One way ticket

Hi everyone - We booked an UC tickets a few weeks ago knowing that my mum was terminally ill, therefore no cancellation insurance, but took the chance that everything would be alright. If we are unable to go on the date planned - 31 July - would we be able to book a one way ticket and use the return portion of our UC flights? It is a Z class ticket so I know there are lots of restrictions. Will be extremely disappointed that we cant use the CH but still want/need to get away. I am hoping that if we have to change flights some very very nice person would be able to invite us into the CH as a guest.

I was under the impression that if the outward leg of a return ticket isn't used, the return automatically becomes invalid.

Of course if you buy a more expensive flexible ticket you can change the dates you fly but if you bought the cheapest restricted UC you can't.

I'm sorry to hear about your mum and I do hope you make the dates and have a fabulous vacation.

A tough situation I'm afraid, as said, if you don't take the outbound your inbound is automatically cancelled, even if you tell VS in advance. And as you entered into this knowing the restrictions and the risk, it's difficult to see what can be done. If you purchased a sale fare then it could be more unlikely that you'll get sympathy from VS with a direct appeal.

What you could do is enquire about the cost of changing your outbound to a flexible fare. But that could be very expensive from a sale Z.

As others have said, you cannot skip the outbound leg -- this will cancel the return and it will be expensive to extricate yourself from that.

Even the very good sale Z fare bases have a provision for switching to a more flexible ticket. Unfortunately, though, I think that the only class that you can move to is J, which is the fully flexible business fare, and that will be (for most peoply) prohibitively expensive.

I'm sorry about your situation -- sounds like you may yet not need to change the date though.

Hi,

So sorry to hear about your mother. You do have to use your tickets in the order you purchased it and this is not something that can be over-ridden. Normally as highlighted Z class tickets (UK Originating) are super restrictive and do not permit changes at all. However, this is not always the case so firstly I would contact VS on the Upper Class line and ask if changes are permitted for a change fee. Should they say no then as long as your reason for not travelling as planned is due to illness and you can get a doctors note to support this then VS would look into allowing you to re-book only applying any difference in fare.

If they are able to do this your only obstacle then will be to find Z's if you are travelling over the summer period which may be difficult. Also to bear in mind UC has advanced purchase which means to even get Z's you will have to be re-booking outside of 21 days. Again that is not gospel as if VS has a last minute sale sometimes that AP is as low as 7 days. This is obviously on the assumption the change is medical.

If you are referring to a voluntary change then realistically you might as-well abandon the UC ticket and purchase new returns. You can always use the UC tickets later but you might have to pay the difference between the Z and a higher UC fare (generally this is a full J).

Hope this helps you out a bit. Before you give out any more money though ensure you are fully aware of your options and where you stand with your tickets.

Krgds.

I've changed a Z for 90 pounds change fee...

I've changed a Z for 90 pounds change fee...

Are you in the US or was your ticket booked in the US?

The other issue for the OP is that you cannot now book a Z for 31 July, only a D if available and from next week a J.

[Neil]

I've changed a Z for 90 pounds change fee...

You can't just do date change on a UK originating Z fare for £90. For a £90 change fee you can upgrade your Z to a J/D (maybe C but not 100% sure of the rules associated with the currently) which will allow date changes. It is clearly stated in the T&C's

Changes any time changes not permitted. Waived for illness or death of passenger or family member. Note - before departure of the outbound journey prior to departure of the original scheduled flight - may be used as credit towards the purchase of a bu/br fare type at a charge of gbp90 - reprice using current fares. After departure of the outbound journey prior to departure of the original scheduled flight - may be used as credit towards the purchase of a bu/br fare type at a charge of gbp90 - reprice using fares in effect at time of original ticket issue. Resulting fare must be equal or higher than original fare. No show after departure of the original scheduled flight may be used as credit towards the purchase of a bu /br fare type at a charge of gbp140 - reprice as above

Well it just depends on the fare basis. I am sure I have seen Zs with modest change fees in the past (for date changes). I have also seen Zs with tiny advance purchase requirements.

The most recent sale fares were not changeable though, other than by switching to a bu/br fare and payment of (I think) £90. In effect I think that means switching to a J and paying the difference, because even Ds are classed as excursion fares. (I think.)

[Neil]

Well it just depends on the fare basis. I am sure I have seen Zs with modest change fees in the past (for date changes). I have also seen Zs with tiny advance purchase requirements.

Z's used to be date changeable for a fee, but the t&c's changes sometime last year. For US originating fares they are still changeable for a $500 fee, but UK originating fares now have to upgrade to bu/br.

I've changed a Z for 90 pounds change fee...

Are you in the US or was your ticket booked in the US?

The other issue for the OP is that you cannot now book a Z for 31 July, only a D if available and from next week a J.

I am in the UK, actually no, now I think about it I didn't. I changed a K fare from one airport (LGW) and day, to Vegas UC from Manchester instead. So it was an upgrade. Sorry about that, completely irrelevant...

Thank you everyone for your advice. I am going to visit mum tomorrow, she lives 500 miles away which just adds other factors into the situation. Think I will see how she is before I contact VA just in case there is a possibility we may be able to go - fingers crossed.

Just thought I would update, mum is still with us so going to go tomorrow as planned. Going to enjoy as much as we can and take it a day at a time.

Just thought I would update, mum is still with us so going to go tomorrow as planned. Going to enjoy as much as we can and take it a day at a time.

That's great, have a fab time.

Just thought I would add a similar experience we had.

We were visiting a relative in the USA back in 2002. Whilst we were there she unexpectedly died in her sleep 24 hours before we were due to fly back to the UK. Obviously, we wanted to stay to help out and for the funeral, so contacted airline (UA), who were excellent. Although we were on a non-flexible economy ticket, they allowed us to change flights and travel back after the funeral at no additional charge. We had travel insurance, but never had to use it.

It's always best contacting the airline first, you never know, they may allow for changes to be made, given the circumstances.

Well doesnt life just have a way of turning upside down! Looks like we wont be going now as things have taken a dramatic turn for the worse and I shall be heading to Scotland instead of Miami - maybe one day

[honey lamb]

Well doesnt life just have a way of turning upside down! Looks like we wont be going now as things have taken a dramatic turn for the worse and I shall be heading to Scotland instead of Miami - maybe one day

I'm sorry to hear that but do contact VS and explain the circumstances. You will have to support what you tell them with appropriate documentation but I'm sure you will find them sympathetic to your plight and try and work out something to your advantage

Sadly mum passed away 3 hours before we were due to fly. As suggested we contacted VA and they were indeed sympathetic. On production of death certificate they will refund us or carry the balance forward towards another flight. As we dont know when we are going to take a flight we are going to opt for a refund.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

[Nottingham Nick]

Sincere condolences.
At this very hard time, flights are something you shouldn't need to worry about right now.

Nick

I am so sorry to hear that. Whatever you do in terms of your flight, I hope you celebrate your mom in the way she deserves.

I am very sorry to hear that -- my condolences.

at240

[honey lamb]

Oh, I am so sorry. It has been a very difficult time for you lately and it still isn't over. Hopefully you will be able to get away in the not too distant future and get the rest you deserve

Very sorry to hear of your loss, it has been very difficult for you as we can only imagine.

We were in the same position as you last year when my father-in-law became ill, with a suspected heart attack a month before we were to go away, we had booked a year before.
On the advice of doctors and other nursing staff we were assured he would be alright and was making a good recovery, but it was a nightmare for us on holiday not really knowing what was going on and feeling really guilty for going away.We did not enjoy any of it and in the end he took a turn for the worse and we had to come home early just in time as it happened.

Virgin were very good to us and got us on the next available flight.

Hope in a few months you will feel better and can enjoy yourself again, i know the old cliche but time does heal. Linda

Thanks everyone for your kind words. We gave her a good send off and truly celebrated her life.

I am now waiting to see if there is likely to be another "great" sale which would allow us to book another flight. Have seen the FC points offer but we are saving them to go to Australia for when we retire.

Just wanted to let people know I have now received the refund - now time to start planning again.