Unable to Change Flight Details

et_tu_brute

Hello,

I hope someone can give me some truly valuable advice.

Less than 24 hours ago, I booked, via a Traveller Counsellor, a return flight to the Dominican Republic. Then realised within 24 hours that I had given the wrong dates for departure and return. I basically need to travel a couple of weeks later.

But now I've been told that no change is allowed on the ticket. And somehow, while I can get the tax back, the airline will keep the fuel surcharges part of the flight I won't take. So, out of £730, I'll be lucky to get £100 back as a refund.

To say I feel sick is an understatement. I had to save like mad to come up with that money as I have to attend a 6 day course out there.

Considering that the ticket was purchased literally less than 24 hours ago, is it unreasonable for Airfrance to deny me the chance to amend for a fee, instead of me having to fork out £800 for another flight.

Many thanks for any advice!

malkie76

Unfortunately that's the state of play. I think if you've booked over the phone, or in person you have 24hours cooling off to make changes or cancel.

If you've done it online then you don't have any rights to amendments.
However, if you appeal to an airlines good nature they often will make changes within 24hours if you still fly with them.

I'd suggest calling them again and hope you get a more sympathetic call agent. Otherwise the £100 refund sounds about right.

Tojo_Ralph

Non-Refundable, Non-Changeable tickets are invariably just that, heavily discounted but wholly inflexible.

http://www.airfrance.co.uk/AU/en/local/transverse/footer/edito_cgv.htm

As above though, if you booked direct with AF you may be fortunate enough to get a sympathic members of AF staff, although sympathetic and AF are not often used in the same sentence.

et_tu_brute

Thanks for your responses. I did it over the phone with the Travel Counsellor. I didn't book it directly online.

malkie76 wrote: »

Unfortunately that's the state of play. I think if you've booked over the phone, or in person you have 24hours cooling off to make changes or cancel.

If you've done it online then you don't have any rights to amendments.
However, if you appeal to an airlines good nature they often will make changes within 24hours if you still fly with them.

I'd suggest calling them again and hope you get a more sympathetic call agent. Otherwise the £100 refund sounds about right.

blindman

et_tu_brute wrote: »

Thanks for your responses. I did it over the phone with the Travel Counsellor. I didn't book it directly online.

Have you spoken direct to AF or is it Travel Agent who says the fare is not changeable?

I know some airlines in the UK have a 24hr fee free change policy on ALL tickets

et_tu_brute

Initially, I was in dialogue with the Travel Agent and it was she who said that Air France rules were that the flight cannot be changed. I've contacted AirFrance and they tell me that the contract is with the Travel Agent so they cannot interfere and it would have been up to the Travel Agent. They say had I booked direct with them, then they could have helped.

So, I've asked the Travel Agent who told me it could not be done to clarify. I know the payment from my card went to the Travel Agent, not Air France.

Yes, I had hoped for a good will gesture within 24 hours of ticket purchase. I was even happy to pay a fee for the change. Well not happy, but accepting if such had been required.

blindman wrote: »

Have you spoken direct to AF or is it Travel Agent who says the fare is not changeable?

I know some airlines in the UK have a 24hr fee free change policy on ALL tickets

blindman

et_tu_brute wrote: »

Initially, I was in dialogue with the Travel Agent and it was she who said that Air France rules were that the flight cannot be changed. I've contacted AirFrance and they tell me that the contract is with the Travel Agent so they cannot interfere and it would have been up to the Travel Agent. They say had I booked direct with them, then they could have helped.

So, I've asked the Travel Agent who told me it could not be done to clarify. I know the payment from my card went to the Travel Agent, not Air France.

Yes, I had hoped for a good will gesture within 24 hours of ticket purchase. I was even happy to pay a fee for the change. Well not happy, but accepting if such had been required.

Get them to send you the fare rules for that ticket.

Obvious question:

Why did you not book direct with AF?

et_tu_brute

Obvious and legit question. The Travel agent had gone the extra mile for me in researching some other stuff for the trip. Just
felt the least I could do was book with them.

There is a happy ending. I've had the dates changed on a discretionary basis. The Agent and Air France were diamonds on my behalf. And you guys too. It was really helpful to have all your input.

blindman wrote: »

Get them to send you the fare rules for that ticket.

Obvious question:

Why did you not book direct with AF?

blindman

et_tu_brute wrote: »

Obvious and legit question. The Travel agent had gone the extra mile for me in researching some other stuff for the trip. Just
felt the least I could do was book with them.

There is a happy ending. I've had the dates changed on a discretionary basis. The Agent and Air France were diamonds on my behalf. And you guys too. It was really helpful to have all your input.

Really glad it worked out for you.

In the future when you're spending ££££'s on the Internet:

1) Check the dates\names\destination\departure
2) Be sober :rotfl: (personal note-not aimed at you :cool:)
3) Check the dates\names\destination\departure
4) Ask wife\partner to check dates\times etc (if she's sober!)
5) Book Direct -so no middle man with "their" T&C's
6) Did I mention to check dates etc:cool:


Bon Voyage.:cool:

DesertWind

Glad it worked out for you. I am so paranoid about booking expensive flights now. I triple check everything now. I got caught out on some flights I booked on BA from my local airport to Heathrow. Got the dates wrong. Rang up about 10 minutes later and all I got refunded was the tax. Think is cost me over £100. That was quite a while ago though and I presume they would be more flexible now. Was sick at the time though.

agrinnall

blindman wrote: »

1) Check the dates\names\destination\departure
2) Be sober :rotfl: (personal note-not aimed at you :cool:)
3) Check the dates\names\destination\departure
4) Ask wife\partner to check dates\times etc (if she's sober!)
5) Book Direct -so no middle man with "their" T&C's
6) Did I mention to check dates etc:cool:

Excellent set of rules, I've fallen foul of a couple of them myself in the past so they are well worth memorising/posting next to your PC/getting tattooed on a visible body part :j