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Sorry, it’s a long read – best way to cancel Virgin flights we can’t use?
We sadly have to cancel our Feb half-term trip to LA, as my father has just been diagnosed with multiple cancers with a fairly short prognosis, and we’re the only people who can look after my mum with dementia (care not an option at the moment), so travelling anywhere soon isn’t going to be an option, and longer term I’m not sure what will happen either.
The flights were well-priced at £4150 return for 4 people in Upper on peak half-term Saturdays, as we paid PE and used upgrade vouchers that were given to us by Virgin because we made a rebooking rather than taking a refund when they cancelled. I haven’t managed to get hold of Virgin to confirm what would happen to the vouchers if we cancel.
It appears that I can cancel and rebook (but struggling very much to find any dates – nothing has availability in PE at a reasonable price with Upper reward seats, and not sure about ability to travel this year anyway) and even their economy seats are astronomical prices for any school hol dates. I could take a voucher for the full value but again might struggle to use it by April 2023.
I see there’s also an option to change names free. I don’t know if it’s possible to sell the tickets on at cost price to someone else, and no idea where – ebay doesn’t seem promising!
The other option is travel insurance. I think we should be covered if we just cancelled but I can’t find out for sure until after cancelling and submitting the paperwork, which I obviously don’t want to do in case they decline it! My worry would be that they say I could have cancelled for a voucher so they won’t pay out. And if I take a rebooking/voucher, not sure the insurance would cover into the future. Can’t get hold of them either to ask questions.
Anyone got any opinions or suggestions of what option might be best? We’re so stressed with everything that’s going on right now, and I’m not necessarily thinking straight!
- This topic was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
I’m so sorry to read this. Awful situation for you to deal with, I would contact Virgin and explain your circumstances. I think you will be given some leniency given the circumstances particularly having to care for your mum.
I also think your travel insurance would cover this scenario particularly on the reason that you will have to care for your mum while your dad has treatment. My father had vascular dementia so I know how distressing that is without the cancer diagnosis on top.
I wish I could wave a magic wand and make this all right for you.
If you want a shoulder to cry on I’m here or just want to talk nonsense I’m here. Willing to share my mobile and email address if it helps.
Hugs
Sorry to hear your news SammyJ and wishing you well in making the best possible arrangements for both your parents.
Is it possible to write to your insurer explaining your predicament and asking whether you will be covered for your loss in such a situation and get a written reply? Obviously their indicative reply is not a legally binding contract but if it is positive then it would be pretty difficult – in fact near impossible – to then go on to refuse a claim – particularly if that decision was contested.
Secondly contact Virgin and explain your circumstances (importantly – to a supervisor) and see if they can offer any solution. It’s sometimes surprising how far simply asking nicely will get you in various situations as long as you are talking to someone with authority to make decisions…
Other than that, it’s a process of gathering information at this stage – mainly from Virgin regarding what would happen to vouchers etc in the event of cancellation or rebookings so you can make the best decision. If the price you paid is exceptional then you are unlikely to match it, so part of your decision-making process should be whether you are prepared to throw a little more money at having the same trip at a later date.
Good luck!
- This reply was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
I’m so sorry to read this. Awful situation for you to deal with, I would contact Virgin and explain your circumstances. I think you will be given some leniency given the circumstances particularly having to care for your mum.
I also think your travel insurance would cover this scenario particularly on the reason that you will have to care for your mum while your dad has treatment. My father had vascular dementia so I know how distressing that is without the cancer diagnosis on top.
I wish I could wave a magic wand and make this all right for you.
If you want a shoulder to cry on I’m here or just want to talk nonsense I’m here. Willing to share my mobile and email address if it helps.
Hugs
Thank you, appreciate it. To be honest the effort it takes to talk or even think about it all is half the battle. We’ve had a call to say they’re discharging him today, there won’t be any nursing or care help provided at home, so we have to work it out for ourselves, so that’s me & hubby who both have full time jobs and 2 kids, also now additionally employed as full-time carers.
It’s sapping the energy from me just thinking about it all, never mind dealing with the various call queues! I’ll ring Virgin first and see what they say. We’ve got another 2 trips already booked this year – not even thinking about that yet!
Sorry to hear your news SammyJ and wishing you well in making the best possible arrangements for both your parents.
Is it possible to write to your insurer explaining your predicament and asking whether you will be covered for your loss in such a situation and get a written reply? Obviously their indicative reply is not a legally binding contract but if it is positive then it would be pretty difficult – in fact near impossible – to then go on to refuse a claim – particularly if that decision was contested.
Secondly contact Virgin and explain your circumstances (importantly – to a supervisor) and see if they can offer any solution. It’s sometimes surprising how far simply asking nicely will get you in various situations as long as you are talking to someone with authority to make decisions…
Other than that, it’s a process of gathering information at this stage – mainly from Virgin regarding what would happen to vouchers etc in the event of cancellation or rebookings so you can make the best decision. If the price you paid is exceptional then you are unlikely to match it, so part of your decision-making process should be whether you are prepared to throw a little more money at having the same trip at a later date.
Good luck!
Thanks, that’s a good idea about getting the insurer to try and almost-commit in writing. I already have an email from them, as I submitted an initial claim yesterday, requesting all sorts of paperwork, so I’ll reply to that and see what they say.
I’ll try Virgin first, it would be a shame to lose such a good price but we have far worse things to deal with so I can live with that, but obviously prefer not to lose the £4k! We’ve already got future flights booked for all trips up to the end of this year plus 2 banked BA 241 vouchers, so for the first time ever I can’t see any way of booking/using any sort of credits. Crazy how life and priorities can change so much overnight!
I’d not worry about the 2 other holidays, they are a minor worry right now. Concentrate on sorting out the first one. If you need any help with how to respond or what to include or not just ask. Here to help in any way I can. Good luck!
We sadly have to cancel our Feb half-term trip to LA, as my father has just been diagnosed with multiple cancers with a fairly short prognosis, and we’re the only people who can look after my mum with dementia
If you have the paperwork that supports this, Virgin may be amenable to an out of policy change or refund. I’ve no experience of doing this with Virgin, but other airlines have in the past for friends in similar circumstances. I’d ask them directly before going to insurance.
Thanks, I think Virgin are the way to go first, it’s just getting through to them that’s difficult – I gave it a try yesterday but couldn’t hang on long enough.
Off work until 4 today so I’ll give it a try again, between the various care visits!!
Sorry to hear about this @sammyj. If you still cannot get through, try ringing 7am when the call centre opens as I got through straight away today.
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