Easyjet-Child in Great Ormand St.refusing to refund

[Movingon]

I hope this isn't aimed at me... if so I think you misunderstood my post...

[determined-to-win]

Originally Posted by StoneLaughter

I hope this isn't aimed at me... if so I think you misunderstood my post...

NO NO NO!!! absolutely not, if anything your post was exactly along the lines of what I have been trying to get to. Thankyou, I think we posted at the same time, I was more just replying to the comment made here:

''Ah maybe they didn't have travel insurance? If so I dispair I would never dream to heading off to foriegn climbs without it, especially with young children''

to which I found a little upsetting.
Maybe I'm just a tad sensative,

[caro]

I am sure your emotions must be quite raw at the moment, but I guess we are all entitled to our views. No doubt you are worrying much more about the little boy, than this money. I am glad Stonelaughter has been able to give you some practical advice to help you move forward. You really are among friends you know. Don't let things get to you too much.

[DazNorthants]

I am sure that if you can raise enough awareness then Easyjet will see sense, maybe get the right person and all will be settled. Yes, you are right we wouldn't all be here if we could control money better. I think maybe it's because I have young children that I worry about such things. Since having children I have significantly curbed my spending (if a little help from the banks stopping it too) as I have had to be more responsible with money. I guess we all learn from our mistakes often too late.

My comment was that I personally think that travel insurance is such a must (even though it can still be a rip off). In this case although they ended up paying (and again I hope they get a full refund) it could have been much worse. Accidents and illness can happen to all of us at anytime and like this case it is devasting when it occurs, you don't want to be worrying about fighting corporate airlines (that are out to make a fat profit) at times like this.

A few people have said hindsight is a wonderful thing but there is a difference between hindsight and common sense. There are always a risks in life but I think one not worth taking. I understand why you are sensitive as would I be. My point was one of objectively looking in and maybe that in all the goings on that they never thought to claim from their insurance. I have known people that have had fights of money back only to find out they are insured, sometimes small clauses on house insurance covers such things. (worth a look)

[Hayleye]

Just a quick note DTW. Your cousin has checked that she doesnt get travel insurance through her bank accounts hasnt she? I know it's a bit obvious but I always forget and buy it elsewhere.

Additionally, if you still haven't got any joy with EJ, and you need some of us to sign some sort of petition, dont be afraid to ask. Several thousand signatures and a stint in the national press may make them look at the facts a little differently?

Keep up the good work. I'm sure your cousin is very proud of you.

[caro]

Let's hope your awful experience will act as a cautionary tale for those who don't take out insurance as soon as they book. My son is away for 7 weeks and didn't sort his insurance until the weekend before he left despite booking months earlier. I would have nagged him about it much more if I had read this before he left. (Back in just over 2 weeks bless him - 19 years old and first time away from home for longer than a week)

[DazNorthants]

Actually another thought! did they pay for the ticket with credit card! maybe some insurance here too?

[caro]

Cooking with gas now!

[determined-to-win]

Thankyou so much. You know, I think it just is the fact that she's got so much on her plate, with a 2 year old to look after aswell, its costing her over £230 a month to travel every day to the hospital and she doesnt get any help with that, and to be honest, one of the most upsetting things for the little boy was when my cousin told him they would have to cancel the holiday, he was so upset. I just want so much to get this money back for her so that she can give him something to aim for, and she can tell him that theyll go on holiday when he gets better. In situations like these we all feel so useless, I just want to do something that she hasnt got the time to do because if she did have the time to do it, she wouldnt need to, she would have gone on holiday and everything would be fine.

[caro]

It might be worth checking with hospital social services if their might be any help available to cover travel costs to the hospital. I am pretty sure there are, depending on her circumstances. eg if she claims certain benefits.

[determined-to-win]

Originally Posted by caro

It might be worth checking with hospital social services if their might be any help available to cover travel costs to the hospital. I am pretty sure there are, depending on her circumstances. eg if she claims certain benefits.

Thanks, we've been down that road, unfortunately because she works, (which of course she isnt at the moment because she has to take unpaid leave) she just gets tax credits, and they arent low enough for her to be entitled, she'd have to give up her job and claim benefits, something she's isnt going to do. Another bug bearer full of catches. You can see how frustrating it is..

Also, she paid by debit card, so again, not covered by credit card insurance, just one brick wall after another..No the issue here should stay at Easyjets door I think, Im just of the opinion that they should refund her if they didnt provide the service that she paid for given the reasonable amount of time from cancellation. Im sure there must be something somewhere in some statutory right that is hiding somewhere and i just cant find it

[Rich44]

I think Easyjets attitude to this is unbelievable if I was an Easyjet phone monkey and I heard that story I would at least go find a manager to talk to about it instead of just throwing t+c's in your face at the end of the day this is going to look really bad on Easyjet when the press get hold of it.

If they are adamant that they wont budge I wonder if you sent a Data Protection Act letter in with £10 asking for the information about the seats booked and whether they were resold before travel if they were it would pretty much make a cast iron strong case before a judge in County Court.

I think a registered post letter to the CEO of Easyjet should be the next route and see what he personally has to say about it.

As for the travel insurance aspect how many of us dont book the insurance at the time of booking but hunt around prior to travelling for the best deal, i've done it and booked 2 weeks before travelling I suppose its something we should learn a lesson about now but as they say hindsight is a wonderful thing

I wish everyone concerned well

[Movingon]

How does the Data Protection Act help here? It gives us access to information about PEOPLE (Data Subjects) not aircraft seats...

There is no way you could demand information about whether seats were re-sold under any act from a commercial organisation; it would very definitely be commercially sensitive.

The way to get this out of them is to put them to strict proof that the plane flew with DTW's seats EMPTY, when (if) it goes to court.

[stacymason]

Hiya,

The situation must be a nightmare, I can't imagine what your cousins going through and I can't believe easyjet could be so uncaring.

Try emailing The Sun Newspaper, I know they're not the best in the world but they usually love resolving things like this because it makes them look great.
talkback@the-sun.co.uk.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Stacy x

[Rich44]

Information regarding YOU it was relating to seats they purchased and there is no harm in asking is there?

As for it being commercially sensitive information well thats just rubbish I could understand that if you were asking about a large scale situation ie answers on several flights but we are talking about a few seats here hardly damaging information is it.

I didnt say it was definately the way to go but its better than sitting on your backside doing nothing isnt it.

I dont believe if it went to court they would have to reveal whether the seats were resold or not they would probably just stick to the defense that its their t+c's.

[heidi1]

Hi, I'm sorry for your troubles and hope the little boy is doing well.

Just a thought, and it might be a stupid one, but have you seen "Don't get done, Get Dom?" on telly, its on during the day and he has fought a battle with Thomas cook for a disabled couple. It was a long battle, but he won it in the end and got the couple a full refund! Just thought, it might be an idea to give that a try, because along with that, comes bad PR for EJ... ON TV!!!!!

I am a Travel Consultant of 10 yrs, and I would love nothing more than to rub EJ's nose right in it, but I really cant offer much else as what eveyone else has said, basically because of their t & c's.

Ask your cousin to check for Travel ins on her credit and debit cards. She may have a policy she doesn't know about. Also if she paid on her credit card, I wonder if she can claim the money back from that?

Keep us posted! Good Luck.

Heidi