Why no refund Virgin?

[Clivem]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

Am I the only one that read the first post as.. *Danger Danger Will Robinson* ​?

Yes started out ....Lost in Space *Danger Danger* ish ...... but having read through the thread ....... I'm now thinking something more along the Doctor Who *Exterminate Exterminate* lines is more applicable.

 

[samuel337]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

OP, let's spin the situation around. You own a travel tour company. I tell you I want a private tour of Melbourne for myself and my SO. I want to visit the zoo, see a theatre show, go to the boxing day test and finally go for a comfortable guided tour down the Great Ocean Road. I pay you X for this service.

In turn, after I have agreed to the tour (contract), you go and hire a limo, hire a driver, purchase tickets for the attractions and shows, purchase petrol and purchase catering for the drive.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I have had to cancel the tour a few weeks out. I request a full refund of all that I have paid (i.e. X). Now, you have already purchased and hired everything in preparation for the tour. Would you provide me with a full refund and simply absorb the loss?

 

[anat0l]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

If the OP is so aggrieved, then why not consider instigating a chargeback via the credit card provider, or bringing a case to the Small Claims tribunal in the relevant jurisdiction?


I know we can argue against why these won't work, but hey, if someone is that aggrieved by it all, then if you want to have a go, then there of it.


Alternatively, perhaps a polite letter or private message to Virgin Australia (company representative on AFF) may yield a favourable response under more amicable conditions.

 

[lovestotravel]

This is a very cool story bro

Did you not read the T&C's before booking ?
Did you not get travel insurance ?

Clearly not

/END THREAD

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

If the OP is so aggrieved, then why not consider instigating a chargeback via the credit card provider

It is not that easy to instigate a charge back in Australia

 

[anat0l]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

It is not that easy to instigate a charge back in Australia

Well, if the OP is that aggrieved, it's an option. Never said anything about easy, let alone plausible.

 

[drewbles]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

Well, if the OP is that aggrieved, it's an option. Never said anything about easy, let alone plausible.

It's actually very easy to do a chargeback (some banks even do it over the phone).

It would be fraudulent to do so in given the circumstances though (where the OP would be breaching a legal contract they entered in to with VA).

 

[cssaus]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

To the OP, if you feel you have a valid case, take it to :

the Australian Airline Customer Advocate

 

[kevrosmith]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

This is the trade-off for buying cheap, non-refundable airfares. If you'd purchased Flexi fares (or Business) you'd be able to get a refund (see Fare Types | Virgin Australia).

Just to provide some clarity ... Flexi fares with VA are in fact not refundable: they are put into a credit, or Travel Bank, as the OP describes, and therefore the OP may have in fact purchased Flexi fares. Plus, to cancel a Flexi fare, there is a $60 fee. Domestic Fees and Surcharges | Virgin Australia

Has anyone tried this: can you change a lower-class fare (Saver or Flexi) into a Business Class fare (paying whatever necessary change fees and fare difference) and then apply for a refund for the Business Class fare? Would you get the refund on the full Business Class fare value or only a refund on the value of the fare which was the difference paid from the original Economy class fare?

Edit: Actually, wow: VA have different info here http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/domestic/#flexi showing "No fee" under "Cancel fee" label.

Edit 2: Opps... actually this section reckons you can get a refund on a Flexi fare... http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fare-types/domestic/#flexi But then confusion still remains as to whether there's a fee!

 

[MarkD]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

I think the OP has vented and left. Maybe he/she is now on their facebook page, Im going to have a look

 

[anat0l]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

Just to provide some clarity ... Flexi fares with VA are in fact not refundable: they are put into a credit, or Travel Bank, as the OP describes, and therefore the OP may have in fact purchased Flexi fares. Plus, to cancel a Flexi fare, there is a $60 fee. Domestic Fees and Surcharges | Virgin Australia

Has anyone tried this: can you change a lower-class fare (Saver or Flexi) into a Business Class fare (paying whatever necessary change fees and fare difference) and then apply for a refund for the Business Class fare? Would you get the refund on the full Business Class fare value or only a refund on the value of the fare which was the difference paid from the original Economy class fare?

Edit: Actually, wow: VA have different info here Domestic Fees and Surcharges | Virgin Australia showing "No fee" under "Cancel fee" label.

Edit 2: Opps... actually this section reckons you can get a refund on a Flexi fare... Domestic Fare Types | Virgin Australia But then confusion still remains as to whether there's a fee!

View attachment 21420

Flexis are refundable - I thought that was the point of the fare ("our fully flexible Economy fare"). There is still a fee charged to process the refund, however. You can have a choice of either Travel Bank or original payment method. Lower fare types - Saver and Saver Lite - are only afforded Travel Bank and no refund possible.

Interesting you mention 'no fee' on the page you give the link for; if you click on "View All", you'll see that Flexi refunds attract a $60 fee. Interesting to see which one is actually correct!

As another point, I ran a dummy booking for a Flexi BNE/SYD, books into class LZDA. The fare rules say refunds cost $80! Now I'm confused.

As for your point of changing to a higher fare to escape the fee, I know that with Qantas that the fare rules of the original fare stand (i.e. so if you started with a Red e-Deal and "upgrade" to Business, your fare still has the change/cancellation conditions of the Red e-Deal). Not sure if it is similar in the case of VA.


In any case, it was presumed the OP did not purchase a Flexi or better fare, in which case Travel Bank is the only way to get further use of the expended amount on the ticket. If the OP had got a Flexi and forced to take Travel Bank credit, then either the Flexi was bought with Travel Bank credit (original payment method) or he was legitimately gypped and is entitled to resolve.

As it appears, the OP seems to have an in-principle problem with the fare system and rules.

 

[Intra]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

*reads the entire thread*

*laughs at OP*

Why couldn't he just have at least changed the booking for a later date (Maybe another 6 months/year in advance).... and then had Travel Insurance cover the difference....

 

[drewbles]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

*reads the entire thread*

*laughs at OP*

Why couldn't he just have at least changed the booking for a later date (Maybe another 6 months/year in advance).... and then had Travel Insurance cover the difference....

Travel insurance, depending on the level of cover, may cover the entire amount providing a medical certificate can be furnished. The OP is angry because they didn't understand what they were entering into, and didn't read things. I don't think a laugh is appropriate, but the OP needs to read our advice with a rational mind, so hopefully they've cooled off a little when they come back

 

[Ausbt]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

It's actually very easy to do a chargeback

Ahhh chargebacks. Reminds me of when I turned up at Sydney airport at 7 am one morning, with a Compass ticket in-hand. I must admit I can't recall if it was Compass Mark 1 or Compass Mark 2, but I wasn't going anywhere - the final flight had departed at 9 pm the night before. The Compass staff directed me down to Australian Airlines and wished me luck. Was interviewed briefly by ABC TV (can't have been good, no one advised me they saw it) and then fronted the Aussie Air staff. Surprisingly they said they would honour the outbound part of my SYD-BNE Compass ticket but I had to buy a $75 fare to return. Fine with me.

A quick call to MasterCard and a chargeback and hey presto, they refunded my wasted Compass return. But the best bit was because Aussie's $75 return was cheaper than the Compass fare - I actually saved money !

 

[markis10]

I don't know why this thread hasn't been removed

Because this is not Communist Frequent Flyer, everyone has the right to discuss a perceived problem so long as the discussion meets the forums rules.

 

[vitagen]

I'm still waiting for my $800 refund from May this year. VA keeps insisting it's only $600. I've emailed them my itinerary which shows the payment.

I have no idea what else to do. :/

 

[anat0l]

I'm still waiting for my $800 refund from May this year. VA keeps insisting it's only $600. I've emailed them my itinerary which shows the payment.

I have no idea what else to do. :/

What are the circumstances?

Assuming that you are entitled to the refund and have been acknowledged as such, that is very poor (pun intended). Maybe PM Virgin Australia and see if they can expedite the process for you.

 

[medhead]

<removed>

Because this is not Communist Frequent Flyer, everyone has the right to discuss a perceived problem so long as the discussion meets the forums rules.

Nor naz_ frequent flyer for that matter. Perhaps dictatorship frequent flyer would be better.

 

[straitman]

Re: Upcoming: Travel Bank

I think the OP has vented and left. Maybe he/she is now on their facebook page, Im going to have a look

The OP was online at a similar time to when you made this post.

 

[knasty]

Whilst the contractual provisions are paramount in this case, for anyone interested google the Commissioner of Taxation vs Qantas GST litigation which ended up in the High Court. The question was what is the 'supply' in relation to air travel in the context of GST on forfeited fares under the contractual terms? Majority ruled 'a promise to use its best endeavours to carry the passenger and baggage.' interesting to note one Justice dissented, saying the supply is the flight itself. So I can understand why some people have the view that they get nothing until the service is actually delivered - they have one Justice of the High Court on their side!