Fees - International Bookings

[TheCityLane]

I booked some flights to Japan the other day and was quite disappointed with the service fees. $60 per person for the booking on top of the usual fees and charges because I booked via the telephone. The thing is, it's not possible to make many of the international bookings online!

One of the legs is i J class. Called to change the date (again, unable to do so online) and was slugged a further $120! ($60pp).

The service was great but being slugged the service fee for something simple using the only option available to me initially and then again is pretty poor IMHO.

 

[TomVexille]

Is this a velocity rewards booking? If so, I'm pretty sure you shouldn't have been charged the phone booking fee since it can't be booked on the website. I booked SIN-BNE-MEL earlier this year. The SIN-BNE leg had no fee attached, and the kind agent waived the fee for the BNE-MEL leg as it was connecting from an Intl flight.

 

[TheCityLane]

Not a rewards booking. Just heard back. Should have only been charged 1x$60 fee so am being credited.

Still disappointing as impossible to book online but reduces the sting somewhat.

 

[notzac]

Can only recommend that you book revenue flights that the website is incapable of displaying via another OTA such as Expedia. You'll get the same price and you won't pay any booking fees (though I don't know about change fees).

 

[TheCityLane]

Good idea. I didn't realise that when it comes to non website bookings using Virgin is just the same as using any agent really.

 

[anat0l]

I didn't know that Virgin can make international cash bookings on the phone that can't be seen online. I know this is often a necessity for award bookings (of which the fee has been quoted, including credit card surcharge if the total payable exceeds $50), but I haven't heard of cash bookings done this way.

As notzac said, booking through an online travel agent would be the better way to circumvent this.

 

[erkpod]

Circle Pacific & RTW tickets can't be booked online either. Multi-city tickets aren't the best either online via the VA site.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I didn't know that Virgin can make international cash bookings on the phone that can't be seen online.

BNE/SYD-MLE are two I've searched recently which cannot be booked on line (every date returns "unavailable") whereas the GCC can certainly do it with both Etihad and Singapore. It is a VA destination via partner airlines.

 

[anat0l]

BNE/SYD-MLE are two I've searched recently which cannot be booked on line (every date returns "unavailable") whereas the GCC can certainly do it with both Etihad and Singapore. It is a VA destination via partner airlines.

The only advantages I can see in booking with VA in such cases would be either to get the VA code (or VA stock) on your flights, and possibly cheaper than just booking with the SQ website. Or, as mentioned, with an OTA.

 

[TheCityLane]

Mine was PER -> KIX (via MEL and SIN) and NRT -> MEL (via SIN).