Cancelling flights to China with Expedia

ceewash

I have decided to cancel my trip to China (due to the flu virus) on Feb 5th. That has been a difficult decision but I have bowed to family pressure.
Is there any chance of getting a refund from Expedia? The flights were BA to Heathrow then Virgin to Shanghai. Hotels were all on free cancellation so that will be ok.
Any advice on what is best approach with Expedia? Or do I contact airlines. Cathay Pacific is offering refunds. Thanks

leylandsunaddict

You've changed your mind about travelling and Expedia aren't going to pay for your cancelled tickets, neither are BA or VS. Neither have a travel alert in place. Shangai is over 500 miles from Wuhan where all the transport hubs are closed anyway, and travel is restricted.

ceewash

Yes my reasons for not going are bit complicated but essentially I have changed my mind. It's just that I read this about Cathay Pacific

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3047508/china-coronavirus-cathay-pacific-offers-refunds

"Aside from Cathay, the other airlines offering refunds are Hong Kong Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern, Air China, Hainan Airlines and AirAsia."

TELLIT01

If you have purchased the cheapest option i.e. non-refundable then you aren't entitled to any refund unless the Foreign Office advises against travel to the area you will be landing. Even refundable tickets may result in a partial loss of refund given how close it now is to the date of travel.

martindow

I suppose if cases spread in China the Foreign Office advice could change and cover all but essential travel to Shanghai. In that case your travel insurance would probably pay out or Virgin would stop flying there.


I assume if you had cancelled before then because of a change of mind the cost of the flights would be lost.

ceewash

Thanks. I think I will hang on. Gov advice might change.

Westin

Virgin Atlantic are not currently offering any waivers to travel as far as I know. Perhaps keep an eye on https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/news.html - or call them to ask if there are options to reschedule or get a credit. Unless the Foreign Office here or the Chinese authorities up the travel advisory then VS are under no obligation to waiver or refund - nor is Expedia.

If Virgin were to agree to a change of dates or credit then you would have to go via Expedia as your booking agent to action. The BA connection may or may not also be an issue depending on how Expedia made the flight reservation. Expedia may also charge a fee for any change, waiver or refund.

Voyager2002

Latest news is that the corona virus (not 'flu exactly) is rather difficult to transmit from person to person, so the risk would seem to be moderate to low. Anyway: there are plenty of short and affordable flights from Shanghai to attractive destinations that are outside China, while a few hours in the airport there would be very low risk. So unless you can cancel for a refund, I suggest that you plan a visit to somewhere in the region rather than just losing your airfare.

ceewash

Just an update. Got a full refund on flights from Expedia. The carrier was BA/Virgin but I think the refund was from Virgin. Many airlines are offering refunds now, without waiting for Uk gov. Expedia so helpful. Can't wait until I can rebook.

Caz3121

BA announced Sunday their guidelines and are refunding (or rebooking) for flights up to 23rd February (that were booked before 24th Jan)
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31995760-post138.html
in case it helps anyone else....

jackieblack

ceewash wrote: »

Thanks. I think I will hang on. Gov advice might change.

Gov advice has changed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51288672

I know OP is sorted now, but it might help someone else.