Courage and options required please

[Flanjam1]

Hi All, No longer a government employee thus not a FF anymore but a semi-retired couple who would love to be flying more than we are currently. Have just been notified by travel agent (yes I used one) that our PE booked and paid for flights with VA/Etihad have been changed with VA are no longer flying PE class to Europe. Our booking was for PE Syd - Abu Dhabi - then Y class (short haul) to Rome and return the same way. Etihad have now taken back all the flights bar one from VA and they don't have PE seating on the Sydney - Rome routing.
Dilemma - don't want to fly Y class to Abu Dhabi as way too old for that rubbish, hence PE booking in the 1st place. So much for early bird bookings (Aug 2015) for travel Jul 2016.
Can anyone recommend :idea: apart from large increase in $$ to upgrade to Business acronym not known Help please have appointment with agent 8/1 to 'talk' this out and I would like to be armed with options rather than sold another dump. Thanks, look forward to your informed responses

 

[sinophile888]

One option could be to purchase 3 Y seats. I think it is sometimes called a comfort seat.

My husband and I did this recently on SQ from PER to HKG and return. It worked a treat as 3 of our 4 flights were completely sold out. We booked on aircraft which had blocks of three seats, allowing me to have a window seat, my husband an aisle and an empty seat between us. The third seat was about $200 cheaper than the other two. And at least this plan would allow you to keep your same dates.

PS We are not as young as we used to be.

 

[basso]

Any options to delay travel?

 

[samh004]

I have moved this thread to "Your Questions".

One option could be to purchase 3 Y seats. I think it is sometimes called a comfort seat.

To purchase a comfort seat you generally need to contact the carrier. Reason being is that a comfort seat is generally less than the cost of a full fare, owing to taxes not being applicable as you've already paid them for the main seat. If there's a high level of tax this can then bring the second seat down to ~50% of the original. Usually this seat will also earn points, making it an attractive proposition all round.

 

[Flanjam1]

Thank you - something not suggested by agent so it will be interesting to see the response.

 

[Flanjam1]

No, as we are joining a tour which has been confirmed and also paid for.

 

[Flanjam1]

thanks sinophile888 - that's not been mentioned by the agent and an interesting and possible solution. Much appreciated.

 

[serfty]

... The third seat was about $200 cheaper than the other two. And at least this plan would allow you to keep your same dates.
...

This is because Taxes, Leveis and charges are typically not payable on 'comfort seats'.

You will need to call the airline to book. (As mentioned by Sam)

Is there any chance of getting a full refund from the Travel Agent due to these airline changes?

 

[albatross710]

I know that airlines don't work this way:

But by taking your money up front, then cancelling the plans later, they have reduced your ability to take up other advance purchase offers.

I had a similar thing two years ago, Tiger cancelled my return flight out of Cambodia with about two weeks notice. This meant that I already had in place the other connecting flights BNE-SIN-BNE, plus the inwards SIN-PNH Jetstar flight, plus all of the accom. Meant that I was then competing for the limited number of seats that day with everyone else that had been booted off Tiger.

Grrrr...airlines


Alby

 

[Flanjam1]

Love your logic serfty but agent has already indicated that only way to fix it is to upgrade. I've now given him notice that I want him to attempt to source 3 Y seats via whichever means he can so now I'm looking forward to our meeting tomorrow rather than dreading it. Thank you all so much - starting to feel a little better now I'm better armed about alternatives.

 

[serfty]

Love your logic serfty but agent has already indicated that only way to fix it is to upgrade. I've now given him notice that I want him to attempt to source 3 Y seats via whichever means he can so now I'm looking forward to our meeting tomorrow rather than dreading it. Thank you all so much - starting to feel a little better now I'm better armed about alternatives.

You may have the opportunity to educate your agent.

Here's what VA state regarding comfort seats: http://www.virginaustralia.com/cs/g...bcontent/~edisp/extra_seat_process_jul_15.pdf

Here's a link to to the VA29/VA30 Virgin Australia Re-accomodation policy: https://www.virginaustralia.com/cs/...ent/~edisp/comm_policy_777_reschedule_dec.pdf

It allows upgrade to Business for $1199 per PAX per Long Haul segment with no change fee - or a refund of $390 if accepting of Economy.

 

[Flanjam1]

Thank you - that's brilliant and just what I needed. Love your work

 

[Mattg]

You may have the opportunity to educate your agent.

Here's what VA state regarding comfort seats: http://www.virginaustralia.com/cs/g...bcontent/~edisp/extra_seat_process_jul_15.pdf

Here's a link to to the VA29/VA30 Virgin Australia Re-accomodation policy: https://www.virginaustralia.com/cs/...ent/~edisp/comm_policy_777_reschedule_dec.pdf

It allows upgrade to Business for $1199 per PAX per Long Haul segment with no change fee - or a refund of $390 if accepting of Economy.

Without a doubt, I'd pay the little bit extra and upgrade to Business class on the fight/s between Australia and Abu Dhabi.