The fact is the practice is completely legal - but unfair. The only way it can be stopped is if the government decides to make these 'punitive' refund charges illegal - but so far that isn't the case and I doubt whether it ever will be. . .. .The only thing you can do is name and shame the airlines carrying out the practice and may be getting a consumner group on board. Fighting the airline is a waste of time as they are completely within the law.