Tokyo ticket holders may get only partial refunds

And they may have a long wait to get any refunds at all.

The question of refunds came into play a week ago when local organisers and the Japanese government decided to bar most fans from abroad because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

There are dozens of Authorised Tickets Resellers. They are typically appointed by national Olympic committees and are allowed to charge a 20 percent handling fee on tickets.

For US$2,000 worth of tickets, for instance, the reseller can charge US$2,400.

CoSport, the ATR for the United States and other territories and countries, said in a letter over the weekend to ticket holders that it would not refund the handling fee.

It said it would refund the face value of the ticket and the shipping fees.

The letter, signed by CoSport president Robert F. Long, said: “CoSport and other Olympic entities encouraged the Japanese government and organisers to refund all cost incurred by international spectators.”

Tokyo organisers have said they would refund the face value of the tickets, but are not responsible for other added charges.

They have said they will not cover the extra fees imposed by ATRs, or cancellation fees for hotels or flights.

The New Jersey-based CoSport added that it would not receive refunds from the organisers until “the third quarter of this year” and could not start paying refunds until then.

It has also asked purchasers to apply for refunds almost immediately.

It set a deadline of April 9 to submit the required document.

“Failure to meet this deadline will jeopardise your refund,” the letter said. “We realize this is a quick turnaround, however, it is based on the deadline we must meet to apply for a refund on your behalf.”

No information about tickets has been forthcoming from organisers of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which open in just 10 months — Feb. 4, 2022.

It is possible that fans from abroad will also be banned from these games. (AP)