot of non-refundable deposits for other services, so that he should be prepared for less than a full refund. This seems pretty unfair to me - that's their business model and the risks flowing from that model are theirs, I feel.

Has anyone had success with getting a refund out of this mob? Anyone with advice on what to do next?
Thrilled to come across this query and all the helpful answers and suggestions. I have received one credit voucher but have another trip due to depart in October which will not go ahead (Lebanon and Jordan). This was over $6,000, and I do not want another voucher. I have tried to post on TAD Travel Buddy Facebook site but they never show - guess they are blocked by Admin. Have now registered for Trip A Con. Thanks to all.
 
Thrilled to come across this query and all the helpful answers and suggestions. I have received one credit voucher but have another trip due to depart in October which will not go ahead (Lebanon and Jordan). This was over $6,000, and I do not want another voucher. I have tried to post on TAD Travel Buddy Facebook site but they never show - guess they are blocked by Admin. Have now registered for Trip A Con. Thanks to all.
Welcome @Sandie-fran. Sorry to meet on such an unfriendly topic, but this forum is a most helpful resource. Keep in touch and let me know how you go. I'll post up anything we get back from them too.
 
We had non refundable accommodation and travel booked In Japan for last March and it was all refunded with no problems. We did book with the providers direct though. Sounds like a lame excuse not to refund for Japan travel.
 
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We had non refundable accommodation and travel booked In Japan for last March and it was all refunded with no problems. We did book with the providers direct though. Sounds like a lame excuse not to refund for Japan travel.

Did you use Trip a deal at all?
 

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