Hey, I booked a flight ticket from Perth to Tokyo in Malaysia Airlines. Within 12 hours, I came to know my wife cannot get tourist visa for Japan from Australia.
I called Malaysia Airlines within 12 hours and asked them if they can cancel without any charges as its within the 24 hour cooling off period. They told me cooling off period doesn't apply for Malaysia Airlines.
Is that true ? Aren't we protected under Australian Consumer Law and aren't we entitled to cooling off period ?
the 24 hour cooling off period
is there such a thing?
so only telemarketing or door-to-door sales then.
Yes, the law works. I hardly get any airlines knocking on my door to sell overseas flights.
@Baysew: At my place, they fly overhead and try to tempt me with their steelbird ways. So far I have resisted
Unless you've bought your airline tickets through a door to door sales person there is no cooling off period.
OP, where is your wife from and why can't she get a visa?
My guess is North Korea.
From Wiki there's a fairly short list of countries for which Japan has more strict Visa grant requirements.
Never heard of a "24 hour cooling off period" when purchasing airline tickets online?
That's what OP is asking…..
Ocker is saying they haven't heard of such a thing. The "?" is slightly extraneous/for-effect I think.
A question mark is used to indicate the end of a question (?).
@Numpty21: In colloquial usage, it can also denote (albeit grammatically incorrectly) a vaguely questioning tone, without intending the entire sentence to actually be a question.
The comment makes more sense this way too, since the structure doesn't fit that of a question either.
@HighAndDry: @HighAndDry A question mark can also be used in brackets to show that the writer is unconvinced by a statement.
Without the brackets it's simply a question.
@Numpty21: It's a comment on an online forum man, you can't expect strict adherence to basically any grammatical rule or convention.
@HighAndDry: @HighAndDry you're right i'm expecting too much. The correct use of a question mark is a complex one.
you're right i'm expecting too much. The correct use of a question mark is a complex one.
You're grammar could use some help too.
@Baysew: Oh definitely. Not saying the use of the question mark here was correct (it's certainly not) just that the comment still makes sense in its intended meaning (imo).
PS: Though I could be wrong - the question mark may have been used correctly here, rendering the comment itself actually nonsensical…
Cooling off periods generally only apply to unsolicited contracts (and a few other select circumstances). Buying airline tickets online isn't one of those.
When you buy plane tickets, they have Terms and Conditions for each type of ticket. If you're not sure about traveling, you can always pay more for the ticket with flexible conditions. Buying the cheapest ticket doesn't entitle you to a refund if you can't travel.
I have heard in europe some airlines do have that 24 hr cooling off period where you can get a full refund for the ticket within 24hrs. Lufthansa had it i think. But i am not sure if that depends on what class of ticket but dont think its hard fast rule in Australia though…
I'm sure if you pay for more expensive tickets, some will come with cooling-off periods (just like they might come with free change-of-flights, etc).
American airlines all have it.
Aren't we protected under Australian Consumer Law and aren't we entitled to cooling off period ?
What makes you think the ACL gives you any cooling off period under these circumstances?
(Not limited to OP: This is a good example of the kind of entitlement mentality I dislike - there is literally no moral or ethical principal (and certainly not a legal one) that says any seller should give a cooling-off period and that your decisions as an individual should not be final.)
It's a lesson you should learn as a kid playing draughts. Make a move, but once you take your finger off the piece, there is no change of mind.
There's no cooling off periods for flights booked in Australia, generally.
Some exemptions:
Australian Consumer Law won't help in this regard as Malaysia Airlines haven't done anything wrong and the rules for each fare are clearly explained, so you'll probably be bound to them.
If it's an MH Economy Promo fare, then it's $150 + fare difference to change, and non-refundable at all.
MH Economy Smart is free for changes + fare difference and $200 fee to refund.
"my wife cannot get tourist visa for Japan from Australia"
That's interesting. I've got visas for lots of countries in 'third' countries before. Seems odd that the Japanese embassy/consulate won't issue a visa's for your wife's passport. Must be one of "those" countries.
Send wife to 'that country'. Fly to Japan, catch ferry, swim across river. Re-unite. Happyness!
Within 12 hours, I came to know my wife cannot get tourist visa for Japan from Australia.
Lol why didn't you get the VISA first? This is entirely your fault.
I think the OP should be investigating a cooling off period on the Wife.
Sounds messy
What's her passport?