Changing Reward Flight Query

We'd booked two Upper reward flights to Tokyo for a total of 200,000 miles, departing on 11th April. We've decided to cancel as we don't think we'd enjoy Japan as much as we'd like at the moment.

Presently, VS is allowing full refunds for flights up to 10th April, so being a day later we would lose 50,000 miles for a cancellation.

I wanted to change our flights and go to New york, but in economy upgraded to PE with our Amex vouchers. The Premier Team member I spoke to (and confirmed by his supervisor) said that you can't downgrade. The Terms and conditions seem to allow for a change to date, route and class change for a £25 fee, but don't mention the direction of change of class ( I guess most people would want to upgrade). However we want to save as many miles as possible to rebook to Tokyo next year.

I'm hoping that they will extend the refund period beyond 10th April, but can't leave it much longer. If I leave cancellation until within 7 days I risk losing all the miles!

Any advice would be welcomed!

Why not simply reschedule your NRT flights later this year and, if you can run to it, book PE to New York in the current sale (about £650 each)?

Then you'll keep your miles on your originally intended route, and earn more !

Why not simply reschedule your NRT flights later this year and, if you can run to it, book PE to New York in the current sale (about £650 each)?

Then you'll keep your miles on your originally intended route, and earn more !

If only it were that simple! Unfortunately I know that due to work commitments etc. we won't be able to go back to Japan until next April - and I can't book that far ahead just yet. And PE flights to NYC are showing at £1690 each when we can travel.

But thanks for your input

This is purely speculation but what's to stop you rebooking your Tokyo flights to sometime later this year and then rebooking them again later in the year for April 2012? Are there rules against this?

[Neil]

This is purely speculation but what's to stop you rebooking your Tokyo flights to sometime later this year and then rebooking them again later in the year for April 2012? Are there rules against this?

No, but you will be charged £25 per person every time you make a change.

This is purely speculation but what's to stop you rebooking your Tokyo flights to sometime later this year and then rebooking them again later in the year for April 2012? Are there rules against this?

I was told that you can only rebook up to a year from the date of your original booking, which we made in August. I was given to understand that further postponements wouldn't be permitted.

I contacted the Premier Team again today and spoke to an extremely helpful lady. She told me that I could have all my miles refunded, and rebook into a lower class of travel by rebooking as a revenue flight. So we've booked economy flights to NYC upgraded with miles to PE. Very happy with the service I received, although as others have said, it does seem to depend on who you get to speak to. Was surprised at being able to get PE miles upgrades within 10 days of travel.

[honey lamb]

This is purely speculation but what's to stop you rebooking your Tokyo flights to sometime later this year and then rebooking them again later in the year for April 2012? Are there rules against this?

I was told that you can only rebook up to a year from the date of your original booking, which we made in August. I was given to understand that further postponements wouldn't be permitted.

I contacted the Premier Team again today and spoke to an extremely helpful lady. She told me that I could have all my miles refunded, and rebook into a lower class of travel by rebooking as a revenue flight. So we've booked economy flights to NYC upgraded with miles to PE. Very happy with the service I received, although as others have said, it does seem to depend on who you get to speak to. Was surprised at being able to get PE miles upgrades within 10 days of travel.

Result!