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24 hours to cancel?

PostPosted: 26 Jan 2010, 10:24
by carter
If I book a non refundable flight online do you have 24hours to change your mind and cancel??

Basically Ms Carter currently in the air somewhere and looking at the BA sale want to treat her. However she is keeper of the diary, so afraid to book and find we cant make the dates but also concerned the trip am planning sells out on dates I would like...

So thinking if book something now and not suitable can reverse in next 24hours??



Edit by mod to move to BA forum.......Nick

PostPosted: 26 Jan 2010, 10:38
by Neil
No you don't, a non refundable flight is just that, non refundable.

PostPosted: 26 Jan 2010, 10:41
by Darren Wheeler
If you book a Z fare, then it's not changeable or refundable (apart from taxes) if you cancel. Hence why a Z is a lot cheaper than a D or a J which is flexible. There is no 24-hour cancellation window and Distance Selling Regulations don't apply to airline tickets.

PostPosted: 26 Jan 2010, 11:07
by carter
After 20min on hold with BA got to speak to a human being.

If book on the phone you have a 24hour cooling off period where you can cancel without charge. If book online you are commited to your booking, as you say its non refundable

PostPosted: 26 Jan 2010, 12:14
by Decker
My understanding was that even if booked on line you have 24 hours but I could be wrong asd I've only ever used this when booking by phone with VS.

PostPosted: 26 Jan 2010, 12:28
by Neil
quote:Originally posted by Decker
My understanding was that even if booked on line you have 24 hours but I could be wrong asd I've only ever used this when booking by phone with VS.


So is that the case irrespective of what fare code you are booked in then? Didn't realise that!

PostPosted: 26 Jan 2010, 12:45
by mitchja
I think the 24 hour thing with VS was just a loop-hole as VS used to issue e-tickets manually so you had the time between booking and been issued your e-ticket.

Now that VS e-tickets are issued automatically (almost instantly now too) when you book online, the grace period no longer exists.

I believe ATOL are trying to get an official cooling off period put in place for online bookings, but the airlines are not having any of it.

Regards

PostPosted: 26 Jan 2010, 23:49
by MarkedMan
Some do have a full 24hr cooling off system, like UA. There's a longish, boring story about why they do it, but it is not unheard of.