Virgin Atlantic - Cancelling flights

victor2

bobweston wrote: »

I think Vegas on my own would fry my mind. I'd need to take my attorney with me.

Depends on what you enjoy, but there's plenty of alternative things in the area around Vegas. Hire a car and drive to the Hoover Dam, a bit further and you'll reach the Grand Canyon. Hotels near the Canyon are expensive, but a bit further afield (like an hour's drive), motels become very reasonable and available.
You can always take a helicopter flight to the Canyon from Vegas. Costs a bit, but a fantastic experience. LA, San Francisco and the Pacific Coast highway are also something worth looking at in that area and only a short domestic flight away if you can't justify changing the original ticket.

Doshwaster

Voyager2002 wrote: »

It is VERY easy to meet people and make friends in the USA.

Very easy. If you have a British accent you only have to say hello and you'll have loads of people wanting to talk to you. Even better if you are a single man...:)

Voyager2002

CountryGoose wrote: »

Can they be really creative with you and let you have both tickets? Ie. Fly one now in July and then pay £50 and fly one next year?

Flying alone isn't such a big problem - you'll soon find people to be with. If off to the West Coast, take yourself off to Vegas for a few days.

The problem would be that airlines often don't allow you to change the passenger's name, meaning that the only person who could use the ex's ticket is the ex herself.

bobweston

Voyager2002 wrote: »

The problem would be that airlines often don't allow you to change the passenger's name, meaning that the only person who could use the ex's ticket is the ex herself.

Virgin have said they can split the booking so we both have a separate booking reference. I'm going to contact Which? to see what they say.

Doshwaster

bobweston wrote: »

Virgin have said they can split the booking so we both have a separate booking reference. I'm going to contact Which? to see what they say.

Did she pay for her half of the booking or did you? If she paid for her ticket and now doesn't want to go then that's her problem - nothing to stop you going and enjoying yourself. If you paid for her then it's probably a loss you are just going to have to swallow.

Caz3121

bobweston wrote: »

I'm going to contact Which? to see what they say.

They will likely refer you to the Ts&Cs you agreed to when you bought the tickets
Virgin do offer the difference between Economy (lowest) and Economy (flexible)...as well as other classes. The Flexible ticket would allow you refunds etc but the fare is just under £2k per person for a return from Lon-SFO...so if you had spent £4,000 on the tickets you would have been able to get it all back (but I guess not many people would fork out that amount for flights where you could buy the same seats for a % of the price unless they thought there was a good chance they would need to change or cancel)

duchy

Which will simply refer you back to the terms and conditions (which you'd have ticked to say you accepted when you booked).

Get them to "split the PNR" and if you want to go at a later time (maybe to give a mate time to save up to come too)ask what the change fee would be. You don't say how old you are but if you don't want to go solo and none of your mates can make it take a look at Trek America for tours within America -that might appeal to you. It's aimed at younger people rather than "the coach tour set" and is usually a mix of cheap hotels.hostals and camping (they supply all the gear). Lots of fun and very active. You book just the tour with them so it won't matter your flight is already booked.

I've travelled solo in the US many times ...and it's true the accent is a real icebreaker Apparently both American men and women think it's "sooo cute" !

basil92

Doshwaster wrote: »

Did she pay for her half of the booking or did you? If she paid for her ticket and now doesn't want to go then that's her problem - nothing to stop you going and enjoying yourself. If you paid for her then it's probably a loss you are just going to have to swallow.

Hopefully she paid her own ticket but I think the OP should go. Would be such a waste otherwise. Annoying the name can't be changed though!

I'd just travel alone if needs be...I'm sure he'll still have a great time.

bobweston

Thanks guys.

We paid for our own tickets.

I just find it a bit 'off' that Virgin can't transfer my ticket to someone else's name or resell it before July. They're a big enough company, with high prices so should have the capacity for these.

My age: 33, so borderline young/old/dead

Doshwaster

basil92 wrote: »

Hopefully she paid her own ticket but I think the OP should go. Would be such a waste otherwise. Annoying the name can't be changed though!

I'd just travel alone if needs be...I'm sure he'll still have a great time.

Most airlines don't allow name changes as it prevents people buying tickets when they are cheap and then putting them onto Ebay like concert and sports tickets.

Damn right I'd go on my own - it's virtually impossible not to have a good time in San Fran by yourself. She could use her portion too - it's not as if they would have to sit next to each other on the plane - but that's up to her. Splitting the PNR seems to be a very reasonable solution from Virgin.