Cancelling flights to change to other airline

JackP123

Morning all.

For starters, I know I’m stupid, I know I should of looked properly. I know it’s my fault.

I have 2 flights booked for me and my partner. MAN to SFO and LAX to MAN. End of August to mid September.

We are doing a Californian road trip.

We have seen what Thomas Cook offer truly on their airlines and we would much prefer to fly with Virgin. Snobs? Maybe. But we are doing a “dream/once in a lifetime holiday” and it’s an 11hr flight..

Anyway. I did purchase the flex fare. What I didn’t realise is that yes you can cancel, but it will cost £400 in admin fees! Now, Thomas Cook truly have the right to charge this but wowza. That’s a lot. I would get £600 back and really it’s not worth cancelling.

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to waive this fees? I only booked 2 weeks ago and the flights are over 7 months way.

If anyone has any good suggestions on how to sell the flights?

And lastly, if anyone actually wants to take them then be my guest!!! Departure locations and destinations and dates all changeable:rotfl:

waamo

Instead of taking a massive hit on cancellation fees why not upgrade your Thomas Cook seats for extra legroom?

I rather suspect you won't get a much improved experience flying Virgin to be honest.

Voyager2002

Virgin economy is really nothing to get excited about (I was upgraded once, and that was a very different experience). I guarantee that if you waste all that money in order to fly Virgin, you will be disappointed.


Now, there is a reasonable chance that the flight schedule will change, giving you the right to cancel without penalty and receive a full refund. By that time, however, Virgin fares will probably have gone up.


My suggestion is that you look forward to the holiday that begins when you arrive, and regard the flight as being like sitting in a traffic jam on the way to the airport. Alternatively, an upgrade on your existing booking would remove some of the discomfort.

photome

save your money and stay where you are, economy is economy (unless its BA and then its worse)

waamo

photome wrote: »

save your money and stay where you are, economy is economy (unless its BA and then its worse)

Seconded about BA. I've made the mistake of flying long haul with them once. I won't make the same mistake again.

EveryWhere

I wasn't that impressed with the Virgin product and I flew Premium Economy. But that was many years ago.
I'm not sure why some are so down on BA, as it really depends on the aircraft. Some are awful and some are good. I've flown upstairs on the A380 to SFO in Economy and it was good.

So, there are pros and cons with them all.
If it was a 'once in a lifetime' trip, perhaps you should have thought about it earlier. Now, you should just make the best of it. It's not as if the other airlines are going to give you a luxury experience in Economy.
Take some treats for yourself on-board. A half bottle of Champagne air-side.Your favourite music. Whatever takes your fancy. Make it as pleasant as you can.
Usually I just sleep.

JackP123

Appreciate your responses everyone. I agree, I think I will leave it.

And EveryWhere - yes. I know I should of thought about it, however Virgin hadn’t publicised their flights at the time of booking!

Maybe my idea of Virgin is somewhat tinted after only really doing long haul with them, when really economy is economy and every other airline would be the same?!

I think where Virgin offer meals throughout the flight included and “unlimited” drinks, TC don’t and everything is chargable. That was my sticking point

EveryWhere

JackP123 wrote: »

Appreciate your responses everyone. I agree, I think I will leave it.

And EveryWhere - yes. I know I should of thought about it, however Virgin hadn’t publicised their flights at the time of booking!

Maybe my idea of Virgin is somewhat tinted after only really doing long haul with them, when really economy is economy and every other airline would be the same?!

I think where Virgin offer meals throughout the flight included and “unlimited” drinks, TC don’t and everything is chargeable. That was my sticking point

I wasn't criticising. Just meant that you shouldn't waste your money. Buy your favourite tipple air-side and pop it into your hand luggage and perhaps pack some quality items from Waitrose or the like too into your hand luggage.

It will cost you a lot less than changing your tickets.

londoninvestor

EveryWhere wrote: »

I wasn't that impressed with the Virgin product and I flew Premium Economy.

Agreed - it's fine but nothing that special. The brand seems to have a bit of an aura based on how it was 15-20 years ago, but the reality is more mediocre these days.

I'd say the same about BA though - both have rested on their laurels a bit while the competition has improved.

JackP123

Does anyone have any direct experience with TC Airlines out of curiosity?

jpsartre

JackP123 wrote: »

I think where Virgin offer meals throughout the flight included and “unlimited” drinks, TC don’t and everything is chargable. That was my sticking point

You can buy a lot of drinks for £400