Fully Refundable fares
Oct 6, 2008 | 11:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: VX, UA 2P
Posts: 968
Fully Refundable fares
This was bundled with the Cabin Select press release, referring to fully refundable fares:
The FAQ's have also been updated:
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
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...A55}&dist=hppr
... We have available for purchase a Main Cabin Fully Refundable fare as well.
http://virginamerica.custhelp.com/cg...i=&p_topview=1
http://virginamerica.custhelp.com/cg...i=&p_topview=1
Oct 6, 2008 | 12:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
Oct 6, 2008 | 4:11 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
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.
* 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.
Oct 6, 2008 | 4:32 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
* "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.
Oct 6, 2008 | 4:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
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!)
Oct 6, 2008 | 10:59 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
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.
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.
Oct 7, 2008 | 1:36 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: VX, UA 2P
Posts: 968
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.
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.
I like how the tickets are 'transferable'. ^
Dec 29, 2008 | 4:21 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, BD..oh, wait..
Posts: 4,045
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
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?
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
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?
Dec 29, 2008 | 5:59 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
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
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?
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
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?
Dec 29, 2008 | 3:51 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 268
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.
Dec 29, 2008 | 6:03 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,690
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.