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FlixBus has a Deceptive Refund Policy

On Febuary 25th I purchased 2x round tickets to New York with Flixbus. A total amount of $349.96 CAD

https://global.flixbus.com/

To reduce the price of my ticket I researched departing from different cities. I finally decided that it would be best to leave from Montreal. When I booked the tickets from Montreal to New York and clicked the submit button, the page refreshed and I had to re-enter the information requested. On the second submission at 15:43 pm, I noticed that the departure was from Plattsburg. I canceled the purchase at 15:44 pm. At 15:47 I proceeded to repurchase the correct tickets leaving from Montreal. When I checked my Email to validate the confirmations of purchase and cancellation I learned that the cancellation was returned only as a voucher valued at the purchase price. To attempt to get a refund, I contacted them via their website because they do not have a contact number. They told me that their terms and conditions (TOC) do not allow them to refund me the money. I tried to explain that the cancellation was done moments after the realization that is was departing from the wrong city. They just repeated that their TOC does not allow them to refund the money and that all refund were paid in vouchers. The service I received I believe fits the definition of deceptive practice. The terms and conditions were offered as a link before purchasing. However, the TOC does not list the requirements for a cash refund. The TOC is the type that hides pertinent information a wormhole of multiple links. The TOC does not explain what happens if there is a balance left on the voucher. The TOC does not explain what happens to the refund if the company gets purchased by another company or if it files for bankruptcy. The value of the voucher cannot be guaranteed to take me the same distance in a year’s time. I am not the only person who was deceived by the TOC,

I highly suggest to submit an official complaint with your consumer protection agency or with the FTC if you live in the states.

Posted by
11514 posts

allesiob1975, first, I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you as issues like this can be very frustrating.

But I do wonder why someone would submit an official complaint if we have no complaint. I've used FlixBus before and have no problems with them and would definitely use them again. Obviously if you have a problem, then you should file your own complaint but I'm not sure what is resolved by posting here.

Posted by
25736 posts

You booked from the wrong city. You noticed it quickly and you got a voucher for the cost ... which I assume you used when you corrected your booking?

What am i failing to understand?

From https://global.flixbus.com/service/change-cancel-a-booking/cancellation-policy:

Cancellation Policy
Change of plans? No problem! With Flix, you can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and get a full or partial refund in the form of a voucher.

The table below shows how much you will be refunded. The amount depends on how far in advance you cancel your ticket. For example, if you cancel your ticket 2 days and 3 hours before departure, you will get a 40% refund. The calculation is based on the exact time of departure (hour, minute, second).

Time before departure Refund (% of ticket price)
Less than 2 days 20%
Between 2 and 6 days 40%
Between 7 and 29 days 70%
30 days or more 100%
Please note that for extras like seat reservations and additional luggage, the refund is 100%. Booking fees and service fees are non-refundable.

Please find more information in our terms & conditions. (FlixBus)
Please find more information in our terms & conditions. (FlixTrain)

Posted by
3093 posts

Ditto. (typed before Mr. E's post) What would MY complaint be? Have used Flix many times abroad, no problem. Used Megabus here years back and there were always issues but they were contacted and resolved. How did you pay? If credit card then contact your bank.Does Canada have a consumer complaint/help office?

I know we ought not jump on a new poster...

Posted by
1258 posts

OP, while I think we all resonate with some aspects of your situation,

1) You triggered this by making the initial purchase in error. Most assuredly an
honest mistake, but you did start this whole thing.

2) It's not 100% clear from your description whether you purchased new tickets
before or after you discovered the refund policy.

If you used the voucher for the new tickets, then at worst you are out the cost
difference between the new and old tickets (assuming the new tickets cost less).
Chalk that up to learning.

If you bought the new tickets before checking how the refund was provided, then
that is on you. I have gotten refunds from Flixbus before and I am pretty sure they
disclose at the time of cancellation that the refund is provided in the form of a voucher.
I think you would have noticed in the cancellation process that the refund was a voucher
if you were paying attention.

3) Your concerns about company purchase or bankruptcy are mostly irrelevant.

I agree that it would be nice if they refunded in cash, but considering the level of service
they provide for the nominal cost, I can live with it. As an aside, I have never paid anything
close to $175 CN for a ticket on Flixbus. Did you purchase very close to your date of travel?
If so, then your last-minute timing probably contributed to the amount of the fare which has
you upset.

Posted by
15986 posts

I've not taken FlixBus, though its stop in Vienna is at Wien Westbahnhof which is where I stay usually.

Re: this matter I would drop it , not worth bothering over.

Posted by
4584 posts

Just another revenge post without any additional value for other travelers.

Posted by
8 posts

Thank you for the response Mardee

I did file a complaint multiple times. they give a standard boiler plate response "we can't do anything, because... terms and conditions". the actual humans are more robotic than the AI layer you have to get through. they don't want to resolve the problem

keep reading because there is loads of evidence of people having gone through the same problem.

Posted by
8 posts

Mr É 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇭🇺

thank you for that. the repurchase of the ticket impulsively reactional. I corrected the purchase before correcting the problem.
I did read both of those parts of the refund policy only after I contacted the company to attempt to get a refund.

funny how that refund break down is not on the same page as the terms and conditions and you need to tunnel down some links to find it. none the less even with that stuff written down they didn't offer a 70% cash refund. the just said "...terms and conditions!!!"

they are not a solutions based company.
their margins must be really thin.

Posted by
8 posts

Larry

I payed with credit card.
I called the bank and they told me they can't cancel a purchase.
I did file a complaint with the quebec consumer protections office, also with the new york state consumer protections office, and the FTC.

Posted by
8 posts

shoeflyer

Ooooo, oooo, is this a flame war? I heard about these from my grandpa.

1.) You're right I shouldn't have been in that part of town with a skirt that was that short.
2.) The Chicago school system is in shambles, huh?

listen they have these big buildings called libraries, in them they have lots of books. you can rent them out for free... for you I suggest "Reading is Fundamental". You should be able to gain a lot of knowledge from that.

"I proceeded to repurchase the correct tickets leaving from Montreal. When I checked my Email to validate the confirmations of purchase and cancellation I learned that the cancellation was returned only as a voucher valued at the purchase price."

you know you are righ, I should added to more sentences two make that clearer.

3.) "it's irrelevant"? I want my money back. The point is that they can't guarantee anything in a year time, so even if I did accept that voucher it could be completely worthless in 12 months.

"I have never paid anything close to $175 CN for a ticket on Flixbus." Again blaming the victim. You're right I should planned better to get my money taken from me.

boy, that was helpful.

Posted by
8 posts

Fred

you're right, I shouldn't make a big deal about $350. It's just walking around money nowadays. it's what you spend on a croissant and coffee in most major cities.

Posted by
8 posts

Nigel

Ahem!

it's no they "don't".

but I would want to correct someone from the place they invented the language.

Posted by
8 posts

Mark

"Just another revenge post without any additional value for other travelers."

Your brand loyalty is admirable. The bus I did end up taking Broke down just after plattsburg. the timing belt popper off the engine. The bus driver was a very able guy, he had a lot of experience. he came back on the bus, alerted us that it was a very easy fix. but he needed the tool. when he opened the tool box that was on the bus, it was empty... the police was called, emt came with their tools. the whole thing made us 90 min late. so... I could complain about the service and the safety but I decided to complain about the fact that they refuse to pay me back or treatment like a human being and not just a transaction because of a website/Browser technical issue.

also, no additional value? knowing that the company does not work with human beings and are impossible to get on the phone is valuable. but I guess I'm the only one complaining about thi..

...oh wait what's this?

https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/www-flixbus-com/insights/refund
https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/flixbus.com
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/flixbus.fr
https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/dallas/profile/transportation/flixbus-inc-1216-1077592/complaints
h https://www.sikayetvar.com/en/flixbus-us/flixbus-gave-me-a-useless-voucher-instead-of-refunding-my-canceled-international-ticket
https://www.reddit.com/r/FlixBus/comments/1dlc2pi
https://www.reddit.com/r/FlixBus/comments/1j81pk0
https://www.reddit.com/r/FlixBus/co commentaires/1j81pk0
https://www.reddit.com/r/FlixBus/comments/1h4bmya
https://www.reddit.com/r/germany/comments/1fpz646/flixbus_not_honoring_refund_policy/
https://www.reddit.com/r/FlixBus/comments/1kstlke/no_monetary_refund_for_personal_tickets_legal/
https://www.ed dit.com/r/FlixBus/comments/1lg5b5r/howtogetarefundfromflixbus/
https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/www-flixbus-com/insights/refund
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187309-d12232500-r623955606-FlixBus-Munich_Upper_Bavaria_Bavaria.html