Non refundable ticket Virgin Blue

[consumer]

A family member bought a non-refundable ticket to sydney for new years. But they can not come, is there anything he can do?

 

[dajop]

Well it really depends on how much he paid for the ticket.

Basically if <$55 forget it and forfeit the fare. If >$55 the fare can be cancelled and the fare amount (minus $40 change fee + $15extra for booking through call centre) can be used as credit towards another fare.

But simplest way of finding this all out is to call Virgin Blue - 13 67 89 or look at their website.

 

[consumer]

can you use the credit to pay for other people's tickets or just in your name only?

multiple tickets?

 

[bambbbam2]

In theory, one could use online check-in, and if having no baggage could go direct to the gate and fly.

 

[UP4014]

Previously I bought a discount DJ ticket for my GF, then she could make the trip, a credit was raised and 6 months later I re booked a different cheaper flight fo two other different people.

I'm not a DJ flyer, so not sure if it was the cheapest ticket I bought originally but it did have non refundable conditions, like a small booking fee. As already indicated, if a really cheap ticket you've lost out but that's the risk management you take when going for that type of fare.

The credit will be issued against the credit card holders name if different from the passenger so the CC holder will need to make the call.

 

[Travel Guru]

With Virgin and changes you'll find with the introduction of GO Fares, it's changed it somewhat.

GO Fares - non refundable, non transferable, can be changed up to 24 hours before to another date, but I believe it can't be rebooked onto a different routing

BLUE SAVER Fares - Non refunable, can be cancelled and put into credit for up to 12 months. The credit can be used for anyone (and can even be sold) as it's the record locator you'll need to use it (and password if attached to one).
Fare can be rerouted.

Hope that helps.

TG

 

[clifford]

In theory, one could use online check-in, and if having no baggage could go direct to the gate and fly.

Doesn't this have huge security issues (what if your brother-in-law was Osama bin Laden)?

In the USA if you tried this the TSA would have you frog-marched off to the pokey (at the very least).

 

[NM]

Doesn't this have huge security issues

Not really in Australia. Australian authorities are less paranoid about data matching of passenger's identities than the US authorities. Everyone who goes to a departure gate in an Australian major airport is subjected to the same security screening.

(what if your brother-in-law was Osama bin Laden)?

If he was on your flight, then you are probably quite safe from a terrorist attack. He is the last person his organisation would likely want to be directly involved in an act of terrorism. And he would have been subject to the same security screening as all the other passengers, so should not be carrying any nasties like knitting needles, nail clippers or nail files.

In the USA if you tried this the TSA would have you frog-marched off to the pokey (at the very least).

Goes to show how ridiculous the situation is over there. The TSA activities seem to be aimed at maintaining the facade of appearing to be proactive.

In Australia, the desire to match passenger identities to the booking is for the airlines benefit:

• To help identify bodies if something goes horribly wrong
• To enable cancellation and change fees if the originally booked passenger cannot travel

 

[Travel Guru]

Doesn't this have huge security issues (what if your brother-in-law was Osama bin Laden)?

In the USA if you tried this the TSA would have you frog-marched off to the pokey (at the very least).

It's a massive security risk that they've either overlooked or consider minimal.

It's also not just those without checked luggage, I can't remember the last time on a DJ flight where I'd checked in online that they asked for ID at bagdrop.

TG

 

[wallacej]

OT: In the US, non-travellers ie those without a boarding pass are not permitted beyond security. Those with a boarding pass must present ID that matches the boarding pass.

I agree with the above that regardless of who is flying, the screening process is the same. I can imagine this could be a problem if police were say looking for a criminal, a mate could buy a ticket in anyones name, and if the person is not checking luggage there will be no ID check at all.

 

[NM]

OT: In the US, non-travellers ie those without a boarding pass are not permitted beyond security. Those with a boarding pass must present ID that matches the boarding pass.

And the main reason for enforcing the "travelling passengers only" policy at the security screening point is to reduce the number of people needing to be screened using their silly, over-the-top, just-for-show screening techniques. They just could not cope with the extra capacity required to allow non-travellers through the screening point.

 

[dajop]

I can imagine this could be a problem if police were say looking for a criminal, a mate could buy a ticket in anyones name, and if the person is not checking luggage there will be no ID check at all.

Or the said criminal could just drive/walk/run/swim/cycle/catch a boat across a state border instead. No ID checks required their either.

 

[crazydave98]

It's a massive security risk that they've either overlooked or consider minimal.

the latter as subsequent posts have pointed out.

It's also not just those without checked luggage, I can't remember the last time on a DJ flight where I'd checked in online that they asked for ID at bagdrop.

actually bags go through more screening than passengers and IMO are considerably safer. Every bag gets screened for explosives while passengers are only randomly selected at present.

 

[opusman]

Or the said criminal could just drive/walk/run/swim/cycle/catch a boat across a state border instead. No ID checks required their either.

It is actually apparently possible to get through TSA security in the US without showing ID, provided you say you have "forgotten" to bring it. Apparently if you outright refuse to show ID you will be denied boarding but if you simply forgot to bring ID they will let you through provided you submit to additional screening.

 

[Mal]

It is actually apparently possible to get through TSA security in the US without showing ID, provided you say you have "forgotten" to bring it. Apparently if you outright refuse to show ID you will be denied boarding but if you simply forgot to bring ID they will let you through provided you submit to additional screening.

I think that was stopped earlier this year when they introduced "Real ID" checking. At the same time they cracked down on what ID could be used (eg a NSW driver's license was sometimes accepted, but now for Aussies it has to be a passport).

There are 'access passes' that you can obtain to get into the terminal without flying, but I think you need to arrange them with your airline the day before and have a good reason.

 

[serfty]

... There are 'access passes' that you can obtain to get into the terminal without flying, but I think you need to arrange them with your airline the day before and have a good reason.

Like business meetings in Admirals Club etc. - I have often seen this referred to on FT.