Emirates refund policy update

[pn1]

I had an Emirates Melbourne-Dubai/Athens-Melbourne-Dubai booking in conjunction with a cruise from Dubai to Athens, all of which were cancelled. The ticket was booked online through the Emirates website.

I applied for a refund from Emirates but today I got an email offering "alternative" options:

1Maintaining the original booking on flights to/from the region concerned. No extra cost or additional fees or charges. Two year validity from date of original booking. (This was the default option for the original booking - for which I had previously applied for a cash refund).

2 Credit voucher for actual cost of original booking. Credit to be used within 12 months (towards any new booking) but options to extend for a further 12 months or apply for a refund at that time.

3 If either option (1) or (2) weren't attractive, you could reapply for a cash refund of the original booking cost - with the "proviso" to expect long delays.

I am unsure about option 1 considering it was a three-legged journey (i.e. Melbourne-Dubai, Athens-Dubai, Dubai-Melbourne). The cost was $1740. It could be attractive if, when "things return to normal" fares may be considerable higher than before COVID-19.

Paul in Melbourne

 

[annieando]

Hi Paul

We have also cancelled our trip and applied for a refund with Emirates. However we have been waiting nearly 26 days for any response. We have called 3 times but each time we are told our case will be escalated.
I was just wondering how long you have been waiting for a response?
I would like to know which option you decide to choose? I presume I we will be offered the same.

Thank you
Anne

 

[pn1]

We applied for a full refund. We were advised it had to be done online and that the refund would processed "in the fullness of time" but to allow 12 to 16 weeks, probably longer.

 

[ayebee]

We applied for a full refund. We were advised it had to be done online and that the refund would processed "in the fullness of time" but to allow 12 to 16 weeks, probably longer.

Hi pn1.
How did you go with the Emirates refund?
What conditions / type of ticket did you have?

I have an Emirates + Flydubai itinerary departing end August and I am getting the usual minor updates as if the flights will operate.
I will definitely not be travelling as my Sundowners "5 Golden Stans" tour has been cancelled (**) so I will need to cancel my Emirates ticket.
I note Emirates are operating DXB-MEL services but their website Travel updates | Help | Emirates Australia also states you can get a refund where there are government travel bans or advisories.

I would appreciate advice on experience with Emirates and any tips.


** the Sundowners tour refund is a work in progress, and may become another thread depending on progress.

 

[pn1]

I was able to get through to Emirates and, after considerable discussion, decided on the "do nothing now" option which means my partner and I should be entitled to a return ticket from Melbourne to Europe with no extra fees or charges payable. When the world returns to normal, of course. This offer has an expiry date. I understand we could apply for a refund at that time if it wasn't possible to travel to Europe under what I call the "do nothing now" option.

Hope that makes some sense.

 

[ayebee]

Thanks for getting back and it does make sense.
With 3+ months to go I have also been playing the do nothing now game of cancellation chicken.
Most of the credits I have read about seem to be $ value with the potential for needing to pay more if there is a fare difference. Not sure what happens to unused credits if fares are lower.

Hope you enjoy your Europe trip whenever that may be.

 

[annieando]

We have also contacted out bank and we are trying to get out money back through Visa charge back (as the tickets were paid for on our Visa). We contacted the bank approx 1 month ago and we have just been asked for more information regarding the entire situation. I will let you know the outcome. Fingers crossed.

 

[YSSY]

We booked Emirates flights via EDreams/Opodo and have gone down the credit chargeback line with Qantas Premier. I have as much sympathy for the airline as an airline has for me, which I suspect is zilch.

 

[ayebee]

There seems to be very little action in this "Emirates" refund thread. I am hoping that is because they have not been a problem.

Posted back in May that I would wait until closer to our travel date of 25 August.
On 18 July I had an online chat with an agent and got advice on the form to use, and to include reference to COVID in the reason. I got the impression from the agent it would all be handled as a matter of course. The confirmation email I got said they would respond "as quickly as possible".

OK, it is only about 6 weeks so far, but I am wondering what others' experiences have been?

 

[pn1]

I chose to the option for a similar ticket to be issued "in the future" rather than a cash refund so no further advice received.

 

[ayebee]

There seems to be very little action in this "Emirates" refund thread. I am hoping that is because they have not been a problem.

Posted back in May that I would wait until closer to our travel date of 25 August.
On 18 July I had an online chat with an agent and got advice on the form to use, and to include reference to COVID in the reason. I got the impression from the agent it would all be handled as a matter of course. The confirmation email I got said they would respond "as quickly as possible".

OK, it is only about 6 weeks so far, but I am wondering what others' experiences have been?

So closing the loop here, with some good news

Received emails (1 per ticket) Thursday 3 Sept advising the refunds had been processed.
The credits turned up on my AMEX today Saturday 5 Sept.
The refund is the full amount originally paid. No fees or penalties.
Given the request was made 18 July that is 7 weeks.

I think that was a good experience.

 

[Snowman_ROK]

Hi all - I realise this is an older thread, but didn't like to open a new one (I'm also a long-standing member but have had to set up a new profile as I can't remember my old password and no longer have access to the email that was associated with it).

I have an EK flight booked Glasgow to Dubai in four weeks. EK still haven't resumed flights to Scotland and don't think there is any mention of it on the horizon at the moment. I'm pretty sure the flight won't go.

When do you reckon they will cancel the booking? I'd love to know so I can make alternative plans (haven't wanted to yet just in case the flights re-start).

Thanks so much!