Is your Volotea refund delayed? What should you do to get it faster?
You’ve asked for a full refund due to a cancelled flight, and now you’re left waiting. You might have received an update from the airline or you might still be awaiting a response. While all scenarios vary, it’s imperative to note that in the EU, these matters are regulated. As per the law, your refund should be processed within 7 days.
How should you proceed if your Volotea refund is delayed?
Check your compensation online.
Volotea Refund Is Delayed: Step-By-Step Guide
Are you entitled to a Volotea refund?
In any instance where an European-based airline cancels a flight, they’re obligated to provide you with a refund.
For instance, if Volotea cancels a flight, they should give you an option between a full refund or a replacement flight. Note that in some circumstances, you can obtain a refund only, but in others — refund and flight cancellation compensation.
Step 1: Reach Out to Volotea
Reach out to Volotea customer service through their website.
Unless there are extreme circumstances, like the onset of a global pandemic, you should get a response within a week. If you don’t get a reply after a week, send more messages. Continue this process every few days until you get their attention.
Step 2: Connect with Volotea via Social Media
If your attempts to connect with Volotea go unanswered, leverage social media.
If your emails and messages haven’t elicited a response after a few weeks, reach out to Volotea on Facebook and Twitter. Remind them about the 7-day time limit. Refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Articles 5 and 8.
Step 3: Refuse Voucher Offers
Your Volotea refund should be credited back into your bank account.
You’re not obligated to accept Volotea vouchers or coupons.
Step 4: Get in Touch with the National Enforcement Body (NEB)
Every member state of the EU has its own NEB.
Contact the NEB of the country from which your flight departs. If you flew from Germany, reach out to the Nationale Beschwerde- und Durchsetzungsstelle Fluggastrechte. If you’re departing from a non-EU country, contact the NEB of the destination country. Locate the contact details of these organizations here.
Learn more about this here.
Meanwhile, this is the most lengthy process. It usually takes around 2 months for the relevant NEB to make a decision. And then you have to wait until Volotea processes the payment. For the best outcome, persistently remind them on Volotea’s social media pages and other communication channels.
Check your compensation online.
In Which Situations Can You Get a Volotea Refund?
Are you entitled to a Volotea refund?
Per EU policies, a full refund is due if Volotea is the party cancelling your flight.
Should a flight cancellation occur, Volotea is obligated to provide you with options of either a complete reroute (complimentary alternative flight) or a total ticket price reimbursement. Irrespective of the cancellation cause, even in the instance of extraordinary circumstances, this policy remains applicable. The refund for the cancelled flight should be issued within a week.
Any delay by the airline in refund is a contravention of EU policies, and it is within the passenger’s rights to pursue further actions.
What If You Cancel the Flight Yourself?
When you are the party cancelling the flight, the refund conditions tend to be more intricate. Here are some factors you should take into account:
- Flexible tickets. Should you have bought a flexible ticket, the chances of attaining a refund are quite high but always cross-check the airline’s stipulated terms and conditions to confirm this.
- Non-refundable tickets. With non-refundable tickets, usually, there is no provision for a full refund. Nonetheless, airlines might opt to refund the taxes that were included in your ticket pricing.
- Travel insurance. If you have an insurance cover that caters for cancellations, it’s possible to lodge a refund claim with your insurance provider, dependent on the cancellation cause.
- Cancellation within 24 hours of booking. A number of airlines will refund you fully if cancellation occurs within 24 hours from booking, providing that the booking was done a minimum of 7 days before the flight’s departure date.
- Unforeseen events. In the event that you have to cancel due to unforeseen events, for example, illness or loss, the airline might give a refund or a credit for future travel, depending on the airline’s stipulated policy.
Flight Cancellation due to Extraordinary Circumstances: Can You Get a Refund?
If a cancellation is triggered by exceptional circumstances like harsh weather, airport employee strikes (excluding strikes by airline workers), or security concerns, the airline is generally not held accountable for the cancellation.
But, as per EU regulations (Regulation (EC) No 261/2004), when an airline, such as Volotea, cancels a flight, they are still obligated to present passengers with a choice between a complete refund and an alternative flight option.
This implies that even if the cancellation emerges from extraordinary circumstances, you remain eligible for a refund. It’s important to note that this refund should be processed within a span of seven days. If you experience delays in receiving your refund, don’t hesitate to apply the step-by-step strategy outlined previously.
What is your experience with Volotea refunds? Have you ever received a refund from Volotea? Share your experience in the comments!