What happens to ITA Airway award bookings?
Aug 2, 2023 | 3:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 8
What happens to ITA Airway award bookings?
Now that ITA Airways is poised to join Star Alliance (some time in the future), does anyone know if Virgin would still manage existing award bookings on ITA?
I understand no one really knows but curious if there's been similar situations with other airlines where this has happened. I'm planning on booking a flight to Rome next Spring and I'm wondering if my flight were cancelled or changed, would Virgin open up seats on their planes to get me there? Or would they simply refund the points?
I understand no one really knows but curious if there's been similar situations with other airlines where this has happened. I'm planning on booking a flight to Rome next Spring and I'm wondering if my flight were cancelled or changed, would Virgin open up seats on their planes to get me there? Or would they simply refund the points?
Aug 4, 2023 | 5:50 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: IB+ Gold, TK E+, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, IHG Diamond
Posts: 13,372
Assuming the awards are ticketed, it won't matter if ITA changes alliances.
However, if ITA then cancels your flight, you are totally at the mercy of Flying Club. Hopefully they would try to get you to Rome on Air France or KLM. They wouldn't route you via London because they don't offer London to Rome flights.
However, if ITA then cancels your flight, you are totally at the mercy of Flying Club. Hopefully they would try to get you to Rome on Air France or KLM. They wouldn't route you via London because they don't offer London to Rome flights.
Aug 5, 2023 | 9:17 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: IB+ Gold, TK E+, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, IHG Diamond
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Partner FFPs usually moan about there being no award space available on alternative flights - and therefore offer a full refund. The real world alternatives usually end up being:
- Pestering the FFP to offer an alternative
- Making alternative arrangements yourself and suing ITA for reimbursement
Aug 5, 2023 | 4:35 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 8
That might be how it works in theory, but in practice it doesn't work that way with partner award bookings cancelled well in advance. ITA will simply say that it's not their ticket.
Partner FFPs usually moan about there being no award space available on alternative flights - and therefore offer a full refund. The real world alternatives usually end up being:
Partner FFPs usually moan about there being no award space available on alternative flights - and therefore offer a full refund. The real world alternatives usually end up being:
- Pestering the FFP to offer an alternative
- Making alternative arrangements yourself and suing ITA for reimbursement
Thanks everyone! Will weigh the risks...
Aug 5, 2023 | 4:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: TXL
Programs: US, LH, HH
Posts: 741
Aug 8, 2023 | 3:37 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: TXL
Programs: US, LH, HH
Posts: 741
I have no knowledge, but ITA might have their own reservation code you'd have to request from the Virgin hotline. Looks to me that ITA only allows check-in, but not managing your flight via ticket number.
Aug 8, 2023 | 5:08 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Preferably waiting for takeoff
Programs: AA EXP, MVPG, DL Silver, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 460
Called VS Customer Service for my flight next May, they had and furnished myself with ITA's proper PRN. It was the only way I could log into ITA and select seats.
Oct 4, 2023 | 8:36 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 121
Yeah, this flight is far in the future, and I believe EU 261 only covers if it's T-14 days from departure. Sadly, I have a feeling ITA will likely change or cancel the flight entirely, so wanted to have a clear plan B before booking. For some reason, I thought VS flew to Rome, so they would open seats up on their own plane. Alas. I also suspect it'll be nearly impossible to have them offer alternatives on partners KLM or CDG as those two airlines rarely have saver awards--much less during peakish season for two.
Thanks everyone! Will weigh the risks...
Thanks everyone! Will weigh the risks...
May you keep us update about this booking? if next year ITA does cancel it or not
thanks