Cancelled return flight - hotel costs

Mrs_Rachel_M · 6 September 2017 at 7:09PM

Good evening fellow Moneysavers :wave:
Could I pick your brains please?
My friend and I have booked a holiday to Las Vegas in December and we discovered by chance today that Virgin have cancelled our return flight. We spoke to the customer service who told us that we will be offered a flight the day before (in which case they will refund us one nights hotel cost) or a flight the next day.
They have said if we choose the latter option we will need to pay for the extra night at the hotel. My question to you all is do they have an obligation to pay for the hotel or are they within their rights to ask us to pay for this? We are only going for 5 nights so don't want to cut our trip short!
Thanks, Rachel

glentoran99 · 6 September 2017 at 7:18PM

Mrs_Rachel_M wrote: »

Good evening fellow Moneysavers :wave:
Could I pick your brains please?
My friend and I have booked a holiday to Las Vegas in December and we discovered by chance today that Virgin have cancelled our return flight. We spoke to the customer service who told us that we will be offered a flight the day before (in which case they will refund us one nights hotel cost) or a flight the next day.
They have said if we choose the latter option we will need to pay for the extra night at the hotel. My question to you all is do they have an obligation to pay for the hotel or are they within their rights to ask us to pay for this? We are only going for 5 nights so don't want to cut our trip short!
Thanks, Rachel

You aren't going to get a free night on virgin

blindman · 6 September 2017 at 7:28PM

Mrs_Rachel_M wrote: »

Good evening fellow Moneysavers :wave:
Could I pick your brains please?
My friend and I have booked a holiday to Las Vegas in December and we discovered by chance today that Virgin have cancelled our return flight. We spoke to the customer service who told us that we will be offered a flight the day before (in which case they will refund us one nights hotel cost) or a flight the next day.
They have said if we choose the latter option we will need to pay for the extra night at the hotel. My question to you all is do they have an obligation to pay for the hotel or are they within their rights to ask us to pay for this? We are only going for 5 nights so don't want to cut our trip short!
Thanks, Rachel

Ask the question on V-flyer

More likelihood of quicker and more knowledgeable answers.

Wait until you get answers before you decide what to tell Virgin.

Not sure if you are entitled to ask to get home on a different airline (at Virgins cost) as the trip is so far out.

Have you booked the hotel separately or is this a Virgin Holiday?

Have they offered you to cancel and get the money back?

Mrs_Rachel_M · 7 September 2017 at 7:29AM

Thanks for your replies. Yes, it is a package holiday we booked with Virgin holidays. They have offered us the option of a full refund too but we have made plans now!
Will have a look at the website you suggested, thanks .

jpsartre · 7 September 2017 at 8:21AM

Mrs_Rachel_M wrote: »

My question to you all is do they have an obligation to pay for the hotel or are they within their rights to ask us to pay for this?

I would lean towards the former although EU regulations are open to interpretation. Basically, the regulations say that if a flight is cancelled passengers have a right to choose "re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at a later date at the passenger's convenience" and a right to hotel accommodation "where a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary". What is unclear to me is whether the additional stay you propose counts as necessary in this respect.

Hotels aren't too expensive in Vegas, it might be less hassle to simply book a room yourself.

leylandsunaddict · 7 September 2017 at 9:01AM

It's a package holiday, not a flight booked with the airline, so Virgin Holidays T&Cs have the information about what they do when it comes to changes by them prior to departure.

"Most changes are minor but occasionally, we may have to make a Major Change. If we have to make a Major Change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible and if there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:

(for Major Changes) accepting the changed arrangements or

Purchasing alternative arrangements from us, of a similar standard to those originally booked if available (if the chosen alternative is less expensive than your original one, we will refund the difference but if it is more expensive, we will ask you to pay the difference) or

Cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you have paid to us."

https://www.virginholidays.co.uk/important/terms-and-conditions

That's stand to nearly every tour operator.

jpsartre · 7 September 2017 at 11:39AM

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

It's a package holiday, not a flight booked with the airline

EU261 applies regardless.

jonesMUFCforever · 8 September 2017 at 8:46PM

Gee whizz that is a real downer isn't it - having to stay an extra night in Vegas ?? LOL

Gloomendoom · 8 September 2017 at 8:52PM

I went to Las Vegas once. Glad I went, but I doubt I'll go back.

photome · 9 September 2017 at 7:59AM

Where is the return flight to, if it's Gatwick I thought virgin operated 2 flights daily, if they do could they get you on the other one

If you do decide to pay for an extra night have a look on smartervegas or lowcostusa it won't cost much for an extra night depending on where you choose , what hotel are you staying at for the 5 nights

Doshwaster · 9 September 2017 at 2:54PM

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Gee whizz that is a real downer isn't it - having to stay an extra night in Vegas ?? LOL

Just spend all night in a casino so there is no need to pay for an extra night in a hotel.

Cancelled return flight - hotel costs

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