Cathay Pacific - Cathay Pacific denied my boarding due to a transit visa issue, then charged me extra fees for a flight I never agreed to, what can I do?
I booked a flight from LAX to Hanoi through Priceline, flying with Cathay Pacific and transiting through Hong Kong. I had a valid visa for Vietnam, but I was denied boarding because my layover in Hong Kong was 12 hours and 25 minutes, just over the 12-hour limit for visa-free transit.
This wasn’t disclosed at the time of booking, and when I asked for help at the airport, Cathay Pacific’s staff couldn’t assist me—they just told me to call their scheduling department.
When I called, they initially quoted me $800 to reschedule to a later flight (11 PM), which I agreed to. After a long hold, I asked if I could take the 10 PM flight instead, and they said it would cost another $700. Frustrated but wanting to get there at the same time as my wife, I agreed.
They put me on hold again, and then told me they couldn’t book it because it was too last-minute. Suddenly, the only option left was a $4,000 ticket, which I declined. Instead, they promised me a rebooking for the next day that would still arrive on Monday, which was essential for my plans. I agreed.
When they finally called back, they had booked me on a flight arriving Tuesday, not Monday—not what I agreed to. And by that time, they had already charged my card.
Now, I’ve lost:
• My original $900 ticket (Priceline)
• The $800 + $700 for rebooking
• A $60 cancellation fee
• They even charged me toll fees for the call
I feel like I was misled, overcharged, and given incorrect information multiple times. Priceline and Cathay Pacific never warned me about the 12-hour transit rule, and Cathay Pacific kept changing the price and booking me on a flight I didn’t agree to.
What are my options to get my money back? Can I dispute the charges? Do I have any legal recourse?
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