A small problem to solve

Hi all,

Just back from Las Vegas but there was a niggle when I was flying out two weeks ago. I was wondering if fellow v-flyers could advise on the best way to sort it out.

Since I'm in Belfast, I find it best to call Virgin reservations and book the flight directly. They can book the connecting BHD-LGW leg and set it up so that it's a single reservation with the bags checked all the way through. This is important as the Flybe flight occasionally gets delayed and I much prefer the peace of mind. I made this clear to the booking agent, and when confirming the booking at the end he repeated back to me that the flights were booked all the way through as a single booking.

When I got to the airport, the Flybe rep said that the flight had not been "linked" correctly and therefore I had to pay the baggage charge of £40. It was also a bit stressy; fortunately the flight was on time but there was a rush to ensure I got through Gatwick on time. Virgin were calling out Vegas flyers separately at that point.

Anyway, where/who should I call to sort this out ? I don't want to rant at them or anything, mistakes happen and there were no other problems with the flights. But I'd like my baggage charge back.

As Virgin booked the flight your feedback should be directed to them. As every flight booking has the bookers IATA and Name in the reservation, a shame that FlyBe weren't a bit more switched on. I can't think of many reasons Virgin Holidays would book a FlyBe flight!

As Virgin booked the flight your feedback should be directed to them. As every flight booking has the bookers IATA and Name in the reservation, a shame that FlyBe weren't a bit more switched on. I can't think of many reasons Virgin Holidays would book a FlyBe flight!

Perhaps because there aren't many alternatives for a BHD/LGW connection, and they want the business? Personally I'd avoid like the plague and go BA or EI to LHR (and schlep across town with my own bags!), or even BFS to LGW on the 'orange one' if they can go on the same PNR...

I did not book through Virgin Holidays, but VA's own reservations desk. FlyBe were nothing to do with the reservation. I told them I had taken care to book a connected ticket, but their checkin people were emphatic that the ticket was not set up correctly.

[honey lamb]

I'd get on to both VS and Flybe to see what they each have to say. It seems to me that Flybe are at fault but maybe VS have only a partial interline with Flybe - although it is hard to see what went wrong given that VS made the booking.

honey lamb, thank you. what's an interline ? I know nothing about airline booking systems.

BTW I realized that I skipped an important detail. Damn jetlag.

When I arrived and checked-in in Gatwick, I went to the Virgin reservations inquiries desk and they confirmed the problem. They said it should not happen on the return journey - and it didn't (no charge). It's not clear whether they fixed it there, or if the return leg was correct in the first place.

[honey lamb]

honey lamb, thank you. what's an interline ? I know nothing about airline booking systems.

Interlining is an agreement between airlines to accept transfer baggage from one flight to another without the passenger having to claim and re-check the bags. Generally it applies only when the flights are on the same ticket. For example I usually buy a separate ticket for my Aer Lingus flight to LHR to connect with VS and I have to claim and recheck. If however I book the Aer Lingus flight onto the same ticket (at a significantly higher price) then they will transfer the bags for me.

As Virgin booked the flight your feedback should be directed to them. As every flight booking has the bookers IATA and Name in the reservation, a shame that FlyBe weren't a bit more switched on. I can't think of many reasons Virgin Holidays would book a FlyBe flight!

Perhaps because there aren't many alternatives for a BHD/LGW connection, and they want the business? Personally I'd avoid like the plague and go BA or EI to LHR (and schlep across town with my own bags!), or even BFS to LGW on the 'orange one' if they can go on the same PNR...

I think we are agreeing?
FlyBe see a pax arriving, querying the baggage charge and insist that pax pays; despite that sector having been booked by Virgin Atlantic. So you would have thought a switched on agent would have put two and two together.

I don't think it was a case of the agent being not being switched on. (edit) when I arrived and showed me ID and locator she tapped away at the computer and then called her supervisor to check the locator because it looked like it was supposed to be linked but was not.

She then said that the flight wasn't linked so I'd have to collect my bags and re-check them. I explained that the two flights were supposed to be one booking with the bags checked through. They said there was nothing they can do as the booking had not been set up correctly.

Anyway, I'll give Virgin a call and report back here. I'm sure it'll be cleared up.

Problem seems to be solved. Called Virgin and explained what happened last week; got an email back today - they reckon Flybe screwed up, but they're going to refund it back to me and fight with Flybe over it. Result!

+1 to Virgin.