[Price Error] Melbourne to Azerbaijan $360 Return on Virgin/Etihad

[Notyourbag]

I got the cheap EY flights from FlightCentre too. No cancellations yet either!

 

[Wheretonext]

Who did you book through?

I booked through Flight Centre as well. I think the reason why the BYOJet bookings were cancelled was due to them never being fully confirmed with an eticket issued. From what I have read so far, they are the only company to have cancelled the flight while the rest of us have our tickets issued.

Think I will wait a bit longer before booking anything else but now I am hanging to check out Baku and surrounding countries

 

[thrillho]

I also got onto this fare and I do have an e-ticket numb er from EY, double checked through TripCase.

Not sure there's a statute of limitations, but at some point I'm going to want to buy other flights/hotels/misc. ... anyone know how long an airline has to make a move?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I also got onto this fare and I do have an e-ticket numb er from EY, double checked through TripCase.

Not sure there's a statute of limitations, but at some point I'm going to want to buy other flights/hotels/misc. ... anyone know how long an airline has to make a move?

Unless they have a stated policy to the contrary - they can cancel whenever they want. Right up until check-in.

Whether or not they have a valid basis to do so is another matter. They can cancel and then you have to take them to court. But you won't be flying.

If the fare is no longer for sale, and if all tickets have been ticketed... then you should probably call them to confirm they are willing to accept these tickets. Better to find out now than later.

And don't seek comfort in any pre-recorded messages such as 'you don't need to reconfirm flights'. This is a case where being proactive to speak or write to a real person and ask questions will work in your favour.

 

[Wheretonext]

If the fare is no longer for sale, and if all tickets have been ticketed... then you should probably call them to confirm they are willing to accept these tickets. Better to find out now than later.

You are obviously very experienced with flying and ticketing so I believe you know what you are talking about. Trying to understand your rationale behind calling the airline directly to get confirmation they will accept the tickets. I would assume a call centre employee would not know what the finance/marketing/management department are planning on doing in the future in regards to these tickets. The team that found and changed the fare would surely be investigating with higher management on whether it should be honoured or not.

You said that the airline can cancel the flights right up until check in with no recourse so trying to understand what benefit I would get by stirring the pot.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You are obviously very experienced with flying and ticketing so I believe you know what you are talking about. Trying to understand your rationale behind calling the airline directly to get confirmation they will accept the tickets. I would assume a call centre employee would not know what the finance/marketing/management department are planning on doing in the future in regards to these tickets. The team that found and changed the fare would surely be investigating with higher management on whether it should be honoured or not.

You said that the airline can cancel the flights right up until check in with no recourse so trying to understand what benefit I would get by stirring the pot.

The benefit of 'stirring the pot' so to speak is that you'll find out, reasonably quickly, whether your ticket ticket is likely to be honoured. If you have something from the airline - and perhaps an email is better - then if they do cancel you'll have a solid ground when you sue them for the cost of all your other travel plans.

Without that written confirmation, it could be argued that you knew it was a mistake (or that you ought to have known), and by not calling you were partially responsible for concealing the error. With a written confirmation, no such issues. So while you ultimately still might not fly, you'd have a clear-cut case for getting a refund of not only your fare, but also any other ancillary flights or accommodation (that isn't refundable).

 

[Wheretonext]

Thanks MEL_Traveller for the explanation. It makes sense but not sure I have the guts to do that. Think I would rather keep my head down and hope nothing happens. If it does, I can try to argue that I didn't call them as I assumed it was a normal fare that I found on Skyscanner. All the taxes on the ticket are correct so thought it was a discounted ticket to a low volume travel route from Melb.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks MEL_Traveller for the explanation. It makes sense but not sure I have the guts to do that. Think I would rather keep my head down and hope nothing happens. If it does, I can try to argue that I didn't call them as I assumed it was a normal fare that I found on Skyscanner. All the taxes on the ticket are correct so thought it was a discounted ticket to a low volume travel route from Melb.

And if I was the airline - there's your issue. If you are 'smart' enough to know/confirm all the taxes are correct, you'd probably also be aware that the fare itself (maybe $100?) would be too low to be correct.

Arguments comparing fares, previous deals, 'we didn't know', 'we assumed it was a genuine fare'... all sort of things... were put to the Canadian Transportation Authority for the (now infamous) Swiss fares from Rangoon. They didn't buy any of it. It's a similar set of laws here in Australia so you'd really need to find a court that was willing to accept the argument of genuinely not knowing.

Unfortunately it's a bit of a catch 22. Keeping your head down might let your fare slip under the radar. But it could cause you a bit of grief in the meantime until you know, for certain, it's going to be honoured. And if they do pull the plug, you could lose money on non-ref hotels or air.

 

[Wheretonext]

Arguments comparing fares, previous deals, 'we didn't know', 'we assumed it was a genuine fare'... all sort of things... were put to the Canadian Transportation Authority for the (now infamous) Swiss fares from Rangoon. They didn't buy any of it. It's a similar set of laws here in Australia so you'd really need to find a court that was willing to accept the argument of genuinely not knowing.

Do you know how long it took the airline to cancel the flights in this case?

Definitely is a bit of a catch 22 situation so think best bet will be to book the fully refundable flights / hotels to surrounding countries and hope for the best.

And if I was the airline - there's your issue. If you are 'smart' enough to know/confirm all the taxes are correct, you'd probably also be aware that the fare itself (maybe $100?) would be too low to be correct.

I agree that the taxes argument would not work. Meant that it is the argument I am having with myself as I believe they would be more likely to cancel a flight that had incorrect taxes compared to a flight that had an incorrect fare. Unfortunately nobody knows what they will do so just need to live with the anxiety of potentially missing out on a trip that I am extremely excited to go on now.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Do you know how long it took the airline to cancel the flights in this case?

Definitely is a bit of a catch 22 situation so think best bet will be to book the fully refundable flights / hotels to surrounding countries and hope for the best.



I agree that the taxes argument would not work. Meant that it is the argument I am having with myself as I believe they would be more likely to cancel a flight that had incorrect taxes compared to a flight that had an incorrect fare. Unfortunately nobody knows what they will do so just need to live with the anxiety of potentially missing out on a trip that I am extremely excited to go on now.

Months in the case of the Swiss fares. Some people flew. Others had their tickets cancelled before departure. Others had their tickets downgraded at the half way point (they flew first class into Zurich, but then had their tickets downgraded from Zurich onwards).

You should have a fir idea as soon as the first folk fly the ticket as to whether it will be honoured. Still not a 100% guarantee, but a very good start.

 

[Wheretonext]

Just received an email from Etihad titled "Your Etihad Airways flight has been changed". Luckily it was only related to one of the legs leaving 5 mins earlier. Almost had a heart attack opening that email.

 

[JessicaTam]

...

Think I will wait a bit longer before booking anything else but now I am hanging to check out Baku and surrounding countries

I also got onto this fare and I do have an e-ticket numb er from EY, double checked through TripCase.

Not sure there's a statute of limitations, but at some point I'm going to want to buy other flights/hotels/misc. ... anyone know how long an airline has to make a move?

If you are booking hotels book as flexible a rate as you can afford. That way if it goes pear shaped at the airport you won't be rubbing salt into the wound.

And rule #1 of fares too good to be true: Never, ever call the airline. Ever. If they know about it and were going to honour it, no harm done. But if they weren't aware, you are waving a big red flag.

 

[Notyourbag]

Does anyone think this will still go ahead? Anyone asked for a refund or travel credit?

 

[Wheretonext]

I contacted Flight Centre to request that the flight dates be moved to similar dates next year. Below is the response I received. Looks like there is no chance of being able to move it to next year without paying the fare difference which would totally kill the deal. Think the only way I am going to get my money back is by doing a chargeback on my credit card once Virgin are dissolved as it would mean I have grounds for merchant chargeback due to not receiving the service I paid for (my first leg was Melb - Syd with Virgin).

1. Exchange ticket- Airline Credit

- Your ticket will be held in credit

- Credit must be rebooked before - 30 September 2020

- Outbound travel starting before 31 July 2021

- No airline fees but any fare and tax difference may apply

- Etihad Guest members get up to 5000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles (need to request to the airline directly)

- You may earn up to $400.00 USD bonus credit (Need to request to the airline directly)

2. Refund and Issue New Ticket

- Your original ticket purchase on the 21st of February 2020 can be refunded provided that:

a. New ticket is purchase before 30 September 2020

b. Outbound travel starting before 31 July 201

c. New ticket name should match the old ticket

- Flight Centre Cancellation Fee $300.00 AUD per person will be applied once you meet the requirements of the airline to be entitled for a refund. It would take 8-12 weeks for the turnaround time for the airline refund.

- For the new ticket Etihad Guest members get up to 5000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles (Need to request to the airline directly)

- You may earn up to $400.00 USD additional credit (Need to request to the airline directly)

 

[Notyourbag]

Unfortunately since we booked through FC we wouldn't be eligible for:

- Etihad Guest members get up to 5000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles (need to request to the airline directly)

- You may earn up to $400.00 USD bonus credit (Need to request to the airline directly)

Do you think you would get a refund or would EY just book you on a MEL-SYD route at their own cost and hold you to the booking out of Sydney?

 

[Wheretonext]

Unfortunately since we booked through FC we wouldn't be eligible for:

- Etihad Guest members get up to 5000 bonus Etihad Guest Miles (need to request to the airline directly)

- You may earn up to $400.00 USD bonus credit (Need to request to the airline directly)

Do you think you would get a refund or would EY just book you on a MEL-SYD route at their own cost and hold you to the booking out of Sydney?

I assume we would be entitled to the credit as that was what FC offered me so it must be offered to anyone with an Etihad flight. Here are the details of the offer so it isn't much for us https://www.etihad.com/en/manage/request-a-refund/credit-plus-miles/non-eyg-member-enrol

I can't see how any international flights will be operating from Australia by the 31st July so I would guess it is safe to say they will be cancelled at some stage.

 

[Notyourbag]

Flights not cancelled (yet!) although I had an email with VA flight changes overnight.

Current situation in Azerbaijan

1. Passengers are not allowed to enter Azerbaijan until 1 August 2020.
- This does not apply to nationals and residents of Azerbaijan.
2. Passengers must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) test result issued at most 48 hours before departure.
- This does not apply to nationals of Azerbaijan.
3. A completed Public Health Passenger Locator Form must be presented upon arrival.
4. Passengers are subject to medical screening and quarantine for 14 days.
5. Suspension of e-visa issuance and visa on arrival facilities.

 

[Notyourbag]

Just to close this out, I received a full refund from Flight Centre on Friday for the Azerbaijan deal that was too good to be true. Covid Karma!