Flights

mjohnsonuk

My parents have booked 4 flights to Sydney in mid September for them and 2 grandchildren.
Unfortunately 3 cannot now go but my father can.

When we asked to change or cancel these remaining flights, we were told nothing could be done we would lose 3 full fares. We have other family members who could go but have been told the names cannot be changed either.

Surely this is not legal. Why can't we at minimum change the person who goes on the flight.
My first suggestion to recoup some losses was to ebay the two remaining tickets

Any advice

opinions4u

If you buy non-refundable tickets they are non-refundable.

ferf1223

it is legal - assume they purchased non-transferrable, non-cancellable fares (as most would as the alternatives are vastly more expensive)...you don't say who the airline is but if you check the terms of the tickets booked you will no doubt see that this as stated. You could claim back the taxes on the flights not taken (less any admin fee that would be stated in the T&Cs).

I assume that the reasons the 3 cannot go are not something that would be covered under their travel insurance?

someanonbloke

Yes, you might automatically be covered by your bank account. Check.

jpsartre

Most airline tickets are non-transferable. The possibility of people selling them on Ebay or similar sites is exactly one of the reasons it's like that.

opinions4u

someanonbloke wrote: »

Yes, you might automatically be covered by your bank account. Check.

In what way?

ic

Airlines tend to do this to prevent companies scooping up seats, then selling them off at a higher price, changing the names as they do. A bit the same as people buy concert tickets to sell on at a higher price.

bagand96

Did your parents agree to the T & C's when booking the tickets?

And more to the point, did they actually read the T & C's they were agreeing to?

Caz3121

mjohnsonuk wrote: »

Unfortunately 3 cannot now go but my father can.

Is the reason covered by their travel insurance. If so they could claim the airport taxes back from the airline (check their Ts&Cs for any admin fee) and the remainder from the insurance

If not covered by insurance it would be taxes only back from the airline

a non refundable flight can be bought for £850 for random dates in September. For a refundable fare on the same seat on the same flights you would pay £2,700

Not refunding a £2,700 refundable fare would be something to complain about. Not refunding an £850 non-refundable fare would not be

_Andy_

someanonbloke wrote: »

Yes, you might automatically be covered by your bank account. Check.

they won't be at all. No idea why you're suggesting that.

_Andy_

You were happy to buy non-refundable flights when it suited you. now it doesn't and you're bleating about it not being 'legal'.
Superb