Flexible Fares

[Jofm5]

Hi all,

I am looking at travelling to Orlando from London in Januaray to undertake PPL training and because of the nature of what I am doing I wish to be flexible on my return date.

I have looked at a number options e.g. BA and Virgin Flexible tickets and they are pretty expensive - BA £1.2k each way and Virgin £1.2k return.

However, if I look at virgin terms and conditions when looking at either Economy (non flexible £425) or Premium Economy (non flexible £890)- It says I can make changes at a cost of £70 for either leg (Must stay a Sat night etc etc..).

I am just wondering what it is that makes the flexible tickets that much more expensive to make them worth the money over making changes to a standard ticket.

Do the virgin premium economy seats have laptop charging points as per BA's world traveller plus (Already have the adapter) or any other features other than space/food?

An if anyone knows of any other good options to look at that would be helpful - or is it better to go down to one of the ever decreasing number of travel agents to get the best options rather than look online.

Cheers for any help

Jof

[kenhughes]

This was a few years ago (2004), but I had flown Continental MAN - EWR - CLE, on the cheapest ticket I could find (IIRC it was around 300GBP, fixed dates, cattle-class). I had intended staying six weeks, but in the event, stayed for the 90-days maximum allowed under the VWP.

Once I knew I wasn't going to be returning on the date on my ticket, I rang COA to see if I could change the date of my return and there was no problem - I had to pay $90 at CLE when I turned-up for the return flight, and that was it.

[Scumbag O'Riley]

I am just wondering what it is that makes the flexible tickets that much more expensive to make them worth the money over making changes to a standard ticket.

Almost certainly nothing for somebody like you. This is just another example of illogical airline pricing, there are many. Sometimes you need to pay more than the bargain bucket fare in order to upgrade using miles, but that probably doesn't apply.

Also be careful of the rules on the ticket, some bucket fares are non changeable coming back. I once got royally stuffed by an airline who allowed me to change my return on the phone, but the person on checkin said that was not allowed and denied me boarding. As if that isn't bad enough, the checkin supervisor blamed me for not knowing the fare rules, and told me their customer service people could not have known this so wasn't their fault. On my ticket it said changes allowed for a fee.

Full service airline.

So make sure you can change the return.

[Agaricus bisporus]

Flexible Fairs

It's all swings and roundabouts as your money slips down the great roller-coaster of life.

Seriously though, if you want to be taken seriously you'd do well to get the spelling of such basic words as "Fare" correct in your title.

[Jofm5]

Seriously though, if you want to be taken seriously you'd do well to get the spelling of such basic words as "Fare" correct in your title.

I could not agree more, however if you also wish to be taken seriously my friend you should actually look at the detail before pouncing on someones back. I did actually correct that some 11 hours before your helpful comment, it is just that the post title does not get reflected on the thread title after the thread is created which only a mod can do.

Regards,

[TightSlot]

Now done... because we're worth it.

Moving on....

[Shimrod]

With a fully flexible fare, as well as changes you can cancel the ticket and get a full refund - mostly not the case with cheaper tickets.

[Hartington]

"However, if I look at virgin terms and conditions when looking at either Economy (non flexible £425) or Premium Economy (non flexible £890)- It says I can make changes at a cost of £70 for either leg (Must stay a Sat night etc etc..)."

I suspect you will find that there is also a requirement that there are seats in the same fare bucket. If that is not the case (and with Orlando that feels a likelihood) you will have to pay not only the upgrade fee but also the additional fare to whichever fare bucket is available. The £70 doesn't guarantee you will be able to change it's simply a fee IF space is available.

[Jofm5]

Now done... because we're worth it.

Indeed, and thank you.

Hartington:
I suspect you will find that there is also a requirement that there are seats in the same fare bucket. If that is not the case (and with Orlando that feels a likelihood) you will have to pay not only the upgrade fee but also the additional fare to whichever fare bucket is available. The £70 doesn't guarantee you will be able to change it's simply a fee IF space is available.

Yep, thought this would be the case, in my case I would just change until there was space in the same fare bracket or pay for upgrade of cost of staying was much more. But my understanding was this the same would apply to a flexible ticket also - only flexible if available seats in the same class.

Although thinking further I think you may be saying about fare prices available at the time e.g. prices change for seats within the same class as the flight fills up..... perhaps I should give them a call to clarify.