Zoom Airlines stopped flying, but it didn’t take long for other companies to come in to save the day, helping stranded passengers and customers with void tickets.
After Ottawa-based Zoom was made to shut down its operations yesterday, thousands of travellers were left stranded and forced to buy new tickets from other airlines.
“We are saddened to hear today’s news about Zoom Airlines, and our hearts go out to the employees impacted by this announcement,” Bob Cumming, executive vice-president guest experience and marketing for WestJet, said in a release. The airline is offering discounts for Zoom passengers affected by the grounding, although it does not fly the same routes as Zoom did.
CheapTicketsCanada.com issued a statement yesterday to reassure its customers who purchased Zoom tickets that they are insured. The website says it’s re-booking all Zoom flights with other carriers and will refund any unused tickets.
Also trying to reach the stranded, AIG Travel Guard is offering free emergency travel assistance to travellers in the U.K. and Canada, even if they are not AIG customers. It will assist Zoom travellers to re-book flights and arrange accommodations from AIG.
It is typical that items purchased on a credit card can be refunded if the retailer goes bankrupt, but American Express, Visa and MasterCard have all released statements assuring Zoom customers that they will get their money back. In a release, MasterCard offered the following advice: “It is important to gather all the information–receipts, copies of tickets, etc. and contact your card issuer as early as possible so your issuer can review your situation on an individual basis.” The company seized the opportunity to showcase its card benefits. “This is a prime example of one of the important purchase protections offered by MasterCard card issuers,” the company stated.
