COVID restrictions USA [Merged]

Stephnic

Two weeks ago I booked the trip of a life time for my 21 yr old daughter and me. Just 4 nights in san francisco my no.1 destination to see Stevie Nicks  my no.1 artist playing at the Chase Center on my birthday. It has cost me over £2.5k to go.  Today I found out my daughter cannot go as she is not fully  vaccinated due to a bad reaction to the first jab (she collapsed minutes after) I have 2 days to sort something out. I know this is my fault and I am really annoyed at myself.  The flight is Virgin atlantic booked with Travel Trolley via Skyscanner. Travel trolley have refused to change the name on the ticket so that I can take a friend but have said they will change dates - this makes no sense.  Virgin said they cannot override this decision.  Can anyone please help?  

molerat

Categories of noncitizen nonimmigrants that meet the criteria for an exception under the Proclamation and CDC’s Amended Order include:

• Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html

Stephnic

molerat

Thank you for your response.  This is undocumented and I have no proof that this happened. I have 2 day and could probably not get this documented in time for the flight.  The biggest issue is that the company are refusing to change the passenger.

Stephnic

Two weeks ago I booked the trip of a life time for my 21 yr old daughter and me. Just 4 nights in san francisco my no.1 destination to see Stevie Nicks  my no.1 artist playing at the Chase Center on my birthday. It has cost me over £2.5k to go.  Today I found out my daughter cannot go as she is not fully  vaccinated due to a bad reaction to the first jab (she collapsed minutes after) I have 2 days to sort something out. I know this is my fault and I am really annoyed at myself.  The flight is Virgin atlantic booked with Travel Trolley via Skyscanner. Travel trolley have refused to change the name on the ticket so that I can take a friend but have said they will change dates - this makes no sense.  Virgin said they cannot override this decision.  Can anyone please help?  

Sarahspangles

When you say ‘undocumented’ did this collapse happen while your daughter was at the vaccination site?  If so it should be recorded in her notes and GP will be able to see this.  Fainting on its own may not be accepted as sufficient medical grounds not to complete a course of vaccination.

If your daughter may want to travel to the US, or a few other countries which require vaccination, then she may want to note that from the end of June the NHS won’t offer this to healthy younger people.  If she’s anxious about the jab, she could request to stay for observation afterwards.  

Stephnic

It was at a site.  I will try to contact the gp tomorrow to find out if they have any record.  I don’t think this will be acceptable as a medical exemption.  She has very severe anxiety with adhd and possible autism and is unlikely to have the jab.  I think it is a lost cause really and the money will be wasted.  I have seen reviews for the agent, I booked via skyscanner, it looks like the company are very unhelpful in any situation.

soolin

Have you looked into the exemptions for vaccinations? We don’t know your exact circumstances and I suspect time is against you, but there is this 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html

• Persons with documented medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine

Otherwise you are reliant on the goodwill of the third party agent. 

bagand96

The reason the agent won't change the name of the ticket is that Virgin Atlantic T&C's don't allow it:

How to correct or change a name on your ticket.

Tickets cannot be transfered to other people

You will not be able to transfer your ticket to another person by completely changing the name, as tickets can't be transferred. You'll need to buy a new ticket.

Full details here: Changing your name on the ticket | Security | Virgin Atlantic help centre

Unless the exemption is an option as pointed out above then your only other options are a friend willing to buy a new flight ticket to join you or going on your own.

Caz3121

Stephnic said:

The biggest issue is that the company are refusing to change the passenger.

Virgin Atlantic like the majority of full service airlines do not allow name changes
https://help.virginatlantic.com/eu/en/security/name-change.html

Tickets cannot be transfered to other people

You will not be able to transfer your ticket to another person by completely changing the name, as tickets can't be transferred. You'll need to buy a new ticket.

same would have applied if the flights had been with British Airways, American Airlines, United etc. Name changes are common for low cost carriers (EasyJet, Ryanair etc) but the only non low cost carrier I have seen that allows name changes is Aer Lingus

silvercar

I wonder if the thought of a holiday would be enough for her to be vaccinated? 

Fainting after a vaccine is not terribly rare, particularly in young people who tend to work themselves up beforehand and have not eaten. At one point we used to issue lollipops to this age group to at least get some sugar in them.

Brie

I'm not suggesting that anyone should lie but how would they know if someone is vaccinated?  I traveled to Canada a few months back and nothing was said anywhere on the airline sight or elsewhere about needing proof of anything.  OK - different country and different airline but still!!  And the little card I have (or had) with my vaccine details was so low tech anyone could have forged it.