How to get refund from Delta Airlines or Bank after using Checkcard?

Question

We booked 2 flights on Jun 21 on delta.com using our Wachovia Visa business checkcard. We decided not to fly the next day, and Called up Delta to cancel our flight and issue a refund. (Granted we are first-time flyers.) Numerous rude and arrogant customer service reps and even the supervisor at the local airport here told us that they could not and will not issue a refund. They were so nasty and rude, and I was so positive that I could get the money back after disputing this with my bank since my card has Purchase Security and is enrolled in the Extended Purchase Program. Anyhow I contacted Wachovia and was told to mail off receipts, statements, and such. They denied the disputes telling me that they can't honor it because they can't override Delta's Cancellation Policy. So why do they waste our time(2 weeks on a resolution.)? But if this was a pop and mom store dispute for service not rendered they would probably honor that dispute. A Cancellation policy means nothing if I feel duped?

I get many chargebacks levied against my business and my policies state no refunds after purchase. Does this stop the customer from filing a chargeback? No

I've gotten many chargebacks approved and refunded against companies that have the same no refund policy and that doesnt stop Visa or the issuing bank from refunding me.

Or is it just because they are DELTA AIRLINES AND THEY SO NO REFUNDS.

(I spoke to the person that denied my dispute and she referenced her personal situation in trying to get a past refund from a airline and she was unsuccessful. Her opinion was biased on the denial.)

Answer 1

If the terms of the purchase were that the tickets were nonrefundable, and you bought them with your credit card, you agreed to the terms when you clicked the "Purchase" button. That's a contract. The credit card companies will help you if you have been defrauded, but they will not take your side if you just want to break your contract.

The best you can do now is call Delta back and ask them to "bank" the value of your tickets, so you can use that value (less whatever the change fee is) up to one year in the future. It will probably cost you $200 in change fees but it's still better than getting back nothing at all.

Airlines are generally jerks about this kind of thing. Unfortunately they're almost all this way - it's the same all over. I'm sorry the news isn't better, but I imagine that next time you buy a ticket online you will look more closely at the fine print before you click OK.

EDIT: You added this: "I get many chargebacks levied against my business and my policies state no refunds after purchase. Does this stop the customer from filing a chargeback? No." I see what you're driving at, but there are a couple of key differences.

1) When you clicked OK to purchase the tickets, you were presented with a screen containing a warning that the purchase was subject to the fare rules, which include the cancellation rules. (I know this because I have bought literally hundreds of airline tickets from Delta's website.) That OK click was the legal equivalent of a written contract. If you go to the credit card company with a dispute, you have to show them that the other party did not live up to their side of the bargain. But once you have made a contract, either in writing or by clicking OK, Delta can easily prove that they DID live up to the bargain; those seats were available to you under the terms of the contract, and a refund was NOT available to you, also under the terms of the contract. I'm trying not to be harsh, but you really have no reason to expect the credit card company to take your side when it is you who wants to break the agreement.

2) You don't think you're the only one who has gone to the credit card company to try to get their money back from an airline, do you? People try this all the time, and they always lose, because the airlines have the contracts written up in such a way that this option won't work. If anyone could just have their credit card cancel the charges if they change their travel plans, the airlines would revise their warnings until that was not possible, or raise their fares and eliminate nonrefundable tickets, or (most likely) make an example out of any credit card company that did too much of it by refusing to take that card any more, which leads me to:

3) Yes, Delta is more important to Visa than you are. If you stop taking Visa, so what? But if Delta starts encouraging people to use American Express, that's a big problem for Visa, especially if Delta is running a Visa affinity program (which I think they do).

This boils down to you expecting two wrongs to make a right. You say you have been screwed out of money by your credit card processors unfairly taking the side of the customer in a dispute; now that you're the customer, you want them to take YOUR side unfairly and screw Delta. That's not really fairness; it's just compounding unfairness. Instead of trying to be like your deadbeat customers, you should ask yourself, what can I do to be more like Delta, so that my customers can't make an end-run around paying me?

I'm sorry, I didn't want to be harsh, but an agreement is an agreement. Whether you "feel" duped is beside the point. Next time, if you think your travel plans could change, you might want to spring extra for a refundable fare.

p.s. You should never use a debit card for this kind of transaction, for three reasons: 1) security - never use a debit card for any internet purchase; 2) because the laws governing them are different than those for credit cards (they leave you at the mercy of the bank's policy, as you're discovering); and 3) because it is easier to refuse to pay a bill than to wheedle a bank into returning money that is already gone.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, there is probably nothing that can be done in this situation. The airlines have to put in rules and guidelines in order to run their business and try to stay in business. With all the financial problems a lot of airlines are having, they have had to become more strict with their guidelines and policies. If they would be more leniant with cancellations and changes, too many people would book seats and then cancel once they found a lower rate or something. Then, the airline would be left with the seats and not have a way to sell them. This is the airlines way to make sure once they have sold the seat, they are guarenteed the money. I think this is one of the many disadvantages the internet has caused in the travel industry. Before, the airlines were much more flexible with tickets, but now that it is so easy for people to find better rates and things, they just can't do some of the things they used to do.

As far as doing a chargeback, these are only used in certain situations. For example, if you feel you were involved in a fradulent situation. Maybe a charge was made that you didn't make, or you purchased a product and when it arrived it was nothing like what was described, broken, etc. but the seller refused to replace, exchange or return the item. Then, the credit card company can come in and try to solve the issue and give you your money back if it isn't resolved by the company. But, if the customer just changes their mind and decides they no longer want the product, then the credit card company won't issue a charge back.

It probably also has a little to do with the fact that Delta is a well known company. But there are still guidelines that have to be followed in order to receive a chargeback, they don't just give it for any reason. But it is there for a kind of safety net.

But, unfortunately in this situation I don't think you are going to get your refund. Even travel protection wouldn't cover the reason for the cancellation. You could contact Delta if you are willing to change the flight to a different date or destination, or even change the name on the tickets (maybe you know someone else that may be able to use the tickets). There will be fees involved, but at least you won't lose everything.

Answer 3

Delta Airlines Refund

Answer 4

Delta Refund

Answer 5

You will not get a refund. I fly every week, and I have plenty of open tickets that pretty much have no value.

Answer 6

That's not right

Answer 7

This topic is worth more attention