Flights

ferf1223

_Andy_ wrote: »

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

I read that in relation to the travel insurance line...since some have travel insurance through their bank which they don't even know about...otherwise....right there with you.

magentalady

I really do sympathise with your situation as I'm sure you've spent a huge amount on these tickets which you now can't use. However, as others have said, it is very, very rare for airlines to allow tickets to be refunded or exchanged. I know it seems unfair, but it is much better than the alternative; if this was routinely allowed, then people would be able to snap up the cheapest tickets by booking early and then just get refunds if they couldn't actually make the flight (the same reason that advance tickets on trains are usually non-refundable too). Or worse, snap up all the early tickets and then sell them on ebay, telling the airline that they're transferring the ticket to 'a friend'.

However, I've definitely known people who've fought this and win, but it has taken a LOT of fighting. Many airlines will allow refunds in exceptional circumstances such as illness or bereavement. Failing that, such circumstances are usually covered by travel insurance as others have said.

So I wouldn't give up completely, but be prepared for a fairly tough battle if you're determined to try to get a refund, and remember it's definitely not a given. And if you're to have any hope of success, I would stop trying to argue about what is and isn't 'legal', since you won't have a leg to stand on there. Instead, I would hope for a sympathetic ear at the end of the phone that you can politely explain the situation to, and ask if anything at all can be done. You may have more luck asking to postpone the trip to a later date rather than cancelling it completely - is that a possibility for your parents?

alanrowell

Change the names of the family members to match those who are booked.

budgetflyer

alanrowell wrote: »

Change the names of the family members to match those who are booked.

I was thinking that too.
Image of 6 foot guy with beard called Shirley

mcfisco

budgetflyer wrote: »

I was thinking that too.
Image of 6 foot guy with beard called Shirley

A certain Mr. Shirley Crabtree

phatbear

mjohnsonuk wrote: »

My first suggestion to recoup some losses was to ebay the two remaining tickets

mjohnsonuk wrote: »

have been told the names cannot be changed either.

so you are looking to sell them on ebay to someone with exactly the same name as the members of your famliy who cant travel?

Gloomendoom

At least the OP's father will be able to stretch out on the flight.

Obviously_the_best

Why can they not go? A very vital bit of info that's missing from your post.