Moving / Refunding a Non-Refundable Flight ??

This is a bit of a tricky topic and I feel a bit bad for asking, but I believe in being prepared for every eventuality so thought it best to ask.

The misses and I are going away for a week in September to Palm Springs, CA and are flying to LA with VA. We are also going for a week in December to Orlando again with VA. This isn’t the concern as we are both really looking forward to the holidays!

The concern is however that Emma’s father is currently very ill with a brain tumour. He has finished all his surgery / radiotherapy / chemo and last week was told by the Dr’s there is nothing more than they do for him and told the family to make him comfortable. It came as a shock obviously but he has been fighting this for over 12 months (we moved our wedding forward last year when we first found out) and my wife is dealing with it surprisingly well. He could last another 6 months or he could last a few weeks, we just don’t know and because of this I am worried that he may lose his battle while we are away. I’m sorry if this comes across wrong, it’s not meant to, its just one of those things I’m worried about and don’t want Emma to have to deal with it if it does happen.

So, should the worse happen and her dad passes away before/while we are away what can we do? Obviously if we are away we will come straight back on the first flight we can get, but what I was wondering is there anything in place that covers this sort of eventuality? The tickets we got were in the earlier sale so are not refundable but should a family member die is there anything that can be done to get the money back or transfer the flights to another date etc as a gesture of good will?

I know if may sound harsh to ask, but I’d rather find out now whatever the result may be, so that if it did happen I know where we stand and it saves Emma having to worry about it as I know she would because she is like that.

Thanks for your help!

Andy

Wouldn't your travel insurance normally cover such issues?

[Neil]

A similar thing happened to my dad when he was away with Business and my Grandad died. The airline quite happily put him on the next flight FOC but he had to send a copy of the death certificate in afterwards to prove he had died. Whilst that sounds horrible the airline said they get so many people trying it on they have to cover themselves.

Also, as griffog has said, your travel insurance should cover you. I know when my partners mum died and his sister was away at the time, their travel insurance sorted everything out for them.

Neil

Andy,

I write having had the same experience earlier this year.

Our VS flights were refundable but Delta flights not. A cancelled non-refundable Delta flight can be re-scheduled for a fee. However it is fully refundable if a death cert can be provided (which we did, and got a refund).

Not sure if Virgin offer such a service.

From experience, although a travel insurance claim is possible, it is difficult, intrusive, stressful and very upsetting. We cancelled prior to Mother in Law dying. Many forms had to be completed including a form which Mother in Law's GP had to complete. After all this, we still had to allow access of medical notes to the insurance company.

My advice is if VS allow you to re-schedule and you won't lose too much money from other aspects, do this rather than claiming on travel insurance. Also, from experience, if you are very concerned over your Father in Laws health - don't travel. You won't enjoy the trip, wait as we have, until things are different.

Hope this helps

Jeremy

I was under the impression that most insurances specifically excluded eventualities that arise from a condition / illness known of at the time the insurance is taken out.

In any case I believe from earlier threads that you will have no problem getting a sympathetic ear from VS.

Best wishes to all of you and I hope the next few months are as stress free and as peaceful as possible.

FM

[honey lamb]

There was a thread on here some time back whereby the poster's husband had just been diagnosed as terminally ill and she was wondering what the position was. As far as I can remember VS refunded their fares or allowed them to change. I tried to dig it out but failed to do so but someone else might remember it

[Scrooge]

I have found over the years that most travel companies will go out of their way to help in situations like this.

Many years ago VS were amazing in helping me with flights and my weekly trips to the UK to see my mother.

Give the FC a call and talk to them.

Thanks for your help everyone, has been very useful.

I did ask the wife if she wanted to move it but as no-one knows how long her Dad could be like this she still wants to go away which I agree with, if he knew we were canceling holiday he would be more upset at that.

Thanks again, makes me feel a lot better knowing this, just in case. Thanks!

A while ago I had this type of possible circumstance in my life.

I spoke to a member of VA staff who said that in cicumstances such as mine (& yours) they will do all that is possible to accomodate the individuals (or couples) needs.

It turned out that I did not need to alter or cancel my arrangements but I was re-assured that should I need to change/cancel travel plans then VA would do all that it could to assist me.

I hope that you are able to take your trips knowing that you could return quickly should the need arise.
Take care.

Yes, its made me feel a bit better now knowing this. Something less to worry about should the worst happen while we're away.

My thoughts are with you and your wife Andy, not least because we found ourselves in a not dissimilar situation earlier this year. And yes, I remember how awful I felt that we just didn't know whether or not we'd be able to go, but also knowing how much we wanted/needed to get away. We did go though - really because nobody knew just whether R's Mum would be with us. I know it sounds terrible to be wondering whether or not to cancel, but in many respects, life needs to continue and you need some kind of normality in your life.

Good luck....[:X]

Originally posted by catsilversword
My thoughts are with you and your wife Andy, not least because we found ourselves in a not dissimilar situation earlier this year. And yes, I remember how awful I felt that we just didn't know whether or not we'd be able to go, but also knowing how much we wanted/needed to get away. We did go though - really because nobody knew just whether R's Mum would be with us. I know it sounds terrible to be wondering whether or not to cancel, but in many respects, life needs to continue and you need some kind of normality in your life.

Good luck....[:X]

Thanks for the kind post. I know what you mean, no matter how hard life seems at time, it does go on.