Adding Car Hire gave big discount on flight but don't need car
Feb 20, 2012, 11:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Worcester
Programs: BA Silver, HH Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 197
Adding Car Hire gave big discount on flight but don't need car
Booked a flight today for work to Vegas (shame it's work I know).
But what surprised me the most was the headline price of £3.2K came down to £1.3K when I added a hire car. Now that's a massive price cut!! T class versus W tickets but hey it's a big discount.
Now the question though. The travel agent has advised me to pickup the car as I may be charged the full ticket price if I don't. This seems unlikely to me as I can't see anything in the t&c's that allow for this? Anyone had an experience with not picking up a car?
Really don't need a car in Vegas as I'm staying four days in a hotel and won't leave it, so I want to avoid the inconvenience of picking it up.
But what surprised me the most was the headline price of £3.2K came down to £1.3K when I added a hire car. Now that's a massive price cut!! T class versus W tickets but hey it's a big discount.
Now the question though. The travel agent has advised me to pickup the car as I may be charged the full ticket price if I don't. This seems unlikely to me as I can't see anything in the t&c's that allow for this? Anyone had an experience with not picking up a car?
Really don't need a car in Vegas as I'm staying four days in a hotel and won't leave it, so I want to avoid the inconvenience of picking it up.
Feb 20, 2012, 12:04 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
) then return it 
At least you used the car hire.
Feb 20, 2012, 12:13 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Worcester
Programs: BA Silver, HH Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 197
I know, but I would still rather spend 15 minutes in a cab then 45 to an hour sorting out a car. Plus my driving is bad enough at home, never mind after a long flight.
Feb 20, 2012, 12:17 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 411
Booked a flight today for work to Vegas (shame it's work I know).
But what surprised me the most was the headline price of £3.2K came down to £1.3K when I added a hire car. Now that's a massive price cut!! T class versus W tickets but hey it's a big discount.
Now the question though. The travel agent has advised me to pickup the car as I may be charged the full ticket price if I don't. This seems unlikely to me as I can't see anything in the t&c's that allow for this? Anyone had an experience with not picking up a car?
Really don't need a car in Vegas as I'm staying four days in a hotel and won't leave it, so I want to avoid the inconvenience of picking it up.
But what surprised me the most was the headline price of £3.2K came down to £1.3K when I added a hire car. Now that's a massive price cut!! T class versus W tickets but hey it's a big discount.
Now the question though. The travel agent has advised me to pickup the car as I may be charged the full ticket price if I don't. This seems unlikely to me as I can't see anything in the t&c's that allow for this? Anyone had an experience with not picking up a car?
Really don't need a car in Vegas as I'm staying four days in a hotel and won't leave it, so I want to avoid the inconvenience of picking it up.
Or, worst case, go pick up the car and tell them you'd like to return it immediately.
Whatever you decide do, enjoy the trip!
Feb 20, 2012, 3:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Near Edinburgh
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 9,034
Feb 20, 2012, 5:13 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: England
Programs: Mucci! (and BA Gold, HH Dia etc.)
Posts: 427
I didnt hear of this before. Is it just TA flights or any destination? Is this for bookings made with BA over the phone? I am really curious about this one - please enlighten me !!!
Feb 20, 2012, 7:06 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,856
I agree that it sounds unlikely that you would be charged extra for failing to collect the hire car. And considering that you don't see any such requirement in the contract, I think you're in the clear.
I've taken advantage of such discounts for many years and have never picked up the car or used the hotel. I have never heard of any such requirement and I've never had any negative consequences.
Perhaps the TA is wary as this scenario vaguely resembles hidden city ticketing, and the TA is concerned about being liable if the entire booking is not used…
I've taken advantage of such discounts for many years and have never picked up the car or used the hotel. I have never heard of any such requirement and I've never had any negative consequences.
Perhaps the TA is wary as this scenario vaguely resembles hidden city ticketing, and the TA is concerned about being liable if the entire booking is not used…
Feb 21, 2012, 4:02 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Worcester
Programs: BA Silver, HH Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 197
Thanks for all the feedback!
Decided to check with BA so that I don't take any chances. Apparently I'm ok with not collecting the car, but I mustn't cancel it. If you cancel any part of a package deal like this they will charge you the FULL price.
Decided to check with BA so that I don't take any chances. Apparently I'm ok with not collecting the car, but I mustn't cancel it. If you cancel any part of a package deal like this they will charge you the FULL price.
Feb 21, 2012, 4:28 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ealing
Programs: Usual Amex Cent. GGL.
Posts: 1,508
Virgin Holidays got wise to this about a year or so ago and no longer allow you to book fly drives on line. They insist you call so they can discuss your "holiday plans" "because we've had business people do this just to get cheap fares"... well d'uh...
Feb 21, 2012, 4:49 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 3,001
This has been bubbling under the surface for years. I can't help but feel that misuse of IT fares is the next thing that airlines will get strict on.
Well, I say airlines, but I really mean 'BA', as other airlines get strict on it (i've seen a certain SE Asian airline getting ballistic over it
). Didn't realise that VS has already taken steps...
But at the moment, if you don't pick up the car (as opposed to cancel it) I have no idea how you could be taken to task for it. However, there are lots of advantages as people have said to having a car in Vegas. Could you not pick it up the following day from the airport? I also can't stand driving after a long haul. A bad experience at LAX put paid to that, closely followed by driving to Drakensburg from JNB after no sleep in Y.
Well, I say airlines, but I really mean 'BA', as other airlines get strict on it (i've seen a certain SE Asian airline getting ballistic over it
). Didn't realise that VS has already taken steps...But at the moment, if you don't pick up the car (as opposed to cancel it) I have no idea how you could be taken to task for it. However, there are lots of advantages as people have said to having a car in Vegas. Could you not pick it up the following day from the airport? I also can't stand driving after a long haul. A bad experience at LAX put paid to that, closely followed by driving to Drakensburg from JNB after no sleep in Y.