Virgin Au Domestic - Cancellation Waived?

[akky]

Hi guys

Has anyone ever had any luck cancelling an economy choice fare for a domestic flight with VA without cancellation fees, eg by providing medical certificate for illness?

 

[Saab34]

I’d call them and ask the question, I would say extremely unlikely. I would imagine for illness they will push you to travel insurance. Death is covered by the compassionate policy.

Some cases which hit the media often get refunded also.

 

[pauly7]

Hi guys

Has anyone ever had any luck cancelling an economy choice fare for a domestic flight with VA without cancellation fees, eg by providing medical certificate for illness?

Not Virgin but have done so on both QF and JQ (young kids…. Such fun!) Both QF and JQ bookings were on cheapie fares, but didn’t request a refund -> into flight credit on both. Wasn’t charged any cancelation fees from either on provision of the med cert saying we couldn’t fly.

Perhaps just try… hopefully you get a little compassion from them…. if you get a no from the VA overseas call centre robots who are pretty hopeless just hang up and call again and if still no luck, politely ask to be elevated to a line manager / supervisor preferably in Australia.

 

[markis10]

I’d call them and ask the question, I would say extremely unlikely.

Possible, covered last year

Should Airlines Rebook Sick Passengers for Free?

It's in everyone's interests that sick passengers defer their travel, but airlines will only waive change fees on a case-by-case basis.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Human]

Hi guys

Has anyone ever had any luck cancelling an economy choice fare for a domestic flight with VA without cancellation fees, eg by providing medical certificate for illness?

I have been successful in having cancellation/change fee waived for medical reasons several times over the years.

Call and politely explain the situation -- that you are cancelling for medical reasons. Explain that you would be happy to send them a medical certificate (in my experience, it is unlikely that they will ask for it, but your up-front willingness to send it shows them that you are legit).

The operator will then ask for your consent to talk about passenger medical information. They won't ask for any specific details.

In the somewhat unlikely event that they still ask for a cancellation fee, politely push back a little -- "Would it be at all possible for you to waive this cancellation fee as a one-off goodwill gesture, given that I'm only cancelling because of illness?".

In my experience you'll get your cancellation feel waived most, if not all, of the time. Having said that, whenever I've asked I've been either Gold or Platinum, so maybe they treat their best customers a little better.

I'd be interested to know how you go. More to the point, I do hope that whoever is sick gets well soon.