Flight cancellation

I am going to Orlando with 3 friends in May. We are flying UC from MAN to MCO and PE return. I booked it and bought the cheapest fare so I know there is no flexibility.

One friend has decided he cant go. Luckily he has already paid me as he is kicking off and wants all of his money back!! Obviously I wont be giving it back unless I get a refund from VS which I know wont happen but what are the chances of them allowing me to replace him? I know its a long shot, just thought I'd ask the experts before I even try with VS.

Sorry to say not a chance. You can never transfer a ticket to someone else.

Explained in full here: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/cu ... ooking.jsp

Yeah I knew that already. Was clinging onto hope that I could save myself from months and months and endless moaning lol.

Lets hope he falls ill nearer to the time and can then claim off his travel insurance

Give him his PNR and tell him to apply to VS directly for his (obviously non existent) refund?

Takes the heat out of the situation between you and your friend?

Had a similar situation but the person still owed money on a Travel Agent booking, got very heated and he refused to deal with us an only with the TA.

Whoever booked the ticket will be able to claim the taxes and airport fees back. It will be something like £150 - £200 maximum

Everything else is in the 'tough luck' pile or unless it's due to illness the travel insurance pile - but that is his problem not yours.


BTW him faking illness is not an option as VS will require medical certificates and 99.99% of GPs won't sign off for something that isn't true - and I used to be GP practice manager so have heard all the excuses (and been shouted and screamed at).

As above, book the non-flexible ticket classes and you basically are "paying your money and taking your chances". No changing of minds is allowed once you have booked.

The only exception is if you want to upgrade one / both sectors on the exact same flights & dates. Virgin will then be happy to take your money, subject to an admin fee for the change.

So it's a case of try to claim the taxes/charges back (again, probably subject to an admin fee) or see if the travel insurance will pay out. As said above, a travel insurer would want good documentary evidence & medical professionals will be unlikely to want to sign anything that is not 100% true.

I do remember reading on here in the past that Virgin are a bit more flexible in the event of the passing of an immediate family member (who was not travelling). Even then, there is no refund, they just let you use the ticket within 12 months, again, subject to production of satisfactory documentation.

Without intending to hijack and derail a thread - but a thought occurred to me a while ago and this seems like a good time to ask.

If someone books a restricted ticket (e.g. Z) and needed to cancel - could they in theory call up VS, pay the extra money to have it upgraded to fully flexible (probably for several thousand pounds) and then cancel their now fully flexible ticket and get the full fare back?

I really really doubt that, but it's a nice idea!

[Neil]

Without intending to hijack and derail a thread - but a thought occurred to me a while ago and this seems like a good time to ask.

If someone books a restricted ticket (e.g. Z) and needed to cancel - could they in theory call up VS, pay the extra money to have it upgraded to fully flexible (probably for several thousand pounds) and then cancel their now fully flexible ticket and get the full fare back?

No, that isn't possible, if it was, there would be no benefit to the airlines of the restricted fare rule as everyone would just be able to flaunt it.

Sorry just a quick update on this... as I upgraded the outbound from PE to UC I got the following email from VS which seems to suggest that whilst I cannot cancel, I can make a change. Would this include changing the person?

THE SMALL PRINT

Outbound
Changes Charge gbp 100.00.
Cancellations Any time ticket is non-refundable.
Min stay Travel from last international stopover must commence no earlier than the first sun after departure of the first international sector.
Max stay Travel from last international stopover must commence no later than 12 months after departure of the first international sector.

Inbound
Changes Charge gbp 100.00.
Cancellations Any time ticket is non-refundable.
Min stay Travel from last international stopover must commence no earlier than the first sun after departure of the first international sector.
Max stay Travel from last international stopover must commence no later than 12 months after departure of the first international sector.

Please note: If the fare conditions differ for your outbound and inbound flights, the most restrictive condition applies.

[Neil]

No, name changes are never permitted.

I'm afraid name changes aren't allowed under any circumstances by most if not all airlines, apart from correcting an incorrectly spelled name.

The plot thickens...

Spoke to VS on live chat and they said this:

By using this service you agree to the information you provide being shared with a carefully selected third party who manages this process on our behalf.
info: You are now connected with a Virgin Atlantic Chat Representative.
Please note that any quotes provided are subject to availability and are not guaranteed until payment has been made and accepted.

Katherine: Hi, you're chatting with Katherine. How can I help you?
Mark : Hi Katherine
Mark : I have a booking in my name, ref XXXXX
Katherine: Hi Mark, I hope you are well today.
Mark : Flying MAN to MCO on May 13th
Katherine: It's great to hear you will be travelling with us! How can I help?
Mark : and MCO to MAN on May 19th
Mark : I upgraded the outbound leg from PE to UC
Mark : You then sent me the following email:
Mark : THE SMALL PRINT Outbound Changes Charge gbp 100.00. Cancellations Any time ticket is non-refundable. Min stay Travel from last international stopover must commence no earlier than the first sun after departure of the first international sector. Max stay Travel from last international stopover must commence no later than 12 months after departure of the first international sector. Inbound Changes Charge gbp 100.00. Cancellations Any time ticket is non-refundable. Min stay Travel from last international stopover must commence no earlier than the first sun after departure of the first international sector. Max stay Travel from last international stopover must commence no later than 12 months after departure of the first international sector. Please note: If the fare conditions differ for your outbound and inbound flights, the most restrictive condition applies.
Mark : It mentions changes are charged at £100
Mark : what changes are allowed?
Katherine: The changes would refer to any date changes or route changes for example. As you upgraded the same flight on the same date to a higher cabin, the change fee isn't charged only the difference in the cost of the ticket.
Katherine: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Mark : so could I change a passenger?
Katherine: On direct bookings made with Virgin Atlantic, you can change a passenger's name once outside of 24 hours of your flight departure for a £50 name amendment fee. I hope this helps.
Mark : change a name as in amend a spelling?
Mark : or change a name as in change Peter XXXXXX to John Smith for example?
Katherine: You'd be able to change a full name to a different passenger. It's quite a new policy.
Mark : ok thanks
Katherine: You're welcome!
Katherine: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Mark : no thanks

Wow! Never heard of this being allowed! I thought name changes were not allowed for security reasons as much as the money snaffling. Would be interested in seeing this in the T&C or, indeed, in their new policy.

If it is true then that's your problem sorted but it wouldn't be the first time a VS rep has misquoted.

Good luck

Well that is new, and a very good thing too.

Excellent discovery.

Very interesting to note that they specify direct bookings with VS, the implication being that they would not do this if booked via Expedia etc.

I can see this ending in tears, direct booking or no. A scalpers' charter.

at least it may stop my friend from complaining. All he has to do now is find someone to go in his place. Any money he gets out of them is money he wouldnt have gotten back from VS originally.

I can see this ending in tears, direct booking or no. A scalpers' charter.

I agree.

In the summer I had 4 Gs booked and daughters boyfriend wanted to come. I phoned up ask about changing a g to him and buying a ticket for me (to get miles and points). 1st agent said no, 2nd said yes. Luckily another g came up (so 5 on 1 boston to lhr flight)

[Neil]

Wow, that is a pretty major change in policy and totally opposite to the majority of the industry.

My sister phoned CS yesterday regarding possibility of a ticket name change to another person and was told a definite no