Picture: Colin Dacre
A Kelowna senior is battling to get refunded for a getaway deal that ended up remaining cancelled owing to previous month’s winter storm.
A Kelowna senior is exasperated soon after staying unable to get hold of a $12,000 refund from WestJet for a holiday deal derailed by last month’s wintertime temperature.
Elisabeth Peltenburg, her partner, daughter and son-in-regulation pooled their cash to acquire in August 2022 a trip to Orlando, Fl., bringing along her 4 grandchildren.
The package deal like flights and accommodations, purchased straight from WestJet Vacations, was supposed to rejoice Peltenburg’s 83rd birthday and the marriage of her daughter and son in legislation.
The pair had gotten married about a week prior to booking the journey and applied their wedding day gift income to pay for their portion. The full price for the eight travellers and lodge home arrived to just more than $12,000.
The immediate flight was scheduled to depart Vancouver Global Airport on Dec. 24, 2022, but was canceled because of to a winter storm that introduced Canada’s aviation sector to its knees.
Right after months of preparing and anticipation—purchasing all the things from vacation insurance to DisneyWorld tickets—Peltenburg suggests they were being exceptionally unhappy when their outgoing flight was canceled.
“There are no text,” she said.
Peltenburg suggests WestJet made available to rebook them on a flight in Dec. 29, which did not do the job for them due to the fact her daughter experienced to be back again at perform as a trainer when university resumed on Jan. 3. The first vacation had a return day of Dec. 31.
Considering that then, Peltenburg says they have been not able to be reimbursed for the undelivered holiday vacation package.
Peltenburg mentioned her daughter expended 5.5 hrs on hold with WestJet, and when she was capable to speak with an agent, she was told to phone the exact same amount that she was on keep for.
Peltenburg went to the WestJet desk at the Kelowna airport, wherever workers were being unable to assistance and inspired her to call the shopper assistance line. Peltenburg went as much as mailing her criticism and ask for in composing to WestJet’s headquarters in Calgary, but has been given no response.
Canadian regulations require airlines to give a refund in just 30 times for flights that can not be rebooked in just 48 several hours of the primary departure.
Castanet requested WestJet media relations about the situation on Friday and was advised by a spokesperson the file would be “escalated” for overview. As of Monday afternoon, Peltenburg states she has listened to practically nothing from the airline.
Peltenburg suggests her daughter is in the procedure of boasting a chargeback by means of her credit score card for the flights.
“WestJet only wants to discuss about the flight,” explained Gerardus Mass, Peltenburg’s husband. “And not none by any means about the relaxation of the deal.”
The pair furnished an bill to Castanet displaying the package was completely acquired by way of WestJet Holidays, with the airline’s head business detailed as the company place.
Peltenburg claims the condition has been significantly difficult on her daughter.
“Just devastating,” she said “She has cried… both of those of them (daughter and lover) are in teaching, and they get the job done so challenging. And this is tons of revenue, just taken away from them.”
