Consumers Fighting To Get Airline Ticket Refunds
Interesting item in southern Mississippi’s Sun Herald yesterday. In light of the recent turbulence in the airline industry, it seems like hard-luck times for countless consumers who booked flights with airlines that are now defunct and considering bankruptcy. Those airlines include ATA, Frontier, Aloha and Skybus.
The funny thing is, the credit card companies these consumers used to book their flights are supposed to provide protection against such matters. It’s one of the selling points in getting a credit card in the first place. Fraudulent charges and misrepresented or undeliverable products or services typically result in customer refunds — except when the number of customers are astronomical and all at once. It’s a tough situation, but it’s also an opportunity for credit cards to show their true colors.
Chase and Discover are among the companies that provide instant refunds. Cards issued through Wachovia could require up to 120 days for refunds to be issued. The article further states that Visa and Mastercard apparently intend to do the same, and honor debit card purchases as well. That, however, may be a bit more complicated because bank cooperation factors in.
These card companies have deep pockets, to say the least. Undoubtedly, the airline ticket issues will be resolved over time, and it provides an illustration of why credit cards are a good bet for major purchases. Just make sure you pay off the balance at month’s end! If you can’t afford it, don’t charge it!
We’ve heard about balance transfer fees, application fees, late payment fees and overdraft fees. But what about when credit cards pay you for your business? We’re not talking about your garden variety rewards points or cash back for purchases, but serious bonuses merely for signing up! Could a credit card company be so generous? You better believe it, and here’s a list of the ones who are:
