Coronavirus : Flight cancellations and contingencies

[tth_ben]

10 weeks, huh. Explains why I heard nothing regarding the refund request I put in on the 9th. And to think that if not for this whole mess, I would be flying off today...

But on a more realistic note that's probably when the bailout money from Temasek comes in.

I sent a LinkedIn msg to Mak Swee Wah asking why they disabled the travel agents' ability to process automatic refunds and if they are merely trying to hold on to the customers' cash. No response. Emailed the CEO end of the week - doubt there will be any response either.

Poor form for a loyal PPS member. And I will remember this when flights eventually start going back up.

[yuuka_miya]

^^ I'm just a random pleb but that sounds awfully like a DYKWIA to me...

Guess we wait and see.

[tth_ben]

^^ I'm just a random pleb but that sounds awfully like a DYKWIA to me...

Guess we wait and see.

Excerpt from SQ's reply.

"We would like to assure you that your refund will be processed and returned to your original form of payment. However, due to an unprecedented backlog of refund requests from the COVID-19 situation, there will be a delay in processing. Our team is prioritising refunds based on the original departure date. For example, refunds for flights that have departed this month will be prioritised over flights that would be departing next month.

The refund due to you will therefore be processed in June 2020. When the amount will be credited to you will be subject to the credit card billing cycle of your bank. Nonetheless, we will do everything we can to process refund requests as soon as possible."

My flight was scheduled for May 2020.

It's very clear that this is a tactic to avoid SQ's balance sheet falling off the cliff in the current quarter. Notably, there was no response to my question on why they don't allow travel agents to issue the refunds directly.

[alian]

So true. It takes them seconds to collect payment but months to refund. Really says a lot about customer first policy. It’s not only SQ but all airlines and this goes to show how our society and economy has evolved over the decades and now be so dependent on tomorrow’s money.

Really sad how this tiny virus has shown a big gap in our way of life. Optimist in me says humanity will change after this wake up call but the pessimist in me thinks we will continue these mistakes and end up with a deficit we will never dig out of

[tth_ben]

Will be filing a claim against SQ in the SCT. Since they cannot even make things right for a loyal customer, then it's time to take things up the black and white route.

Process is online so unaffected by the CB. Absolute joke. So imagine if your flight was in July and you decided to cancel it in March during the height of the travel restrictions. Based on SQ's logic, you will only receive your refund in August 2020 earliest.

My flight was in fact scheduled for departure this weekend...

[wlgspotter]

So true. It takes them seconds to collect payment but months to refund. Really says a lot about customer first policy. It’s not only SQ but all airlines and this goes to show how our society and economy has evolved over the decades and now be so dependent on tomorrow’s money.

Really sad how this tiny virus has shown a big gap in our way of life. Optimist in me says humanity will change after this wake up call but the pessimist in me thinks we will continue these mistakes and end up with a deficit we will never dig out of

This is so very true. We were originally booked to travel AKL-NRT vv with Air NZ in April, but our flights were cancelled by NZ. However, NZ is not even giving outright refunds, but rather “only” flight credits without and “loss of monetary value”. The credit are valid for a year, and we can see it to book flights up to a year ahead. So, with the credit having to be used by end March 2021, technically we could book travel up to March 2020, so we’ve hung onto the credit first and will see how it goes. It we choose to get a refund then it will be subjected to cancellation fees. That’s how some airlines (like NZ) takes $$ and hold onto it and won’t give it back to you for a service that they are not even providing, yet... Customer “loyalty” or status doesn’t even count here given that we are Air NZ Elite status with NZ...

[zilchster]

Will be filing a claim against SQ in the SCT. Since they cannot even make things right for a loyal customer, then it's time to take things up the black and white route.

Process is online so unaffected by the CB. Absolute joke. So imagine if your flight was in July and you decided to cancel it in March during the height of the travel restrictions. Based on SQ's logic, you will only receive your refund in August 2020 earliest.

My flight was in fact scheduled for departure this weekend...

I'm not sure how filing a claim against SQ in the SCT would actually help your situation. It's not as though SQ isn't going to pay up.

[tth_ben]

I'm not sure how filing a claim against SQ in the SCT would actually help your situation. It's not as though SQ isn't going to pay up.

That's like telling the bank not to foreclose on a delayed mortgage payment as it's not as if the debtor wont pay up in the end (but give more extension as and when needed, la) after he/she sorts out his affairs.

[alian]

That's like telling the bank not to foreclose on a delayed mortgage payment as it's not as if the debtor wont pay up in the end (but give more extension as and when needed, la) after he/she sorts out his affairs.

You are right but it’s reality. Big corporations always hide behind their rules and regulations and by the time the right thing is done it’s too darn long. By the time u bring your case to SCT etc with the hearing blah blah blah plus nego session it’ll be august

Trust me I’ve dragged the likes of Citibank, Nokia and Apple to court and while I did “win” it meant nothing to them and the effort was far for worth it.

The world is rigged for the big corporations and hardly beneficial to consumers.

Your point about the bank mortgage is so right but you are not the bank and don’t control the cards. If you were the bank you’d win but now you are the consumer and consumers always lose And bankers always win like a casino.

The only time the consumer wins is when the majority of consumers back you up but this is gonna be one man fight and not many will support. I too have flights I cancelled June and you can PM to follow up. It’s a very sad fact

Sorry if I’m saying things too crudely and apologize in advance if I’m offending you or anyone. I’m just spilling my personal opinion and also venting my frustrations

[zilchster]

That's like telling the bank not to foreclose on a delayed mortgage payment as it's not as if the debtor wont pay up in the end (but give more extension as and when needed, la) after he/she sorts out his affairs.

It's not that, but you are not necessarily going to achieve a better result by dragging SQ to the SCT. At best, maybe a two or three weeks faster.

You wouldn't go straight for a hearing. You would have to book a consultation. And with the CB currently in place, I'm not sure if the consultation would take place soon. If it all fails, it goes to hearing. And SQ doesn't have to pay you the money immediately. They are given a certain amount of time from the date of the order to pay.

https://www.statecourts.gov.sg/cws/S...formation.aspx

[SQ_326]

Do take note that Singapore had passed the Covid19 Temporary Measures Act. I think airlines are within the scope of this law and among all, you wouldn’t be able to bring any material legal action to SQ within 6 months from late March. And this act can be extended by another 6 months when appropriate. So if you’re waiting for a refund then you have to be patient...

[ponders]

Do take note that Singapore had passed the Covid19 Temporary Measures Act. I think airlines are within the scope of this law and among all, you wouldn’t be able to bring any material legal action to SQ within 6 months from late March. And this act can be extended by another 6 months when appropriate. So if you’re waiting for a refund then you have to be patient...

And this is retroactive to "contracts" from 1 Feb 2020.

[zilchster]

Will be filing a claim against SQ in the SCT. Since they cannot even make things right for a loyal customer, then it's time to take things up the black and white route.

Process is online so unaffected by the CB. Absolute joke. So imagine if your flight was in July and you decided to cancel it in March during the height of the travel restrictions. Based on SQ's logic, you will only receive your refund in August 2020 earliest.

My flight was in fact scheduled for departure this weekend...

Hey, I understand that you are somewhat miffed and angry with SQ, and you probably want to lodge a SCT claim, have your day in front of a third party/court, and feel vindicated.

I'm not sure if this is worth the trouble though. I'm not a lawyer, but I've hung around the State Courts enough to know that sometimes using the law may not produce the best outcome.

[SQ_326]

Hey, I understand that you are somewhat miffed and angry with SQ, and you probably want to lodge a SCT claim, have your day in front of a third party/court, and feel vindicated.

I'm not sure if this is worth the trouble though. I'm not a lawyer, but I've hung around the State Courts enough to know that sometimes using the law may not produce the best outcome.

Unfortunately, hanging onto refunds is part of the lifeline for almost all airlines now and timing of such disbursement is a matter of life and death. Passengers are unsecured creditors, and if everyone pulls the trigger and go to the courts, they’ll get nothing too. It’s frustrating but when the shit hits the fan, everyone gets it. Just wait...

[reddevil0728]

I sent a LinkedIn msg to Mak Swee Wah asking why they disabled the travel agents' ability to process automatic refunds and if they are merely trying to hold on to the customers' cash. No response. Emailed the CEO end of the week - doubt there will be any response either.

Poor form for a loyal PPS member. And I will remember this when flights eventually start going back up.

With their survival at stake, I don't think they will mind losing you as a loyal PPS member just so that other more loyal QPPS/TPPS have a status to go back to after this crisis.

If there isn't even a SIA, a status means nothing.

Excerpt from SQ's reply.

"We would like to assure you that your refund will be processed and returned to your original form of payment. However, due to an unprecedented backlog of refund requests from the COVID-19 situation, there will be a delay in processing. Our team is prioritising refunds based on the original departure date. For example, refunds for flights that have departed this month will be prioritised over flights that would be departing next month.

The refund due to you will therefore be processed in June 2020. When the amount will be credited to you will be subject to the credit card billing cycle of your bank. Nonetheless, we will do everything we can to process refund requests as soon as possible."

My flight was scheduled for May 2020.

It's very clear that this is a tactic to avoid SQ's balance sheet falling off the cliff in the current quarter. Notably, there was no response to my question on why they don't allow travel agents to issue the refunds directly.

Even if that is the case, I guess anybody who is sensible can see why they are doing what they are doing. They are not denying a refund to you are they?

Will be filing a claim against SQ in the SCT. Since they cannot even make things right for a loyal customer, then it's time to take things up the black and white route.

Process is online so unaffected by the CB. Absolute joke. So imagine if your flight was in July and you decided to cancel it in March during the height of the travel restrictions. Based on SQ's logic, you will only receive your refund in August 2020 earliest.

My flight was in fact scheduled for departure this weekend...

That's like telling the bank not to foreclose on a delayed mortgage payment as it's not as if the debtor wont pay up in the end (but give more extension as and when needed, la) after he/she sorts out his affairs.

Actually why do you have to defend your decision? If you would like to file, you can go ahead to file regardless of what people here say isn't it? I doubt it will change your mind. Don't get so worked up. Chill.