COVID-19 pandemic forces suspension of AFTA Chargeback Scheme.
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents has this morning confirmed that the AFTA Chargeback Scheme (ACS) will be suspended for new bookings from 01 May 2020.
“ACS will be placed into hibernation, with a claims process being implemented and introduced over the coming months as necessary,” according to a formal statement.
All ATAS accredited agents who opted into the scheme and who have made eligible transactions via eligible credit cards until 30 April will continue to have protection intact for those transactions – including sales on Virgin Australia.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing lack of forward sales, ACS will not be in a position to renew participation for the foreseeable future, AFTA added, with no new applications or renewals available.
ACS acknowledged the services of Katrina Barry and Kevin Forder, who had served as directors and have resigned. The ACS Board will remain in place during hibernation, with AFTA CEO Jayson Westbury, Charlie Gow-Gates and Mike Thompson remaining as directors.
“COVID-19 has brought with it some dark times for the travel industry, and all of us involved in the formation of the scheme and the cover that has been in place for the past two years are disappointed that these decisions and actions are required at this time,” Westbury said.
“The good thing is that sales until 30 April will carry protection and I hope that when we come out of this pandemic, we will be able to bring the scheme out of hibernation to support AFTA members in the future,” he added.
AFTA has also announced a significant breakthrough in terms of credit card chargeback discussions with the Reserve Bank of Australia – more details in today’s issue of Travel Daily.