I didn't mention in my post about Iceland, but my Facebook friends know that I missed my original flight there from Tel Aviv via Paris, booked through Expedia. The story was so upsetting that I didn't want to revisit it en blogge for posterity, but it involved my oversleeping and forgetting some essential medicine in the fridge and having to return for it. Although we (Pippi Bluestocking, Little Bear, and I) arrived at the airport one hour before the flight took off, the Air-France check-in window had closed by the time we got through the first security line. After a disappointing exchange with the ticket agent, who said she couldn't re-book us that day, we spent an hour on our laptops and cellphone, rebooking ourselves via Lufthansa through Vienna and Amsterdam. We were lucky to find tickets almost as cheap as the first ones, and managed to race through two airports in time to catch our flights. Expedia assured us we were entitled to a refund from Air France, who had cancelled our itinerary before takeoff.
A few weeks after returning home, I mustered the energy to send an eloquent plea to the Air France customer service Post Office box (in Florida!), including copies of everything relevant: Expedia confirmation notice, boarding documents, letter from my doctor regarding the medication, etc. etc. I really didn't expect anything to happen, but it was worth a try.
I checked my credit card statement today, and there was a full credit from Air France for all three tickets! Miracles can happen!
6 comments:
WOW! It took me almost a year to get a refund from Qantas for a flight that they cancelled because of the riots in Bangkok last year. I'm very impressed that Air France refunded you so quickly, and without so much as a question mark.
I am amazed and delighted for you.
A good bedtime story! And your letter must have been even better! Truly eloquent. May the rest of us have copies, for our files?!
Wow - I've flown for many year, and this usually happens after you write letter to the editor, then threaten to sue.
When I lived in the UK, I flew Air France a lot and they always had great service.
JanQFlor - I don't think my letter itself would do anyone much good. The principle is: overwhelm them with documentation. I included copies of every possible relevant item, such as boarding documents, doctor's letter, names and times of attempts to reach various Expedia and Air France personnel. I think I may have bored them into submission!
Fred - see above :-) It didn't occur to me to threaten to sue, but they didn't know that.
I just discovered your blog, and am fascinated with your story on how and why you made aliyah; am rushed now, so I'll have to read it at a later time. I'm looking forward to sitting down (this is not a comfy chair--wish I had a laptop!) with a nice, not cup of coffee with creamer, and reading...
Post a Comment