How flexible is fully flexible?

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N860CR

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I have a late meeting in Townsville tomorrow and really don't want to spend the night there.

If I were to book a fully-flexible ticket and online checkin to maximize my chances of making it, am I then able to miss the flight and apply for a refund? Or do I lose the chance of that when they "offload" me?

Other option is calling ahead about 30min or an hour before the flight to tell them I won't make it - but then I'd already be checked in so I don't know if that's a problem.

Dont want to spend the night, but don't want to lose ~$500 on a missed flight either!
 
Thanks, I did look at something similar to that. My concern is more if checking in somehow changes the conditions on the ticket.
 
Fully flexible fares are exactly that - fully flexible.

You can not turn up and they'll still happily move you onto another flight of your choosing providing there's availability.

Of course if you're already checked in, I would advise calling before even if just out of courtesy so they're not calling you while at the airport.

If travelling in economy, I usually travel on flexible tickets if there's any chance of my plans changing (and if not flying Business). It's just easier.
 
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Thanks, I did look at something similar to that. My concern is more if checking in somehow changes the conditions on the ticket.

Yeah, I'd recommend either not checking in unless you're certain you'll make the flight. Alternatively check-in online as planned and phone them if you can't make it.
 
Fully flexible fares are exactly that - fully flexible.

You can not turn up and they'll still happily move you onto another flight of your choosing providing there's availability.

When you say there's availability, you mean that not only must there be a physical seat to sit in, but you also mean that the same fare bucket has to exist, right? Otherwise, you'll have to pay a fare difference to the higher bucket?

Of course, Fully Flexible tickets are usually the most expensive, which means that there's rarely a higher bucket than them (except for Business).
 
When you say there's availability, you mean that not only must there be a physical seat to sit in, but you also mean that the same fare bucket has to exist, right? Otherwise, you'll have to pay a fare difference to the higher bucket?

Yes, thank you for the clarification.

So if you're booked as fully flexible you will either be booked in H or Y. That same fare bucket needs to be available on the new flight (almost always the case if there's available seats at least for Y).

If you're booked in D or J, you can also fly in Y if there's a seat available in any fare bucket (I've had to do that in some unfortunate circumstances).
 
When you say there's availability, you mean that not only must there be a physical seat to sit in, but you also mean that the same fare bucket has to exist, right? Otherwise, you'll have to pay a fare difference to the higher bucket?

Of course, Fully Flexible tickets are usually the most expensive, which means that there's rarely a higher bucket than them (except for Business).
Exactly. If you have purchased B fare and there is only Y available on the flight to which you want to change, you pay the difference to upgrade your B fare to Y fare.
 
Not too worried about transferring onto a new one. If I miss it, I'll take my refund and drive to Cairns!
 
Not too worried about transferring onto a new one. If I miss it, I'll take my refund and drive to Cairns!

TSV is not that bad, is it?

I lived there for about five years and was not a real fan of the place but I could wait until the next day to get out of there.....
 
It's not that bad, no, I'm just very short on time this week and can't afford to lost the next morning to travel.
 
FWIW, Virgin Blue do not allow you to cancel if you have checked in online.

The fares are only refundable within 24 hours of departure IF you haven't checked in online. If you have checked in, and you are a no show, you forfeit the fare. They generally waive this for Gold Velocity members, but it is still discretionary.

I think the QF policy is different though.

On the topic of changing after departure to a different flight & your fare bucket is not available - look for a lower class on the flight you want, book that, and cancel the original B or Y booking ... then you'll pocket the fare difference instead of QF!
 
FWIW, Virgin Blue do not allow you to cancel if you have checked in online.

The fares are only refundable within 24 hours of departure IF you haven't checked in online. If you have checked in, and you are a no show, you forfeit the fare. They generally waive this for Gold Velocity members, but it is still discretionary.

I think the QF policy is different though.

That seems weird from DJ. Like, really weird. A fully flexible ticket is just that. QF will even let you seek a refund if you no-show. Isn't that the idea?
 
That seems weird from DJ. Like, really weird. A fully flexible ticket is just that. QF will even let you seek a refund if you no-show. Isn't that the idea?

Well, that was my view as well. But only last month I checked in online for a Y class fare with DJ, got to the airport 10 min after departure and was told "well you've checked in online so that is a 'no show' which means you forfeit the fare, but we'll move you to the next flight seeing you're gold". I questioned it and said "but it's fully flexible" to which they replied "yes, but once you check in then those conditions no longer apply, and if you cancel or no show, then the fare is forfeited".

So I'm now just selecting my seat online with DJ, but not actually checking in.
 
It seems weird, but it is in the rules:

(Not sure the corporates would like such a rule though!)
Corporate Plus Fare Rules
- The Basics: this is our fully flexible fare. There is no fee to change the fare, and it is fully refundable in most circumstances, at an applicable fee up to 24 hours after departure. It also gives you the benefits of a free checked baggage allowance of up to 32kg, priority check-in and complimentary access to The Lounge. (located in the domestic terminal of selected Australian Capital City Airports.)- Changes: you can change the date and time of your flight and the name of the passenger and you do not have to pay a change fee. All you have to do is contact the Guest Contact Centre (GCC) at any time up to 24 hours after your flights scheduled departure time. If you used our website, mobile website or mobile phone application to book your flight, you can also change the date and time of your flight on-line (on our website: www.virginblue.com.au/managedbookings or mobile website: mobile.virginblue.com.au via the application up to 60 mins prior to your flights scheduled departure time. Your new fare may be more expensive than the original fare. You must pay any fare difference when you change your booking. Any other changes to your flight (e.g. changes to routing) are not permitted and will be treated as a cancellation.- Cancellations: you can cancel your flight at no additional cost by contacting the GCC at any time up to 24 hours after your flights scheduled departure time. If you used our website, mobile website or mobile phone application to book your flight, you can also cancel your flight on-line or via the application up to 60 mins prior to your flights scheduled departure time.
- Refunds and Credits: if you cancel your flight in accordance with these fare rules, you can elect to receive one option of either a credit or a refund, depending on how you paid for your flight. Note that refunds are not available for all forms of payment.Credit: credit is available for all forms of payment. You may receive a credit for the amount you paid for your flight. The credit must be used within 12 months from the date you purchased your flight. If you elect to receive a credit, you cannot subsequently apply for a refund. To book a new flight using your credit, you must contact the GCC. Your new fare may be more expensive than the original fare. If you booked your flight using Velocity points, you can only obtain a credit. You cannot obtain a refund.Refund: refunds are not available if you booked your flight with Velocity points or with a credit from a previous flight. If you are eligible for this option, you can elect to receive a refund in the same form as the original form of payment, less an administrative fee. The applicable administrative fee will be the fee published on our website at the time you make your request. A higher fee will apply if your fare relates to an international flight.. The applicable fee applies per guest, per cancellation. Our current fees are listed on our website at Flight specials and holiday deals | Virgin Blue. Where you have paid by cash or EFTPOS, the refund will be directly deposited into your nominated Australian or New Zealand bank account. If you have booked using credit from another Virgin Blue fare type, you will not be eligible for a refund.- Book and Hold: if you book through a travel agent or call our GCC you have the option to hold your reservation (without payment) for 48 hours. You must pay for the flight within 48 hours or your booking will be cancelled automatically. Any reservations made within 48 hours of your flights scheduled departure time will require instant payment. The Book and Hold functionality is not available for bookings made using Velocity Points.- No show: if you do not fly and do not notify us within 24 hours after your flights scheduled departure time, you will forfeit any fare paid and/or your Velocity Points (as applicable). If you check in, but do not fly, you will not be eligible for a refund or credit.- Other important fare rules: this fare is only applicable from origin to destination and no en-route stopovers are permitted.- Currency: for international travel, the currency in which you made your original booking will apply any changes or cancellations you make. Please refer to the Fees and Charges tab in the Booking section of our website or your itinerary for applicable charges in that currency.
 
It seems weird, but it is in the rules:

(Not sure the corporates would like such a rule though!)

Obviously it pays to read the fine print (which clearly I didn't as I made the assumption that fully flexible meant exactly that!)

At least the check in staff had the common sense to move me - but from now on I definitely won't be using OLCI unless I know for sure I'm going to make it to the airport on time.
 
FWIW, Virgin Blue do not allow you to cancel if you have checked in online.

Yeah. Slightly weird! (Just like "flexible" tickets having to be changed at latest 30 mins (by phone) or 60 mins (online) before your flight or you lose them as well. )

I would have thought "Flexible" and "Fully Flexible" tickets would have had a little more flexibility!
 
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