Your Turkish Airlines refund doesn’t seem to be getting processed as fast as you expected.
You requested a full refund for flight cancellation, but there has been no response. You may have received a notice explaining the situation or still be awaiting a reply. It’s important to know that refund policies are explicitly defined within the European Union. According to the law, if it’s a Turkish Airlines flight originating from Europe, your refund should be processed within a period of 7 days.
So, what steps can you take if the refund process takes longer than this?
Turkish Airlines Refund Delays: Your Action Plan
In case of a flight cancellation, the airline has a legal obligation to offer a refund.
Within the European Union, if an airline cancels a flight, they are required to offer you a choice between a full refund or an alternative flight. It’s important to note that there are situations where you may be eligible for a refund only, while in other cases, you can also claim compensation for flight cancellation. This law applies to all European airlines.
These refund laws also apply to certain non-European airline flights. If Turkish Airlines cancels your flight departing from Europe, you have the right to receive a Turkish Airlines refund or be offered an alternative flight. In certain situations, you may also be eligible for flight cancellation compensation.
As Turkish Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Turkish Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Step 1: Reach Out to Turkish Airlines
Your Turkish Airlines flight departing from Europe is cancelled.
And your Turkish Airlines refund is not paid to you yet. What are your options?
Communicate with Turkish Airlines’ customer service via their website.
Unless there is a major, unexpected event like a global pandemic, they should respond to you within a week. If you don’t hear back from them after a week, send follow-up messages. Repeat this process after a few days, if necessary, to get their attention.
As Turkish Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Turkish Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Step 2: Utilize Social Media to Contact Turkish Airlines
If your efforts to communicate with Turkish Airlines are unavailing, consider using social media.
If weeks go by and your emails and messages remain unanswered, take to Facebook and Twitter to contact them. Remind them about the obligatory 7-day timeframe. Reference Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Articles 5 and 8.
Step 3: Decline Vouchers
If it’s a flight from Europe, your refund should be reimbursed directly to your bank account.
You’re not required to accept Turkish Airlines vouchers.
If it’s a flight from outside the EU, taking vouchers may be the only option, as flights from third countries are not governed by these EU laws. This is because Turkish Airlines is not an EU airline.
Step 4: Contact the National Enforcement Body (NEB)
Each EU member state possesses this authority.
Contact the NEB of the country your flight departs from. If your flight departs from Germany, liaise with the Nationale Beschwerde- und Durchsetzungsstelle Fluggastrechte. For more details on this, click here.
Although the fourth option is the most effective, it’s also the most time-consuming. Typically, it takes approximately 2 months for the respective NEB to reach a decision. Next, you’ll need to wait for Turkish Airlines to process the payment. To ensure the best results, continue reminding them about your request on Turkish Airlines’ social media pages and through other communication channels.
As Turkish Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Turkish Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Turkish Airlines Refund: When Are You Eligible for a Refund?
Under EU regulations, you’re entitled to a full reimbursement if Turkish Airlines cancels your flight from Europe.
When there’s a cancellation, Turkish Airlines is required to give you a choice between a replacement flight at no additional cost or a full refund of your ticket fare. This is applicable irrespective of the cause of the cancellation, even in extraordinary circumstances or last-minute flight cancellations. The refund owing to cancellation must be issued within a week.
If the airline fails to process these refunds promptly, it goes against EU laws. Passengers may consider taking additional action.
As Turkish Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Turkish Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.
What If You Decide to Cancel the Flight?
Can you get a Turkish Airlines refund if you cancel your flight?
If the cancellation is from your side, the procedure for reimbursement becomes a bit more intricate. Here are some aspects to bear in mind:
- Flexible tickets. If you’ve chosen a flexible ticket, you’re likely eligible for a refund, but always check the airline’s policies to make sure.
- Non-refundable tickets. Your chances of receiving a full refund for non-refundable tickets are slim. However, airlines might agree to refund the taxes incorporated into your ticket fare.
- Travel insurance. If you have travel insurance that includes cancellations, you might be able to get a refund from your insurance provider, based on the reasons for cancellation.
- Cancellation within 24 hours of booking. Certain airlines provide a full refund if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking, given that the reservation was made a minimum of 7 days before the flight’s departure.
- Family emergencies and a serious illness. Unforeseen situations such as illness or a family member’s death might compel you to cancel. In such cases, the airline may offer a refund or a credit for future travel, based on the airline’s policy.
Flight Cancellation Due to Extraordinary Circumstances: Can You Get a Refund?
An unexpected event such as extreme weather conditions, strike by airport employees (not the airline’s own crew strikes), or safety concerns can often result in flight cancellations. In these instances, the airline is usually not deemed liable for the cancellation, consequently, no compensation is offered.
Nonetheless, European Union law (Regulation (EC) No 261/2004) stipulates that passengers must be given a choice — a complete refund or the option of an alternative flight, regardless of the cancellation’s cause. Therefore, even when cancellations are a result of extraordinary circumstances, your right to a refund remains intact.
Please note that Turkish Airlines should process the refund within seven days. If there is a delay in the refund process, feel free to use the step-by-step strategy described above.
As Turkish Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Turkish Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.
What is your experience with Turkish Airlines refunds? Have you ever received a refund from Turkish Airlines? Share your experience in the comments!