STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
I BOOKED a ticket with Ryanair for £63. In December I realised I’d not need this ticket, but when I tried to get a refund, I was told Ryanair has no refund department. Is there anything that can be done, or must I wave goodbye to the £63? J. D., by email. A SPOKeSMAn for Ryanair says all tickets are non-refundable, which she claims is stated clearly in the terms and conditions.
She adds that customers rarely ask for a refund as the average flight costs just £35.
You can claim back the air passenger duty as the airline only has to pay this if you fly. This is currently between £13 and £150 depending on the length of the journey and the class you travel.
There is a £17 fee. Ryanair says you must claim within a month of the date of travel.
I ENTERED a competition run by a major brand a few weeks ago. Do the organisers have to tell me who won? D. T., Durham.
COMPeTITIOn organisers must publish a list of winners of major prizes if requested. Information about how to obtain a list should be in the terms and conditions. The only exception is the Premium Bonds draw run by national Savings and Investments.
I’VE read that the Open Banking scheme forces nine banks — HSBC, Barclays, RBS, Santander, Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank, Danske, Lloyds and Nationwide — to release customers’ data to third parties if the customer gives their permission. Do other banks use Open Banking? H. S, Carlisle.
nOT yet. The nine banks you mention were forced to sign up under official watchdog rules. Smaller banks will be encouraged to join the scheme over the next few years.
I CANCELLED my TalkTalk broadband last September and signed up to another provider the following month. Since then I have been bombarded with bills and even contacted by debt collectors. V.C., Southampton.
TAlKTAlK says it needed details about your password in order to cancel the account. The firm claims when it didn’t hear back it provided the service until you switched a month later.
It has apologised, written off the bill and arranged a £40 goodwill payment.