Changing A Ticket

Hi,

Ive got a UC (not flexible) ticket from LHR -> MIA departing on Saturday and set to return on 19th. However unfortunately a close relative who lives in the States has just been diagnosed and we wanted to go and see him before we left. However this would mean changing the dates on the ticket.

I called Virgin and explained and the chap promptly turned around and told me that it would be £11.5k which considering I could buy two new tickets for £10k seems a bit excessive. I have read around online and have seen people have changed their dates for £120 before - I was wondering if someone could advise.

Thanks

[Neil]

I imagine you have a Z fare ticket (the lowest UC fare code paid for with cash), which if you do, then I'm afraid they do not allow any changes/cancellations at any time. So unfortunately there is no way you will be able to change the tickets you already have.

If you have a miles UC ticket, either upgraded from economy or a full miles ticket, then that is a different story and you should be able to change, but that would depend on what availability there was on the new date you wanted to travel, and given how close to the departure date you are, would not be cheap due to all the cheaper advance purchase tickets no longer being available.

As Neil as correct stated the Z class fare in UC is really the date and time you have booked or lose it!!!
One other little gem to be made aware of is that, and I have been told only VS still do this, ready, willing and able to be corrected on this point, if you have a spilt fare, say Z class out and S class on the return the Z class rules trumps the S class fare rules, they do not count on the way back. You have a more expensive PE class that gets demoted.
I didn't beleive what my corp travel agent was telling me last year, I called VS and they confirmed that was the case

[Neil]

As Neil as correct stated the Z class fare in UC is really the date and time you have booked or lose it!!!
One other little gem to be made aware of is that, and I have been told only VS still do this, ready, willing and able to be corrected on this point, if you have a spilt fare, say Z class out and S class on the return the Z class rules trumps the S class fare rules, they do not count on the way back. You have a more expensive PE class that gets demoted.
I didn't beleive what my corp travel agent was telling me last year, I called VS and they confirmed that was the case

Yes, that is correct, on a mixed fare code itinerary the most restrictive fare code applies for the whole trip. This is in the T&C's when booking.

Thanks for advice seems will have to change it to a fully Flex if need be. I must say that Virgin were very helpful - the first person told me it would cost £11k to change, I subsequently called again & explained my situation and was told I could change each ticket to a fully flex for £3k each so may have to go down that route!

Thanks again

Beware doing this - have they been clear in saying that adjusting it to a fully flex ticket would allow you to change the dates without additional costs?

I have heard that change fees still apply based on the class the ticket was originally bought in. For example, upgrading from a Z to a J wouldn't mean you could cancel with a full refund. I might be wrong so others may want to weigh in here.

[Neil]

Beware doing this - have they been clear in saying that adjusting it to a fully flex ticket would allow you to change the dates without additional costs?

I have heard that change fees still apply based on the class the ticket was originally bought in. For example, upgrading from a Z to a J wouldn't mean you could cancel with a full refund. I might be wrong so others may want to weigh in here.

That's correct, but as the OP wants to change their flight date, then if they upgrade to a J class fare then they would be able to do that no problem.

Thanks for clarifying!