Cancelling flights.

Hi,

I was looking for some advice regarding cancelling flights, as Virgin seem to be pretty useless in getting back to my query.

I have booked a UC ticket LHR to SYD, it is a discounted ticket, R class, I think, and then for the return, I have booked a Y class, I think, ticket and used miles to upgrade it.

Is any of that refundable, or even changeable? Or can I cancel and get credit towards another flight? Or do I just lose the lot?

If I cancel do I also lose the miles?

Thanks in advance.

[Neil]

R fares are restricted in terms of changes/cancellations. You should be able to make some date changes on them for a fee, but cancellation will result in the loss of the fare element, although you will be able to claim back any taxes.

Y class fares are fully refundable or changeable.

If you cancel a miles reward, you will get 75% of the miles back.

The fare codes page gives a bit more info on what is allowed in each fare code, but also check your eticket as that will list any charges and rules.

Your best option would be to call the UC reservation number and speak to someone as they will be able to give you all the options and charges for any changes etc.

Neil

Brilliant, that really helps. I just wish Virgin had such a page outlining everything.

I'll give them a call see what they say.

[Darren Wheeler]

Brilliant, that really helps. I just wish Virgin had such a page outlining everything.

They do. It's a pop-up when booking on-line and included in you booking confirmation email.

[mitchja]

Also, it's worth nothing that when you have a combination of fare types on the same booking, the lowest fare rules always override any other fare conditions/rules.

mitchja,

They always claim that, but I'm not convinced - I have frequently had Y and M tickets (out and back), but no one has ever queried upgrading the Y ticket using miles - if they went by the lowest rules (M) I wouldn't be able to do that ...

Perhaps they stick to things more rigidly for cancellations though.

Crispin

So are you saying because the lowest fare Z is non refundable, the B is not either?

I originally got the codes slightly wrong, I had booked 2 tickets, one being Z+B and the other R+B, the second of which I intend to keep, the first is the one that I wish to cancel, or change.

[Neil]

As micthja has said, when you have 2 different fare codes booked, the most restrictive/lowest fare code becomes the active when making changes/cancellations.

Really you do need to call VS and explain exactly what you want to do, and they will give you all the options available.

Neil

[Nottingham Nick]

I hadn't thought about it before, but it does make sense to have that rule. Otherwise, people who want a one way trip would be able to book a cheap outbound with a fully flex inbound and then just cancel the second flight.

As usual, those with no malicious intent are penalised by rules put in place to stop the system being fiddled.

Nick

I'm planning on calling today. It's not my ticket, I'm still planning on going.

Mileage upgrades are dependent on the sector that you are trying to use them on but for pretty much everything else, most restrictive applies.
Strangely Finnair are a bit different, the date change rule is dictated by the booking class of the sector you want to change so you can book a higher return booking class if you know you are going to be changing your dates. You have then then be careful though as the different tickets are also valid for different lengths of time and with that, the most restrictive rules apply.

It's a bl00dy minefield!