Virginblue sneaky opt-out baggage insurance

[vbarberini]

Virginblue frequent flyers be warned... don't think you can just whiz through the website to make an online booking without first checking you've 'uncheckied' things you don't really want.

The vb website now incorporates, as a default, baggage insurance protection. If you don't want it, you MUST ensure you uncheck it. Otherwise $9 will be billed to your credit card.

Many colleagues have been caught out by this.

Sure, it could be argued that you have to read everything carefully, but when all other add-on services are opt-in I think it's pretty sneaky to make the baggage insurance out-opt.

Are times really that tough at vb?

 

[opusman]

Qantas do the same thing, fwiw.

 

[tuapekastar]

Qantas do the same thing, fwiw.

Not sure I've noticed this with QF as a default...may just have overlooked it (though I would hope not).

 

[oz_mark]

Qantas do the same thing, fwiw.

Qantas offers it, but nothing is selected by default, you have to make a choice to opt in (and I think it was a bit more comprehensive than baggage insurance - not that i have studied the ploicy in much detail)

 

[kpc]

Virginblue frequent flyers be warned... don't think you can just whiz through the website to make an online booking without first checking you've 'uncheckied' things you don't really want.

The vb website now incorporates, as a default, baggage insurance protection. If you don't want it, you MUST ensure you uncheck it. Otherwise $9 will be billed to your credit card.

Many colleagues have been caught out by this.

Sure, it could be argued that you have to read everything carefully, but when all other add-on services are opt-in I think it's pretty sneaky to make the baggage insurance out-opt.

Are times really that tough at vb?

I think it has always been there...well, it was there prior to the new luggage charges. I nearly paid for the insurance some time ago but double checked when the final price seemed a little higher than what I thought; went back and unchecked the box:evil:. My brother "accidentally" bought the insurance; he rang VB to complain, and they refunded him the travel insurance costs.

 

[stuartfaz]

Virginblue frequent flyers be warned... don't think you can just whiz through the website to make an online booking without first checking you've 'uncheckied' things you don't really want.

The vb website now incorporates, as a default, baggage insurance protection. If you don't want it, you MUST ensure you uncheck it. Otherwise $9 will be billed to your credit card.

Many colleagues have been caught out by this.

Sure, it could be argued that you have to read everything carefully, but when all other add-on services are opt-in I think it's pretty sneaky to make the baggage insurance out-opt.

Are times really that tough at vb?

I'm pretty sure they've had this for a while, at least since they did the website redesign late last year.

Jetstar make you tick a box saying you don't want it before making a booking as well, I believe.

I guess it's a way of reducing some liability on the airline's part, to say that insurance has been offered and that you have refused it.

Anyway, now you know it's there, you know how to avoid it

 

[mr_greg444]

I think it has always been there...well, it was there prior to the new luggage charges. I nearly paid for the insurance some time ago but double checked when the final price seemed a little higher than what I thought; went back and unchecked the box:evil:. My brother "accidentally" bought the insurance; he rang VB to complain, and they refunded him the travel insurance costs.

I did the same thing about 6 months ago. I was in a rush to book some 2 lots of one way flights. I unchecked the first lot, but forgot to uncheck the second lot.

It wasn't a huge deal - just called virgin and they refunded the money.

If virgin looses your baggage and it cant be found, and you dont have insurance, do they still compensate?

 

[serfty]

<mark is right>

 

[oz_mark]

I thought said conventions applied to international travel. Do they apply to domestic?

 

[serfty]

AUD Leglislation limits DJ's exposure for lost/damaged luggage to a maximum of $1,600.

From the Virgin Blue - Terms and Conditions of Carriage:

...
14.2 Australian Domestic Flights: The Carrier’s liability is limited by the provisions of the Civil Aviation (Carriers’ Liability) Act 1959 (Cth), complementary State legislation and these terms and conditions to: AUD$1,600 in respect of destruction, loss or injury to a Guest’s Registered Baggage; AUD$160 in respect of destruction, loss or injury to a Guest’s Carry-on Baggage; and AUD$500,000 in respect of personal injury or death of a Guest. If the Carrier is responsible in any way for carriage of a Guest by water, any liability is limited to the extent permitted by the Navigation Act 1912 (Cth). ...

Presumably the travel insurance offered increases cover beyond that $1600 limit.

 

[serfty]

Here's a link to the PDS:

• Ticket & Baggage Insurance

They will pay up to $750 per item to a limit of $5000 per "Virgin Blue Ticketed Passenger".

 

[v8Statesman]

Here's a link to the PDS:

• Ticket & Baggage Insurance

They will pay up to $750 per item to a limit of $500 per "Virgin Blue Ticketed Passenger".

So you get less!?!

Hmmm sneeky

 

[serfty]

Ooops, missing a zero! 'tis actually $5K - fixed ...

 

[thegurio]

Yup, like everyone said they have been doing this for about 12 months at least.. I have accidenally paid for it a few times but at $9 i wasnt really that concerned i must admit - I call it the Stupidity Levy (the price you pay for being stupid and not checking things when you really should)

 

[JohnK]

I am almost certain that they have left it checked to catch people who will forget to uncheck it and not bother calling to reverse the charge. So far I have been careful but I am sure I will get caught out somewhere along the way....

 

[serfty]

FWIW, the PDS indicates a cooling off period - should one notice ...

 

[JohnK]

I hardly ever read the fine print which is probably why I get myself into trouble most of the time....

 

[straitman]

I hardly ever read the fine print which is probably why I get myself into trouble most of the time....

You AND a lot of other people.