We (2) were flying back from Ukraine to the USA in August 2012, going through Istanbul, Turkey. When we arrived in Turkey, we were told that our flight was cancelled to New York, and it was due to plane mechanical issues. Actually, 2 days in a row of flights were cancelled, so they couldn't reroute us any other way.
In summary, we were told United was putting us up at a hotel for the night, and that hotel and food charges would be paid for by United. This was noon, and our flight would not leave until the next morning.
We were also told a Visa was required to leave the terminal and to go to the hotel. A United Airlines counter rep told us we would each be reimbursed the $20.00 Visa fee, as we had to pay cash, and United doesn't make cash payments and it couldn't be billed to them. We complied and paid the $20.00 each. We were also told they didn't have forms for reimbursement, so just go to the United website and file the claim.
A stamp in our Passport showing the Visa, which also showed the $20.00 amount paid was what we were told by Customs there was our receipt.
We filed the claim, and have now been told the following:
"Your email requesting reimbursement for the two Visa's you had to obtain
on your recent travel with us on August 8, 2012 from Istanbul to Newark
is appreciated; unfortunately, we are unable to honor your request. We
recognize that your stated you were advised that you would receive a
full refund; however, there is no documentation supporting your claim.
Your understanding is appreciated."
I replied back seeking what further documentation do they need? Obviously a the United counter rep didn't sign any letter, but they were telling everyone this and the process.
I received another reply back today that stated:
"Thank you for contacting us again. I'm sorry you're dissatisfied with
our response.
You asked us to reexamine your request, and we have done so. All things
considered, we do support our earlier decision. We are unable to
reimburse $40 for the two Visa's you had to obtain on your recent travel
with us on August 8, 2012.
Please know that it is our sincere desire to move forward in our
business relationship with you, and we realize that you have a choice of
carriers. As we have nothing else to add, we will consider this matter
closed and will no longer correspond regarding this issue, but invite
you to contact us again if we may address a different travel-related
issue"
They are sorry I am dissatisfied, and they have reexamined my request, but can't reimburse, and now consider the matter closed. I don't consider it closed.
Anyone have experience with getting reimbursed for a Visa when a flight was cancelled due to airline issues?
I am very disappointed in how United is handling this.
(BTW, one passenger was business class while the other was economy class).
In summary, we were told United was putting us up at a hotel for the night, and that hotel and food charges would be paid for by United. This was noon, and our flight would not leave until the next morning.
We were also told a Visa was required to leave the terminal and to go to the hotel. A United Airlines counter rep told us we would each be reimbursed the $20.00 Visa fee, as we had to pay cash, and United doesn't make cash payments and it couldn't be billed to them. We complied and paid the $20.00 each. We were also told they didn't have forms for reimbursement, so just go to the United website and file the claim.
A stamp in our Passport showing the Visa, which also showed the $20.00 amount paid was what we were told by Customs there was our receipt.
We filed the claim, and have now been told the following:
"Your email requesting reimbursement for the two Visa's you had to obtain
on your recent travel with us on August 8, 2012 from Istanbul to Newark
is appreciated; unfortunately, we are unable to honor your request. We
recognize that your stated you were advised that you would receive a
full refund; however, there is no documentation supporting your claim.
Your understanding is appreciated."
I replied back seeking what further documentation do they need? Obviously a the United counter rep didn't sign any letter, but they were telling everyone this and the process.
I received another reply back today that stated:
"Thank you for contacting us again. I'm sorry you're dissatisfied with
our response.
You asked us to reexamine your request, and we have done so. All things
considered, we do support our earlier decision. We are unable to
reimburse $40 for the two Visa's you had to obtain on your recent travel
with us on August 8, 2012.
Please know that it is our sincere desire to move forward in our
business relationship with you, and we realize that you have a choice of
carriers. As we have nothing else to add, we will consider this matter
closed and will no longer correspond regarding this issue, but invite
you to contact us again if we may address a different travel-related
issue"
They are sorry I am dissatisfied, and they have reexamined my request, but can't reimburse, and now consider the matter closed. I don't consider it closed.
Anyone have experience with getting reimbursed for a Visa when a flight was cancelled due to airline issues?
I am very disappointed in how United is handling this.
(BTW, one passenger was business class while the other was economy class).