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-   -   Fully Refundable fares (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/virgin-america-elevate-pre-2018/873338-fully-refundable-fares.html)

nermaljcat Oct 6, 2008 11:53 am

Fully Refundable fares
 
This was bundled with the Cabin Select press release, referring to fully refundable fares:


Virgin America, the California-based airline on a mission to make flying good again, today announced the availability of two new travel options -- "Main Cabin Select" service and the introduction of fully refundable fares.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...A55}&dist=hppr
The FAQ's have also been updated:


... We have available for purchase a Main Cabin Fully Refundable fare as well.

http://virginamerica.custhelp.com/cg...i=&p_topview=1

aviators99 Oct 6, 2008 12:16 pm


Originally Posted by nermaljcat (Post 10478355)
This was bundled with the Cabin Select press release, referring to fully refundable fares:



The FAQ's have also been updated:

Hmm...I don't see anything on the reservation system that allows you to do that???

nermaljcat Oct 6, 2008 12:21 pm


Originally Posted by aviators99 (Post 10478461)
Hmm...I don't see anything on the reservation system that allows you to do that???

Neither did I... just the FAQ's and the press release.

rjque Oct 6, 2008 1:16 pm

This is great news. VX is now an option for me.

aviators99 Oct 6, 2008 4:11 pm

More info, and press release correction
 
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...0%7D&dist=hppr


Fully refundable fares are only available via the Virgin America call center at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474) or through travel managers and agencies. The previous release noted that fully refundable fares were available through the Virgin America Web site ( www.virginamerica.com), which is incorrect.

Virgin America's fully refundable fares apply to one-way main cabin fares and provide the following options:


* Fully refundable up to time of departure;
* Transferable with name changes up to time of departure;
* Changes or cancellations are permitted without a fee until the
time of departure, with the difference in fares either collected
or refunded;
* No blackout dates;
* No minimum or maximum stay requirements (as with all Virgin
America fares);
* No advanced purchase required;
* "No shows," or reservations not changed or cancelled prior to
departure, will be turned into a credit valid for travel on Virgin
America for one year from the date of issuance.

eponymous_coward Oct 6, 2008 4:18 pm

So Y is refundable, F is not? That's kind of weird, but OK...

sbm12 Oct 6, 2008 4:32 pm


* "No shows," or reservations not changed or cancelled prior to departure, will be turned into a credit valid for travel on Virgin America for one year from the date of issuance.
This is strange. And not in the favor of passengers at all.

aviators99 Oct 6, 2008 4:51 pm


Originally Posted by sbm12 (Post 10479589)
This is strange. And not in the favor of passengers at all.

I think you're misunderstanding. You must cancel the reservation prior to the scheduled departure time, or you can't get a refund and instead get a credit. I believe that most of the other airlines have the same policy or worse (worse being that you lose the money and don't even get a credit!)

aviators99 Oct 6, 2008 10:59 pm

Okay, this is weird...

This new "refundable" fare is actually the *same price* as the current Y fare. The only difference is that you can't book it online. The MCS fare (which is substantially higher) is non-refundable and incurs a fee when changed or made into a credit, and the even higher F fare (but sometimes cheaper) is still non-refundable, but changeable and made into a credit without a fee.

nermaljcat Oct 7, 2008 1:36 am


Originally Posted by aviators99 (Post 10481155)
Okay, this is weird...

This new "refundable" fare is actually the *same price* as the current Y fare. The only difference is that you can't book it online. The MCS fare (which is substantially higher) is non-refundable and incurs a fee when changed or made into a credit, and the even higher F fare (but sometimes cheaper) is still non-refundable, but changeable and made into a credit without a fee.

That is strange... I wonder if you can book a 'fully refundable' F fare through a travel agent or by phone?

I like how the tickets are 'transferable'. ^

colmc Dec 29, 2008 4:21 am

Sorry to drag this up - but has anyone tried this? Have they still to be booked by phone?

FAQ's aren't all that clear on this. Looking at an F class flight that I *may* need, but may need to cancel. Could just book at a throw-away Y, but would rather do a transcon in F :D

However, as I'm a pretty infrequent VX flyer (being based outside the US), VX credit isn't much use to me. So - my question, if I want an F class fare, that can be cancelled and refunded to my credit card, do I still have to purchase by phone and does it tend to be more expensive than doing the online F class flight?

aviators99 Dec 29, 2008 5:59 am


Originally Posted by colmc (Post 10976495)
Sorry to drag this up - but has anyone tried this? Have they still to be booked by phone?

FAQ's aren't all that clear on this. Looking at an F class flight that I *may* need, but may need to cancel. Could just book at a throw-away Y, but would rather do a transcon in F :D

However, as I'm a pretty infrequent VX flyer (being based outside the US), VX credit isn't much use to me. So - my question, if I want an F class fare, that can be cancelled and refunded to my credit card, do I still have to purchase by phone and does it tend to be more expensive than doing the online F class flight?

There is no F fare that can be refunded to your credit card. Only the fully refundable Y fare that is discussed in this thread. You can only book it over the phone.

colmc Dec 29, 2008 7:39 am

Uurggh, that is a bit weird! Not good at all on VX's part!

articos Dec 29, 2008 3:51 pm


Originally Posted by colmc (Post 10977017)
Uurggh, that is a bit weird! Not good at all on VX's part!

What you can do is book the fully refundable Y, then as it gets closer if you know you're going to fly it, just upgrade it to F. That way you have the flexibility until the last minute, as long as the F seats are available. Upgrade meaning either just buy-up to the F fare which would then become non-refundable if you know you're going to fly, or use the $250 24 hr upgrades.

rjque Dec 29, 2008 6:03 pm


Originally Posted by articos (Post 10979606)
What you can do is book the fully refundable Y, then as it gets closer if you know you're going to fly it, just upgrade it to F. That way you have the flexibility until the last minute, as long as the F seats are available. Upgrade meaning either just buy-up to the F fare which would then become non-refundable if you know you're going to fly, or use the $250 24 hr upgrades.

Or just book on any one of the numerous other airlines that will happily sell a refundable F fare.


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