Overcharged for a flight

[Gremlin]

So I'm travelling in a couple of weeks on a domestic flight with an overseas airline in a country that, shall we say, has significantly less consumer protection and significantly less civil liberties than Australia.

I had to amend my booking the other day and there was a (legitimate) fee that I had to incur. This was roughly $50. I then received two invoices from them via email twelve hours apart. One showing the fee as expected. The second showing a charge for "Miscellaneous Services" for GBP80. Both amounts have been debited from my credit card.

I called their international number and after some time they agreed the second charge had been in error. They then proceeded to tell me that it wasn't their policy to refund in such circumstances. They said that I could cancel the entire booking and they could rebook me less a cancellation fee (which would have left me more out of pocket than the original overcharge).

Under normal circumstances, I'd head straight to my bank for a chargeback. However, I'm not sure I should here. I'm concerned that I'd potentially be denied boarding or worse. Does anyone know if I can take the flight and then dispute the second transaction once I'm safely back in Australia? Any other suggestions?

 

[Hvr]

How long until your trip is finished? If not too long then why not wait until you return and do the charge back then?

Check your banks time limit on how long you have to dispute a charge, it will probably be based on statement issuance date and you may be able to do it then with no problems or concerns.

 

[JessicaTam]

Is it worth trying their call centre again?

How long until the flight?

 

[Gremlin]

It's only a couple of weeks til the flight. I've tried the call centre a couple of times and received the same response. I guess it's part of the joy of dealing with a country where corruption is the norm.

It was months since I made the original booking, but it should only be about 5 weeks from when the disputed charge goes on to the day I'm back in Australia. I'll try a chargeback then.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So I'm travelling in a couple of weeks on a domestic flight with an overseas airline in a country that, shall we say, has significantly less consumer protection and significantly less civil liberties than Australia.

I had to amend my booking the other day and there was a (legitimate) fee that I had to incur. This was roughly $50. I then received two invoices from them via email twelve hours apart. One showing the fee as expected. The second showing a charge for "Miscellaneous Services" for GBP80. Both amounts have been debited from my credit card.

I called their international number and after some time they agreed the second charge had been in error. They then proceeded to tell me that it wasn't their policy to refund in such circumstances. They said that I could cancel the entire booking and they could rebook me less a cancellation fee (which would have left me more out of pocket than the original overcharge).

Under normal circumstances, I'd head straight to my bank for a chargeback. However, I'm not sure I should here. I'm concerned that I'd potentially be denied boarding or worse. Does anyone know if I can take the flight and then dispute the second transaction once I'm safely back in Australia? Any other suggestions?

It's hard to advise without knowing the airline.

 

[UP4014]

What airline?
What county was the booking in?

 

[Alanslegal]

Can you write to them (email?) so you can get something in writing? May help w the chargeback to show you attempted to resolve it prior to the chargeback process.