Free cancellation within 24hrs of booking flights?

[blueythecat]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if VA allows free refunds within 24hrs of booking or at least up until 11:59pm on the day of booking?

I know US airlines allow this and I think Qantas does too, but I'm not sure about VA.

Thanks in advance.

 

[strezza]

I'm not sure about the airline direct, but I'm an agent and I can void a same-day ticket until 23:59 - VA included.

 

[get me outta here]

What about the fares booked that say, 'absolutely no changes whatsoever'?

 

[TomVexille]

If you are flying to or from the USA there is a 24 hour free cancellation policy on all fares. Didn't see anything else about other destinations.

 

[blueythecat]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm not sure about the airline direct, but I'm an agent and I can void a same-day ticket until 23:59 - VA included.

Good tip might give a TA a go. Do you know if you can hold VA J seats for the day too (whilst plans are finalised)?

 

[strezza]

What about the fares booked that say, 'absolutely no changes whatsoever'?

Yes. Even them.

 

[strezza]

Thanks for all the replies.



Good tip might give a TA a go. Do you know if you can hold VA J seats for the day too (whilst plans are finalised)?

Yes definitely - if within the validity of the ticketing time limit. Feel free to PM me if you need any help.

 

[VulpesVulpes]

Can also confirm that you can void a ticket before midnight if you booked via an agent, even if that flight has been ticketed.

VA could do the same, the question is IF they would void the ticket for you.

 

[blueythecat]

Can also confirm that you can void a ticket before midnight if you booked via an agent, even if that flight has been ticketed.

VA could do the same, the question is IF they would void the ticket for you.

Brilliant, thanks.

 

[medhead]

FYI, the Qantas rule is same day cancelation, not 24 hours.
Can't see anything similar for VA.

 

[blueythecat]

FYI, the Qantas rule is same day cancelation, not 24 hours.
Can't see anything similar for VA.

A good point indeed, hence the "11:59pm on the day of booking" in my OP, and it is a good reference for anyone else in the same dilemma. I've moved away from flying exclusively Qantas, as they've made enhancement[SUP]TM[/SUP] after enhancement[SUP]TM[/SUP] and made everything simpler[SUP]TM[/SUP], but credit where credit is due, they seem to be ahead of VA on this one.

VA should really think about a similar policy, as mistakes can happen when making a booking.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for all the replies.


Good tip might give a TA a go. Do you know if you can hold VA J seats for the day too (whilst plans are finalised)?

A good TA can do all sorts of things, if you have a decent relationship with them. If I book a good fare on a flight some way off, but with payment required, say within a few weeks of booking, my TA will monitor the availability of the sale fare/seat on the flight and keep rolling the booking forward and not ticket it until it really has to be done - sometimes delaying payment by months.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

A good TA can do all sorts of things, if you have a decent relationship with them. If I book a good fare on a flight some way off, but with payment required, say within a few weeks of booking, my TA will monitor the availability of the sale fare/seat on the flight and keep rolling the booking forward and not ticket it until it really has to be done - sometimes delaying payment by months.

Sounds like a keeper you have there RooFlyer! Where I do find one of these?

 

[williamsf1]

The 24Hour rule applies to bookings to and from the USA only

Form the DOT -

This notice provides guidance to U.S. and foreign air carriers regarding compliance with the customer service rule that requires carriers to hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be cancelled within 24 hours without penalty (the "24-hour reservation requirement"). The 24-hour reservation requirement is mandated by the Department of Transportation’s consumer rule "Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections" (14 CFR 259.5(b)(4), 76 Fed. Reg. 23110, 23166, Apr. 25, 2011) and applies to all reservations made seven days or more prior to the flight’s scheduled departure time.1 To comply with the regulation, carriers may not deceive consumers about the 24-hour reservation requirement when consumers inquire about cancelling or changing a reservation within 24 hours of making or paying for that reservation. This guidance also clarifies that the Department’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (Enforcement Office) considers the failure to notify such consumers of the 24-hour reservation requirement to be unfair and deceptive in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 41712. It also considers the failure to offer a passenger a full refund in the original form of payment in the event of a cancellation request covered by the 24-hour reservation requirement to be an unfair and deceptive practice.

 

[blueythecat]

The 24Hour rule applies to bookings to and from the USA only

Totally agree, it is certainly my understand though that Qantas offers free same day cancellation to matter of your destination (happy to be proven wrong though if that is the case).

 

[medhead]

I read it as a question in the OP, with 2 options. Just clarifying for those following at home.

I can't see VA adopting a similar rule, given that they take away all flexibility from bookings once you check in. They are much more restrictive in that regard.

A good point indeed, hence the "11:59pm on the day of booking" in my OP, and it is a good reference for anyone else in the same dilemma. I've moved away from flying exclusively Qantas, as they've made enhancement[SUP]TM[/SUP] after enhancement[SUP]TM[/SUP] and made everything simpler[SUP]TM[/SUP], but credit where credit is due, they seem to be ahead of VA on this one.

VA should really think about a similar policy, as mistakes can happen when making a booking.

 

[Spacetravel]

Can confirm on 3 separate occasions when I've miss booked a fare/ had to change plans soon after. Even when calling velocity plat line, they would not assist and would only let me do it with the provided cancellation/ change fees. I even tried within 15 minutes of a booking!

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Can confirm on 3 separate occasions when I've miss booked a fare/ had to change plans soon after. Even when calling velocity plat line, they would not assist and would only let me do it with the provided cancellation/ change fees. I even tried within 15 minutes of a booking!

Wow. What generous souls.

I know it's within their rights, but as a WP and calling only 15 minutes later... that's rough.

 

[JohnK]

Totally agree, it is certainly my understand though that Qantas offers free same day cancellation to matter of your destination (happy to be proven wrong though if that is the case).

In my experience Qantas offers changes/cancellation to any destination until 23:59 on the day of booking.

 

[deva22]

Air Canada offers such a cancellation (up to 24hrs) on flights to Canada from Aus.