Change saver to flexi fare

[dantab]

Has anyone been successful in getting Virgin to wave the $80 change fee when wanting to upgrade a saver fare to a flexi fare for the same flight? The change fee seems a bit rich in these circumstances as they are getting extra money from you for the fare difference and you're not actually changing your flight.

The reason I want to upgrade fares is that work only books saver fares but I need a flexi fare so I can use the complementary platinum business class upgrades.

 

[jmphoto]

I've always called just after booking the saver and upgrading to flexi. I've never been charged.

 

[dantab]

I've always called just after booking the saver and upgrading to flexi. I've never been charged.

The person I spoke to from the call center was pretty addiment that they don't do this and wasn't prepared to waive the fee.

 

[Moopere]

I suspect it would be a free upgrade, at least no change fee, if the ticket hasn't yet actually been 'ticketed'... so, booking made but ticket not issued. I've done this before with Amex. They will tell you on the phone that if you call back to change your ticket before end of business same day they can change or even cancel (I think) for free. After ticketing there is a charge (this might be limited to Amex bookings)

As for the why of it .. I have a really really vague recollection that this used to be free, but folks who were going to miss their saver fare flights were ringing up to change to flexi to 'save' their otherwise lost ticket value - I might be completely off base, cant 100% remember, but I think there was some chatter about this a few years back. If I'm right the fee now imposed was meant to discourage this behavior.

 

[Mattg]

As for the why of it .. I have a really really vague recollection that this used to be free, but folks who were going to miss their saver fare flights were ringing up to change to flexi to 'save' their otherwise lost ticket value - I might be completely off base, cant 100% remember, but I think there was some chatter about this a few years back. If I'm right the fee now imposed was meant to discourage this behavior.

If this is true, why wouldn't they just make it an $80 fee to change within 24 hours of the flight departing? Clearly a change made weeks or months out does not fall into this category.

 

[jmphoto]

The person I spoke to from the call center was pretty addiment that they don't do this and wasn't prepared to waive the fee.

From the OP stating you wanted to use complimentary upgrades I assume you're WP so I am surprised that you hit this roadblock. When did you make the booking, was it within 24 hours? Worst case, I'd pay the $80 - it's not like you paid for the flight, and that's a cheap J seat...

 

[dantab]

From the OP stating you wanted to use complimentary upgrades I assume you're WP so I am surprised that you hit this roadblock. When did you make the booking, was it within 24 hours? Worst case, I'd pay the $80 - it's not like you paid for the flight, and that's a cheap J seat...

It was some time after the booking (months) but the flight is still a month away. Yes - I will pay the $80 but it's about the principle...

 

[jmphoto]

It was some time after the booking (months) but the flight is still a month away. Yes - I will pay the $80 but it's about the principle...

Sounds like it may be worth clarifying for future readers of the thread; evidence is that if you ring straight after booking then fee may be waived. Any later than 24 hours and it won't​ be waived.

 

[Muppet501st]

I've tried, but not been able to have it waived. Both when ive booked my own travel, and thru work SERKO Corporate Traveller.

 

[dcauson]

I have successfully done this twice without paying the $80 fee for the purposes of upgrading. Also changed the date one of these times.

But did get stung a couple of weeks ago when I did it. But also changed the routing and date on that one so probably fair enough...