I Finally Got My Refund Notice From SAS Airline After 70 Business Days

I finally got a refund notice from SAS Airline dated on June 19, 2020 stating that I would get my refund in full.  This was after 70 business days and a complaint filed to The Swedish Government Consumer Protection Agency.  EU law says that they must refund me with 14 days of my request if they cancel my flight and that they did.   There is still no money in my account as of June 19, 2020 at around 11 am .  This is not unusual.  I have noticed the last year that payments are slow to reach my bank account.  The refund payment was in my account on the 24th of June, 2020.

I do not believe that I would have received my refund if it was not for my official complaint if not for ARN which is the agency complaints are filed to.   I saw a representative of  The National Board of Consumer Disputes (ARN) on the nightly evening news saying that they had over 3,000 complaints from people who have not received refunds after months of waiting even though the law says it shall be paid out with 14 business days.   

Well, the squeaky wheel does get the grease if ARN even did anything at all is pure speculation on my part.  They have a 6 week processing time per case. 

Note:   My refund payment cleared the bank on 24 June 2020.   I can finally put this to rest.  As far as flying again with SAS Airline,  I cannot say honestly, if I will or not.

Lufthansa Airline Enters The Airline Hall Of Shame Along With SAS Airline

German airline Lufthansa is using images of a rhubarb-farming flight attendant to divert passenger anger away from the refunds scandal. In particular to outstanding refunds to 93% of passengers whose flights have been cancelled.

“Flight attendant Vicky is currently helping her friend, a farmer, by working in her rhubarb field,” the airline says in a tweet. “Working outdoors in the fresh air, gathering the crop, is a great experience that brings you closer to nature,” Vicki gushes, garbed in a headscarf (but no mask).

“Closer to nature”–but far from the refunds issues of the day. According to Business Insider Germany, passenger claims for cancelled flights worth €1.8 billion ($2 billion) are “piling up” with Lufthansa. The airline is “sitting on that money” it says, with no indication of when people will be paid.

German passenger rights’ organization, Flightright, is suing Lufthansa to the tune of millions of euros over the affair. 81% of passengers on Lufthansa subsidiary, Eurowings, are also waiting on refunds a May survey found. The airline is refusing to cough up out of court.

Hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, the German company has clinched a €9 billion ($9.9 billion) EU-national bailout. The rescue deal is allowing Europe’s biggest airline to move forward. Thousands of passengers are hoping for a similar salvation in the form of long-withheld refunds. 

To read the entire story, please click on the link below:

This Is How German Lufthansa Sidesteps Cancelled Flight Refunds For 93% Of Passengers

Note:  9.9 Billion Euros minus 1.8 Billion Euros in refunds owed to clients =  8.1 Euro would be remaining in the Lufthansa bank account if they kept their agreements and followed EU law.  But not keeping their promises to there clients, they have 9.9 billion in taxpayer money with their clients contributed to the bailout.  A double loss in my eyes.  And why hasn't s the EU and Germany put in a stipulation in the bailout that all refund obligations be met.  This tells you whose side your governments are on.