Does standby flights still exists ?

HelenaHandcart

This is where the no-cancellation policy of airlines really works against them. I recently had flights booked with Ryanair and then a couple of days before the trip had to cancel because of family illness. I'd already checked in online but I didn't even bother to let Ryanair know that I wouldn't be travelling because there was no point (for me). However if Ryanair allowed cancellation with, say automatic refund of taxes then I would have cancelled and they could have resold the seat - probably for a lot more than I paid.

This is not a complaint about being unable to get a refund. I knew when I booked that my money was gone forever whether I travelled or not. I just think that it would be in the airline's interest to give passengers an incentive to let the airline know if they are not going to use a flight they have booked.

chunkychocky

HelenaHandcart wrote: »

This is where the no-cancellation policy of airlines really works against them. I recently had flights booked with Ryanair and then a couple of days before the trip had to cancel because of family illness. I'd already checked in online but I didn't even bother to let Ryanair know that I wouldn't be travelling because there was no point (for me). However if Ryanair allowed cancellation with, say automatic refund of taxes then I would have cancelled and they could have resold the seat - probably for a lot more than I paid.

This is not a complaint about being unable to get a refund. I knew when I booked that my money was gone forever whether I travelled or not. I just think that it would be in the airline's interest to give passengers an incentive to let the airline know if they are not going to use a flight they have booked.

You can get your taxes refunded if you cancel before the flight. Not turning up is classed as a no show and means that you are not entitled to the taxes refunded. I think you usually have to call the airline to request the refund of taxes though.

jpsartre

chunkychocky wrote: »

You can get your taxes refunded if you cancel before the flight.

But in Ryanair's case, the admin fee is so high that there's usually no point.

HelenaHandcart

chunkychocky wrote: »

You can get your taxes refunded if you cancel before the flight. Not turning up is classed as a no show and means that you are not entitled to the taxes refunded. I think you usually have to call the airline to request the refund of taxes though.

You have to claim a refund and there is an administration fee. The fee pretty much wipes out the refund so there is no point in making a claim.

I'm not complaining about not getting a refund of the taxes though; I'm just saying that airlines could automate the refund process as an incentive for people to cancel if they know they won't be able to fly.

pickpocketlocket

jpsartre wrote: »

If you have £50 in Clubcard vouchers you could convert them to Avios in your BA Executive Club account. They are usually credited the next day. That gives you enough Avios for two people to travel to from Belfast to London and back.

This will not work - the OP cannot book one of the saver routes unless they have "earned" a point/ mile in the last twelve months.

becominganobsessivesaver

pickpocketlocket wrote: »

This will not work - the OP cannot book one of the saver routes unless they have "earned" a point/ mile in the last twelve months.

But the transfer will count as earning a point, you don't have to fly!