Changing a Z-Fare

So before I start calling Virgin I would like to have enough information so I can make sure I make the right decision. I DO know that changing a Z-Fare is usually not allowed (?) but was wondering if there are any possibilities for me not having to cancel the whole flight and buy a new one.

So the thing is I am travelling LHR-LAX January 2 and returning February (lax too). This would work out perfect to see my favourite college football team in the National Championship game play on January 6. However those *$&*(%"+£ (for the insiders: Oregon Ducks) lost their one game they had to win to be in it so they will now probably play the Rose Bowl which is... On January 1 ) n( I didn't thought that would happen so would be 1 day late now..

So therefore the question: What are my options! I have 150k+ miles, Gold, and happily to pay a amount to change a flight aslong as it's reasonable ofcourse. I could book a NEW flight with miles (100.000)+555 tax (there is availability for December 29 or so which i would take then) so that's ofcourse an option but if there's any way I could make this work cheaper/better I would love to..

Thanks! y)

[Neil]

Really, as it seems you know, a Z fare is not changeable at all, even for a fee. If VS decide to stick by the rules, which is most likely, them you have no options but take cancel and claim your taxes back and rebook, which obviously won't be cheap, but at least you have the miles option which helps a little.

You can of course, ask, beg, plead and see if they are willing to help you, but I personally think it unlikely.

There really aren't any other options available to you unfortunately.

Neil

Hi there,

Unfortunately you would have to pay to change your flight to a more flexible fare for Jan 02nd which can be very expensive especially if you got the S during the recent sale, then change the date of departure to the one required to see the mighty Ducks.

Doing a dummy booking for a flexible UC fare to LAX on Jan 02nd and returning Feb 03rd for £5392.65

Depending on how much you originally paid for the Z's it may be cheaper to just get the reward flight than change your original booking are the Oregon Ducks worth that?

Thank you very much Hull & Neil! Much appreciated info!

[Neil]

Hi there,

Unfortunately you would have to pay to change your flight to a more flexible fare for Jan 02nd which can be very expensive especially if you got the S during the recent sale, then change the date of departure to the one required to see the mighty Ducks.

Doing a dummy booking for a flexible UC fare to LAX on Jan 02nd and returning Feb 03rd for £5392.65

Depending on how much you originally paid for the Z's it may be cheaper to just get the reward flight than change your original booking are the Oregon Ducks worth that?

Just to clarify, the OP can't change their original booking at all. Z's are totally unchangeable and even if the OP has a W or S for their PE leg, the most restrictive leg/fare rule applies for the whole journey.

Apologies for a minor deviation of this thread.

I am well aware of the inflexibility of Z fares as discussed above. However I’m currently spending a lot of time in South Africa with work and for the first time have a Z return originating in Johannesburg rather than London. This is also booked in Z class and recently noticed that the ticket states:

Outbound
Changes Any time charge zar 1300.00.
Cancellations Any time charge zar 1300.00.
Min stay No restrictions
Max stay Travel from last stopover must commence no later than 12 months after departure from fare origin.

Inbound
Changes Any time charge zar 1300.00.
Cancellations Any time charge zar 1300.00.
Min stay No restrictions
Max stay Travel from last stopover must commence no later than 12 months after departure from fare origin.

1300 ZAR is about £80. Is this really correct that Z fares booked outside the UK have much greater flexibility?

[Neil]

Yes, some Z fares that originate from outside the UK can be changed for a fee. IIRC an ex USA originating fare can be changed for $500, so the ex South Africa one is very good value.

Neil

Many thanks Neil!

That's really good to know. As far as possible I will try to ticket from SA in the future as it clearly gives much better flexibility for less money. A win-win scenario as far as I can see.

Hi there,

Unfortunately you would have to pay to change your flight to a more flexible fare for Jan 02nd which can be very expensive especially if you got the S during the recent sale, then change the date of departure to the one required to see the mighty Ducks.

Doing a dummy booking for a flexible UC fare to LAX on Jan 02nd and returning Feb 03rd for £5392.65

Depending on how much you originally paid for the Z's it may be cheaper to just get the reward flight than change your original booking are the Oregon Ducks worth that?

Just to clarify, the OP can't change their original booking at all. Z's are totally unchangeable and even if the OP has a W or S for their PE leg, the most restrictive leg/fare rule applies for the whole journey.

My apologies,

I had been told by an agent previously, and a friend of mine is looking into changing his routing for an upcoming flight that you can upgrade a Z to a D/J fare therefore getting the flexibility that comes with the D/J fare.

Also last year Mrs H and I were due to fly Z LAX-LHR on the VS008 when VS brought the flight forwards by about 40 mins, I called the FC help line to advise them that I did not feel that the changes allowed me enough time to make my connection from LAS (booked separately) so the agent changed us both to Z's on the 044 from LAS-LGW (maybe this benefitted VS in some way).

Dominic

Also last year Mrs H and I were due to fly Z LAX-LHR on the VS008 when VS brought the flight forwards by about 40 mins, I called the FC help line to advise them that I did not feel that the changes allowed me enough time to make my connection from LAS (booked separately) so the agent changed us both to Z's on the 044 from LAS-LGW (maybe this benefitted VS in some way).

Dominic

Had something similar when my return flight from Johannesburg has been brought forward. Instead of a leisurely 3.5 hours at Jo'burg airport (and Clubhouse), I now only have 1.5 hours. I called to ask to move my Z fare internal flights on the same PNR and was told that 1.5 hours was the minimum they allow and therefore I have to pay to change them.

They quoted me £90 to change them which was more than I paid for the internal flight in the first place! )

[Neil]

Sorry, Dominic, maybe slightly crossed wires. Yes, you can upgrade to a bu/br fare for a change fee of £90, and get some of the benefits, like date changes (not cancellation though). As always, though, on split code itineraries the most restrictive fare code still applies for the whole journey.

Again, there are exception circumstances when changes may be permitted, like you have experience due to VS changing flight times etc.

VS's (and no doubt others) policies on changing even if you upgrade one leg of a RT are very onerous - as I discovered recently to great cost and dissatisfaction. I think as said, if there are G's on your trip then rebooking and paying the new fuel surcharge and tax might be the most economic route.