Travel headaches is new normal?

[Bluetongue]

So I have to travel to Australia to attend to some things and can work there for a few months as well. Originally my Thai flight was 17 April, cancelled and subsequently I rebooked it in October as that was the earliest that Thai were resuming flying. That's how it stands at the moment. Then they announced they were resuming flying in July, including 3 times weekly direct to Brisbane. Then without an announcement (as far as I can see) that's been put back to August. When I really want to go. Assuming they allow me to change again that would be the easiest way. I've noticed Singapore Airlines has started services back to Australia and you can book straight through from Bangkok via Singapore for 30000. It seems they are flying empty into Bangkok. That would seem to be a more definite option. So thats a dilemma. i dont really need any help from members, deciding on this. Just putting it out there that the Thai Government has really hamstrung its bankrupt carrier with its indecisiveness around restarting of flights. Then I have to worry about getting back in here, my extension expires mid January, probably best to buy the insurance before I go, I really cant see them letting that one disappear. Has anyone successfully bought a reasonable policy yet.

[taxout]

This is becoming a real problem. Airlines and online agents are taking bookings (and payments) for flights in the next few months that may well not ever take off. Or if they do take off, you may not be permitted to transit at the transit airport. Etc.

 

A cynic would say this is just an easy way of banking some money off gullible passengers. The record of getting your money back from cancelled flights the past few months has been disgraceful.

 

[gearbox]

OP, there is a flight with Cathay Pacific BKK-SYD one way for 14k baht on 14th June. That's within a week. I wouldn't rely on bookings more than 1-2 weeks ahead, as things can change any time. Airlines are desperate for money and will take a forward booking with only a little chance of flying. For example Airasia is selling daily service KUL-SYD starting from August, although the Oz government indicated the outbound travel ban won't probably be lifted until 2021.

 

I have 5 flights booked until the end of the year,  all bookings were made before the coronavirus outbreak. I expect all of them to be cancelled or moved around. That's on top of 3 cancelled flights already,  and I got a fairly useless credit voucher for one of them.

 

One thing to note that the current consumer protection of the customer's rights in regards to airline ticket refunds is not strong in Thailand and Oz. Once the ticket is paid you may never see your money again. Your options are date changes or credit vouchers.

[Bluetongue]

Well I got a refund off Qantas for a cancelled US flight, it took about 8 weeks. And thanks gearbox, I did hear about Cathay starting back up. Singapore are flying a triangle SIN/SYD/BNE/SIN and I saw it went today for instance, although I dont think the BKK/SIN connecting leg is starting until July. So it seems that Singapore is thinking a bit out of the box positioning themselves as having seats in the market awaiting business to grow, and not waiting for the Thai Government, whereas Thai is. If I do go with Singapore then I'll see if I can put my Thai ticket on ice til next year and hope they're still flying. At this stage I'm more worried about getting back in here in January, they seem to be very cautious and who knows what they might do. That is of course if Australia lets me out by then. I had a look at the exemption form and I dont think I'd have a snowball's chance in hell of that, I'd have to go for compassionate grounds. Anyway if the worst comes I'll just be in Australia longer and have to start up a new entry/visa/extension process which would be annoying.

[gearbox]

30 minutes ago, Bluetongue said:

Well I got a refund off Qantas for a cancelled US flight, it took about 8 weeks.

 

You got a refund because the flight was from/to US, they have better consumer protection rights. This won't apply for BKK-SYD. I got a refund for a flight Mumbai-Koh Samui because of the Indian consumer protection rights, however SingAir did try to fool me with a voucher offer first.

 

https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/covid-19-coronavirus-information-for-consumers

 

The ACCC generally sided with the airlines in the covid19 case. In Thailand only domestic flights are covered by the legislation for refunds.

 

If you buy more expensive ticket, like fully flexible, you may get some refund depending on the ticket conditions, but you probably won't get the full amount back.

[kurtcap]

just out of interest if you needed to be back there would you not have repatriated when all the warnings to do so we're issued? You've taken a chance and risk that has not worked in your favour by not doing so, was this not factored in when you took this risk? 

[Max69xl]

On 6/8/2020 at 3:46 PM, taxout said:

This is becoming a real problem. Airlines and online agents are taking bookings (and payments) for flights in the next few months that may well not ever take off. Or if they do take off, you may not be permitted to transit at the transit airport. Etc.

 

A cynic would say this is just an easy way of banking some money off gullible passengers. The record of getting your money back from cancelled flights the past few months has been disgraceful.

 

OP doesn't know that Thai Airways went bankrupt just 2 weeks ago and the international fleet is grounded until August. Refunds will take at least 6 months if there will be any. 

[Bluetongue]

22 hours ago, kurtcap said:

just out of interest if you needed to be back there would you not have repatriated when all the warnings to do so we're issued? You've taken a chance and risk that has not worked in your favour by not doing so, was this not factored in when you took this risk? 

At first I thought I still might be able to go on 17 April. Then the need to do that evaporated because a person I was replacing cancelled their trips. Then the flight was cancelled. As a member of the at risk group, over 60 with comorbidity, i decided not to rush into flying on expensive alternatives to cities I didn't want to quarantine in when I didn't need to be there anyway. Since then a couple of things have cropped up and things having settled down a bit opens up the option for me. i am in perfect safety here, no issues whatsoever but I am starting to get a few hassles over different things that require me to be there at some stage. OK?

[Bluetongue]

18 hours ago, Max69xl said:

OP doesn't know that Thai Airways went bankrupt just 2 weeks ago and the international fleet is grounded until August. Refunds will take at least 6 months if there will be any. 

Totally aware of all that, did you even read the post, never sought a refund. At the moment it appears they are still functioning, that is all I require.

[Blumpie]

The real problem is there aren't insurers who will insure your trip right now.  The chances of getting plane ticket cancelled is far too high, and they can't insure it.  

[bkk6060]

It is like a Ponzi scheme.

They are getting money for bookings then canceling and delaying refunds for months or giving mileage vouchers for the future.  The airlines are some of the worst run businesses in the world the total industry needs a revamp.