On 6 March 2024 I booked through the online travel agency Trip.com (booking number: 30904644822) a direct flight Madrid - Beijing for 23 August 2024 with departure at 13:10h and arrival at 6:00h (local time) and a direct flight Beijing - Madrid for 2 September 2024 with departure at 1:55h and arrival at 8:00h (local time), paying a total amount of 937. 01 (EUR 521.45 per ticket and EUR 415.56 for taxes and fees) by credit card. Both flights were with Air China. Subsequently, on 12 July 2024, I was notified by e-mail that the time of the Madrid - Beijing flight on 23 August had been changed and I was asked to accept the change, which I did not do. The new arrival time would be 6:30 am (local time). This change is a great disadvantage for me, as this delay makes the trip pointless, as the reason was to see a person who, due to the flight delay, I will no longer be able to see as I cannot wait for the new arrival time of my flight. Therefore, I will not go on the trip. According to the Trip.com travel agency's policies, cancellations will be made in accordance with the policies of the airlines operating the flights: "Change and cancellation fees apply in accordance with the policies listed on the airline's website". The policies of the airline operating the flight (Air China) state that if Air China makes changes to the flight (as was the case, because I did not want to change the flight time, but the airline did) that prevent me from taking the trip, I am entitled to a full refund: "If you have to change your travel plan because of Air China, you can apply for a refund and you will get an involuntary refund, free of charge. You can check the policies here: https://www.airchina.com.cn/en/info_and_services/passengers_info.shtml#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20to%20change,accordance%20with%20our%20applicable%20regulations . I have requested cancellation and full refund of the price paid for the tickets, as due to changes by the company I will not be able to travel, and according to the company's policies, I am entitled to a full refund. The request should be made to Trip.com because it is through them that I made the purchase. I have tried to do this in a friendly manner by contacting Trip.com, but my request for cancellation and refund has been denied, telling me that they could refund me a total of 36.16 euros, thus violating my rights as a consumer to a full refund. After several attempts, I am forced to use this channel to assert my rights as a consumer.
In view of the situation described above and in view of the fact that I meet the requirements for this as the company has made a change that prevents me from making the trip, I demand the cancellation and full reimbursement of the 937.01 euros for the airline tickets.