Virgin Holidays Booking

kevinp31

Hi
I'm booked to go to Florida on 6th August 2020 (booked September 2019) and obviously with the current circumstances this has been thrown into chaos. My concern is that on Friday 5th June I received an email from Virgin giving me options regarding my travel plans to either confirm my current plans or reschedule for a later date. They require a decision via an online form by Monday 8th June. I have over £1000 of additional bookings (not available via Virgin) associated with the current dates and a voluntary rearrangement at this stage, without an airline cancellation, would constitute a disinclination to travel on my part resulting in forfeiture of the entire cost. In saying that should I confirm my original plans and the current FCO advice still be in place at the time of travel this would invalidate my travel insurance (bought Feb 2020). I don't see how Virgin can make such a request and effectively guarantee operation in light of the current FCO warning and closure of the USA borders to UK citizens (with no foreseeable imminent easement) and feel that they are in some way attempting to maneuver themselves out of any liability. In view of the other related potential losses, I feel obligated to confirm my current plans in the hope that should the USA border remain closed Virgin will be required to initiate the cancellation. My biggest concern is all borders being reopened but the FCO advice remaining in place which could result in a choice of either holidaying without insurance or forfeiting the entire holiday cost of £7,500. Anyone in a similar situation?
P.S. I've spent the weekend trying to contact Virgin by numerous channels without success. They simply don't appear to be responding to customer queries.

Mrsn

If you pop this post of the coronavirus travel board you might get a more specific answer to your questions. Unless a board guide could move it over?

Pollycat

Kevin, there's a coronavirus travel specific board here (just under the one you posted on):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/travel-chaos-help-info

Might be better to repost on there, especially as you have limited time to make your decision.

kevinp31

Thanks for the info. I'm unable to post to the temporary board as its showing as closed. More of a vent tbh. Not happy with the way virgin is operating but I'll confirm my plans and, as its unlikely the USA borders will open given the current situation, take the risk that they will need to cancel. Failing that I've checked with my insurance and am in a position to claim should the FCO advice remain in place.

Pollycat

The board I gave the link to is not closed.

You can start new threads.

Thanks for saying it was a vent as it will probably save people from trying to give advice when you've already made your mind up.

poppy12345

kevinp31 said:

I'm unable to post to the temporary board as its showing as closed.

I've just looked and it's not closed, i'm not sure what you're looking at. See link for the thread which is related to traveling https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/travel-chaos-help-info

Pollycat

Poppy

I looked too.

I gave the same link up-thread.

poppy12345

Pollycat said:

I gave the same link up-thread.

Yes i did notice. I can only assume the OP didn't click the link you posted, otherwise they would have seen the thread wasn't closed.

kevinp31

Hi. sorry, I was looking at the wrong board. I've reposted so hopefully may receive info from someone in a similar position (I'm sure there are many) or it may provide info that will help someone else who finds themselves unsure what to do. It was a bit of a rant but also in the hope that there may be info out there that could be helpful. It's not that I've made my mind up but more I've hit a brick wall as neither Virgin or my insurance company appear to be responding to enquiries (a busy time I expect). My gut feeling is that Virgin are attempting to shift responsibility on to customers thus avoiding potential refunds or future claims. I'm slightly annoyed that they have made a big fanfare about resuming services on 20th July when there is a good chance this will not be possible due to ongoing US restrictions. There isn't a crystal ball but indications are that borders will remain closed to UK citizens for the foreseeable future which would result in an inevitable cancellation of the trip. The difference for me, as with many I suspect, is that this would also allow a full reschedule of all associated arrangements.

littlemissbossy

If you have a look at "The Dibb" website there is lots of chat on there about this.

kevinp31

Thank you littlemissbossy, that's very useful. Much appreciated.