TAP at it again

[John Sikora]

Just as a point of information, it seems like TAP is in more disarray than normal. I had a flight out of SdC to Lisbon on June 17th which got cancelled. On their website they show prices for flights in May and June of 2022 from SdC to Lisbon but when you try to actually pull up a week, all it says is no flights available. I can't believe they are pulling a connector flight like that but TAP is TAP. And as usually, their refund process is obscure. If you do get cancelled, make sure you use the link in the email to request a refund and NOT use the normal process on the website. The website link does not offer a refund (even if they cancel) - you get a voucher. The email link takes you to a different page which does allow you to request a refund rather than a voucher. But, then again, it's TAP so who knows what I'll get.

 

[naplesdon]

I am not a defender of TAP and your caution is merited but they are truly trying to do their best with a limited number of customer service employees. I was able to transfer a credit from a cancelled trip early in 2020 to a future trip in 2021, then was offered a second year long voucher; I now have a reservation early in 2022. Granted it took a lot of perseverance and phone calls and I did not use their website for my communications.
I know this information is useless if you are sitting in Europe trying to get your trip fixed, but calling them at off hours is the best way to get your problem sorted out.
My biggest fear is they are beginning to cancel short term flights, what is next?

 

[Marbe2]

Moral of the story, skip the cheap TAP tickets. I would rather have to make an extra stop than use TAP. This has been going on for at least 50 years…. (Again) Do yourself a favor and pick a reliable airline!.

 

[FSP]

What you are describing is no different than what is going on with virtually every airline. Try dealing with Air Canada even in a non covid world. What you describe above is a walk in the park compared to that. I flew a lot for work and travel, or did, before covid. I've flown Tap from Oslo to Lisbon and Toronto to Lisbon, probably some of the best flight experience, seats and food of any airline. The plane I was on both times used real dishes, good food, real cutlery and the seats were actually sized for someone other than a short underfed 12 year old. Mind you I've never had to deal with them for a cancellation. I can say there isn't enough character space to list the different airline flights that I have put up with for last minute schedule changes, cancelled flights, maintenance issues, late crews showing up etc etc. It is just the modern world of cheap air travel and now the problems are exacerbated by a dynamic global pandemic that is far from over.

 

[Vacajoe]

My pricey Virgin direct ticket was cancelled and I was given no alternative date. Had to our purchase a last-minute two-stage TAP ticket. Turns out it was not only cheaper, but they had nice pillows and blankets, a delicious dinner with REAL utensils, and a lovely staff that made the COVID process easy.

While my experience may not be indicative of all TAP flights, perhaps neither is yours. In this pandemic time, all airlines are having issues.

 

[jcat]

I have a Star Alliance awards booking with TAP next month. I've postponed it 3 times in the last 18 months due to world events and the TAP customer reps have been great so far.

 

[maryloufrommadison]

I'm a newbie. What is TAP?

 

[ScottPilgrim]

I am not a defender of TAP and your caution is merited but they are truly trying to do their best with a limited number of customer service employees. I was able to transfer a credit from a cancelled trip early in 2020 to a future trip in 2021, then was offered a second year long voucher; I now have a reservation early in 2022. Granted it took a lot of perseverance and phone calls and I did not use their website for my communications.
I know this information is useless if you are sitting in Europe trying to get your trip fixed, but calling them at off hours is the best way to get your problem sorted out.
My biggest fear is they are beginning to cancel short term flights, what is next?

Very helpful tip re refund process.

 

[Wendy Werneth]

I'm a newbie. What is TAP?

It's the airline of Portugal. TAP stands for "Transportes Aéreos Portugueses", but everyone just calls it TAP.

 

[naplesdon]

BTW, telling them what your voucher number is a non-starter, they want to know your original booking number.

 

[Tony Bobcat]

We had no problem getting a full refund on our cancellation of our 2020 flights from Tap Airlines