BNE-SYD-LAX-BNE VA Y US$266 on Orbitz [gone]

[JessicaTam]

I got an Orbitz survey today concerning may last booking with them.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I got an Orbitz survey today concerning may last booking with them.

Me too! The way this is handled will determine my response to that survey...

 

[Dirah]

Data point for you all. My flight was cancelled after it was ticketed and payment was accepted by Orbitz. No email saying it was cancelled, just a cancelled booking and a refund to my credit card.

Needless to say I'm extremely disappointed. Hopefully I will be the exception rather than the rule.

Did any of your confirmation emails include ticket numbers?

 

[johnny_yh2000]

Did any of your confirmation emails include ticket numbers?

I booked 4 tickets. All confirmation email has ticket number and virgin booking number

 

[scottz95]

Did any of your confirmation emails include ticket numbers?

Yeap, airline ticket number is on all of my confirmations, both payment and ticket confirmations. Just under traveller details.

 

[grilled_cheeze]

Yeap, was showing in my account after I rang VA to get my Velocity number added.

Out of interest, what was the timeframe between your call to VA and the cancellation?

 

[ozjuice]

i just keep getting Orbitz emails offering a 15% discount deal for any hotels i want to book. Pretty sweet! Everything else is the same and still in place.

 

[deva22]

My booking is still showing up as valid through VA & Orbitz.
I will only be adding my Velocity number at the airport just in case, don't want my velocity account associated with the fare if it ends up being cancelled. Maybe I'm just paranoid?

 

[scottz95]

Out of interest, what was the timeframe between your call to VA and the cancellation?

Probably a day and a half.

 

[Dirah]

Probably a day and a half.

There must be something unique in your case.
I cannot find another single report on the web of a ticketed itinerary (i.e. with eticket numbers) being cancelled

 

[sausagefingers]

Didn't this happen with the QANTAS price error as well? some people had their fares cancelled even though Qantas honored the bookings?

 

[zzap]

I will see you and raise 10-March.

I really don't want to be the first one to test this

I booked flights departing the 3rd of March. I'm the earliest I've seen. Cross your appendages for me!

 

[sausagefingers]

I booked flights departing the 3rd of March. I'm the earliest I've seen. Cross your appendages for me!

it feels weird but I am crossing everything I can.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Honestly, If I don't hear anything within a week I will begin the planning of my holiday, connecting flights, hotels etc... but first travel insurance lol

Unfortunately we don't really have much protection in Australia when it comes to error fares. My understanding is that normal contract law applies, and if the airline can satisfy the elements of mistake, you'll be out of luck.

Of course the airline can always cancel first, and then you'll have the battle to get it reinstated.

Travel insurance is unlikely to cover any expenses in this case. Nor is the airline.

There are perhaps some exceptions - if you call the airline and they explicitly tell you (or even better, write to you) that they will honour the fare, you are somewhat protected (not that they won't ultimately cancel, but at least your incidental costs would have to be covered by them).

Time is another factor that can sometimes work in your favour. If several months pass the airline may have a hard time denying you any incidental expenses you incur.

However - I think the advice given is sound - do not book any non-refundable connecting flights or hotels until you have some idea whether the fare will be honoured.

 

[sausagefingers]

Unfortunately we don't really have much protection in Australia when it comes to error fares. My understanding is that normal contract law applies, and if the airline can satisfy the elements of mistake, you'll be out of luck.

Of course the airline can always cancel first, and then you'll have the battle to get it reinstated.

Travel insurance is unlikely to cover any expenses in this case. Nor is the airline.

There are perhaps some exceptions - if you call the airline and they explicitly tell you (or even better, write to you) that they will honour the fare, you are somewhat protected (not that they won't ultimately cancel, but at least your incidental costs would have to be covered by them).

Time is another factor that can sometimes work in your favour. If several months pass the airline may have a hard time denying you any incidental expenses you incur.

However - I think the advice given is sound - do not book any non-refundable connecting flights or hotels until you have some idea whether the fare will be honoured.

which begs the question, how long until we know for certain?
3rd of March when Zzap gets the airport? What for the rest of us later in the year?
Should I ring and ask? likely whomever I speak with is unlikely to know anything about it.

Anyone have any friends within the Sir Richard Branson Family? lol

 

[MEL_Traveller]

which begs the question, how long until we know for certain?
3rd of March when Zzap gets the airport? What for the rest of us later in the year?
Should I ring and ask? likely whomever I speak with is unlikely to know anything about it.

That's a decision you (and others who have purchased this fare) need to make.

Do you try and go under the radar (not attract attention) in the hope you will be allowed to fly on the day, or do you phone in advance to get certainty? (With the disadvantage that they might cancel your fare, or not only your fare but those belonging to others)

If you sit back in the hope this will fly under the radar, your ability to rebut an argument of 'mistake' may be compromised. Making the assumption that you won't be able to reach anyone who knows anything is also unlikely to work in your favour. It's a complex area and you might want to seek advice on your position from an appropriate source.

 

[scottz95]

There must be something unique in your case.
I cannot find another single report on the web of a ticketed itinerary (i.e. with eticket numbers) being cancelled

Not sure. I called VA just to understand what happened and they escalated it to managers to look into. When I hear something back, will post results.

 

[zzap]

I'm airline staff (not with Virgin) so there is a lower risk for me. If I show up at the airport on the 3rd to discover they won't honor my fare, I will just book a staff ticket on my own airline. Either way I'll post my outcome to give you guys some more certainty. I have a feeling they're gonna honor these, though.

 

[greenfish]

Not sure. I called VA just to understand what happened and they escalated it to managers to look into. When I hear something back, will post results.

That probably isn't the best news for those of us who still have bookings - rule #1 - Never call the airline

 

[trixydoza]

That probably isn't the best news for those of us who still have bookings - rule #1 - Never call the airline

Harsh when he or she is personally affected. And it's not as though they're not aware at this juncture.