Help! Virgin Atlantic have my money

peterd4

I've booked a trip to Vegas in September but due to unforeseen circumstances I am unable to go.

Virgin have made it very clear that I cannot change the name to another person (even though they are willing to pay a little extra for the flight!), I have spoken to someone from the refunds team and they inform me that I can only claim back the taxes, fees and surcharges (approx £300). However the cost of the flight (£450) cannot be reclaimed and they now have that! Unless I can get a doctors note that is reviewed on a case for case basis I cannot claim this back.

This just doesn't seem right to me and Virgin have now got £450 for doing absolutly jack! How do I get my money back?

Please help!

Incapuppy

If you have bought a non-changeable, non-refundable ticket you don't - unless you have travel insurance to cover the reason you are no longer able to travel.

phatbear

You dont!!

You have entered a contract with virgin to supply a service and you have chosen to break that contract.

The only option would have been if you got ill etc and then claimed on your travel insurance

Westin

It would seem that to get the ticket price you were happy with that you booked a fare class that is non refundable/restrictive changes. That's often the way with any airline. Did you read the terms and conditions when booking?

Buying a more expensive ticket would have given you and option to amend, cancel and obtain a refund, but the difference in cost from what you paid would be quite large.

phatbear

Great minds pup!!!

peterd4

So unless i have some sort of medical condition i'm waving goodbye to that money! That kind of sucks seeing as in desperate need of a cash injection.

Unfortunately, with the T&Cs they are huge. To try and find the specific information in all the legal jargon is a massive trauma in its self!

peterd4

P.S. Thanks for your help so far.

phatbear

When you purchased the ticket did you book a flexible ticket? If not, as previously stated, then you are locked into you travelling that day, the alternative is quite a price hike.

The medical issue would of course need to be legit and signed off by a doctor and be covered by your travel insurance.

phatbear

to give you a comparison between flexible and non flex i did a quick price up with virgin and to fly to NY, i know your flight is to LV, in sept non flex is £547 rtn but flex is £1300 so you can see you pay for the option to change the tickets

richardw

If you can't travel 'due to unforeseen circumstances' can you claim on an insurance policy?

peterd4

I do have a current medical condition meaning that I have torn the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in my knee which has also developed a cyst. It would be excruciating to be on a plane for 10-11 hours so could work in my favour.

I haven't taken out any insurance, however I think my bank may have it included with my account. This will have to be something to look into