Reward Flight Alteration

Hi
I wondered if anyone could give me some advice about this situation.

I booked 6 reward flights for August. 5 were for my family members and 1 was for a friend of my daughter.
The friend no longer wants to come with us. I was told by Virgin that the flight was non-changeable or cancellable. I accepted this and decided that nearer the time, I would probably cancel this one flight and obtain a refund of the taxes. (The remaining 5 of us going as originally booked)
However, I have today found out that the girl has changed her flight date-totally unbeknown to me, to coincide with an existing family holiday. The problem is that I had paid for the flight, as a favour to my daughter.
My questions are these:-
1. As the flight was booked with MY miles,using MY credit card surely someone else cannot ring up and amend a flight
2. The girl is , at 17, a minor. Surely she should not be allowed to do this?
3. It states under Virgin's T & C's (Flying Club T & C's 2.12)that "A member may nominate an Authorised User....both the member and any Authorised User can make changes to a booking.." "An Authorised User must be over 18". Well, the girl was neither an Auth user or over 18!

Virgin are saying that the flight date was changeable (although I would dispute that they told me this when I rang) and that the girl was within her rights to do so. My argument is that it is my Flying Club Account, my credit card which made the booking and I never imagined that someone could amend the booking without my say so.

Any views would be appreciated

[RichardMannion]

Oh the love and respect of adolescents!

You were misinformed, you can change and cancel reward bookings - normally at a cost of 25% of the miles utilised. You can them claim the taxes back. I would do just that as a 'favour' to the mile thief.

I'd call back and ask to speak to a supervisor and explain the situation.

Thanks,
Richard

Thanks-she's not just a mile thief-I paid for the whole flight!!!!!

I just didn't think someone other than me would be able to amend the booking(or my Authorised User)

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by lucy
Thanks-she's not just a mile thief-I paid for the whole flight!!!!!

I just didn't think someone other than me would be able to amend the booking(or my Authorised User)

In theory, they should not have been able to do so. I am assuming the agent that took the 'date change' did not look in enough depth at the booking to see the revenue source was from another individuals mileage account. But then its a unique situation, first time I have heard of such dishonesty.

I certainly would not have been happy if it was me - I would do the refunds and show the same considration of not telling them, so when they go to check-in they will have no booking and will have a lovely full Y fare to buy if they want to travel.

Sorry you were misinformed in the first palce abotu the flexibility of a reward ticket - the agent should really have known better to be honest.

Thanks,
Richard

[Scrooge]

What a little B%$#&h,as Richard says,I would cancel the her flight,she need's to learn a lesson in life [^]

Surely the Data Protection Act should prevent against anyone else accessing the details, except the person who made the booking?

Originally posted by locutus
Surely the Data Protection Act should prevent against anyone else accessing the details, except the person who made the booking?

You would think so! I queried this but apparently the DP Act gives HER the freedom to amend a flight in her name..or so Virgin tell me!

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by lucy

Originally posted by locutus
Surely the Data Protection Act should prevent against anyone else accessing the details, except the person who made the booking?

You would think so! I queried this but apparently the DP Act gives HER the freedom to amend a flight in her name..or so Virgin tell me!

Well you have the freedom to cancel it,your miles,your money.

Having just spoken to Virgin again, I just had to post a follow-up.

(Firstly, I don't think I made it clear the flights were Miles Plus Money, not just Miles)

Apparently, because the "alteration" to the flight has been given its own booking ref, I now cannot do anything with it-either by way of cancelling or amending. I am so annoyed as it clearly states under the FC t&cs (2.12) that only the Member or Auth User can make changes to a booking. What it doesn't say is that anyone over 15 who is named as a passenger can also do so!!!!!
So, I can't even get the taxes back.
To say I am furious is an understatement. It just seems so unfair that I can't "do " anything when it was my booking woth my card!

I am incredulous that this young woman should treat you and your offer with such disgrace. I'm also incredulous that Virgin have effectively washed their hands of this. If I were you I would consider:

- speaking with her or her parents and demanding the full value fare back
- taking her family through the small claims court
- speaking to a local journalist to see if you can shame her in print
- all of the above
- or worse [}:)]

Hope you win.

[Scrooge]

Just out of interest,what does this young ladies family say about all this?

Slinky09-I am already considering all your suggested actions!
Jetwet1-her parents have instigated the amendments-they are quite "pleased" they have got away with it!!!!

Ooh I am boiling with rage!!!!

Does sound like an all around unpleasant and unfortunate incident. At this point though, perhaps it's not worth letting it spoil your own holiday, just write it off as a loss (you were going to have spent the money/miles if she had accompanied you anyway) and thank your lucky star that you don't have to spend your hol responsible for this girl. No accounting for some people, I hope your daughter has written her off as well?

RR

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by lucy
Having just spoken to Virgin again, I just had to post a follow-up.

(Firstly, I don't think I made it clear the flights were Miles Plus Money, not just Miles)

Apparently, because the "alteration" to the flight has been given its own booking ref, I now cannot do anything with it-either by way of cancelling or amending. I am so annoyed as it clearly states under the FC t&cs (2.12) that only the Member or Auth User can make changes to a booking. What it doesn't say is that anyone over 15 who is named as a passenger can also do so!!!!!
So, I can't even get the taxes back.
To say I am furious is an understatement. It just seems so unfair that I can't "do " anything when it was my booking woth my card!

Right so its a MpM booking - you booked all the original flights at the same time, so they were all probably under the same locator (booking ref). Cheeky family of the year have decided to take the piss, and ammend the flights - so VS have split 'her' flight off the original locator and given her a new locator for her trip (which makes sense), however I am not sure how they would have matched the payment for the new locator bookign with the still existing booking - they would have seen the FOP (Form of Payment) was from a third party. Time to call up Flying Club again and def speak to a supervisor, or try going direct to customer relations - if youa re considering persuing the claim via small claims court etc, it will reflect badly on VS so I would imagine they will be inclined to do soemthing. As in reality they have used your payment for 'another' booking.

Another angle to try is to take it up with your card issuer, and get them to deal with Virgin, as I am sure it could be tantamount to theft. Would be interesting to see if they refunded the 1/6 of the original fare back and then took it straight back, or if they just applied a credit across to the 'new' booking, both would have had to go through a supervisor and ticketing, so a bit dismayed that it wasn't questioned.

Thanks,
Richard

[Decker]

What incredible chutzpah! Here's hoping you manage to get it sorted. IANAL but isn't this a police matter rather than a small claims?

Unbelievable [V]

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by Decker
isn't this a police matter rather than a small claims?

An interesting one, and without knowing the FULL facts, not easy to pass a detailed opinion on... however I am never usually slow at giving my opinion on things I don't really know about so [}:)] ....., whilst not dismissing it completely, I would err on the side of saying 'no' to it being a police matter.

When the OP 'paid' for her daughter's friend's ticket, she makes no mention of expecting payment for it.... had the trip taken place as originally been planned.

The daughter's friend can therefore reasonably say that the original ticket was a gift to her and - in that case - it is hers to do with as she pleases.

A bit like getting a Marks and Sparks jumper for your birthday present from Gran, taking it back to the shop and getting something you really want. [:I][:I]

I still think the actions of daughter's friend are reprehensible, and agree with others, who say she has taken the p*ss, big style. [V]

I also agree with Richard, and have great difficulty accepting that VS are completely blameless in this, but he has already suggested a course of action there.

These are just my initial thoughts, and should not be taken as a definitive answer to the problem.

Nick

Thanks for all your help
Nottingham Nick-They DID agree to pay for the flight(verbally of course!). There was no way I had intended to pay for it in the first place. I paid for it originally as a favour so she could benefit from my MpM and I could ensure we all got the same flight/seats together etc! They were supposed to be forwarding a cheque to me to pay for her flight.
Of course, it's a lesson learned and I understand I took a risk in making the booking(although I had very good reason at the time not to think in any way that the "promise wouldn't have been honoured)and I accept that in some ways it is my issue with her parents. However, my issue with Virgin is what concerns me most in that I genuinely thought that the flight was "safe" within my booking and that I could take action with it as I saw fit. They had indeed indicated this to me on more than one occasion.

I think I will take it further with them but feel I am hitting a brick wall. I wouldn't mind but we fly out with them pretty regularly.

Just phone up VS....... put on a 15 year olds voice and cancel the booking all together...... not entirely honest I know ... but thats life [}:)]

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by mas66
Just phone up VS....... put on a 15 year olds voice and cancel the booking all together...... not entirely honest I know ... but thats life [}:)]

Would work like a champ assuming you know the dates of the flights and the info they have on her.

Payback is a female dog [}:)] or spread nasty rumors about her to the whole town.

Anycase I assume she is traveling to the USA. Well I know if one parent (or non-guardian0 is traveling with a child to the USA that is under 18 they need permission from the other parent or parents. I wonder if DHS allows under 18s just to come on holiday all by themselves? In anycase, how would she support herself wherever the plane lands?

[mcmbenjamin]

Called some people. She would need a notarized written consent letter from both parents (or guardian) unless one or both has pass and then need a death certificate for the one that has pasted.

Maybe her family will join her but then that would be evil becuase then her parents are taking from you IMHO.

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Called some people. She would need a notarized written consent letter from both parents (or guardian) unless one or both has pass and then need a death certificate for the one that has pasted.

Maybe her family will join her but then that would be evil becuase then her parents are taking from you IMHO.

Ben, I have never been asked for anything when travelling with Aer John other than his passport and I certainly don't bring a death certificate as part of my travel documents

Originally posted by mas66
Just phone up VS....... put on a 15 year olds voice and cancel the booking all together...... not entirely honest I know ... but thats life [}:)]

I would be tempted to this also if you have all the details.

Can you not dispute the charge on your credit card?
This then forces Virgin At to contact you to say why they are charging you- opens a dialogue...

Last resort.
Tell parents that if they do not cough up the cheque to cover the money (and the miles!) then you'll sue.
It's very easy using Moneyclaim Online

Thanks for all your help with this guys.
The girl is 17, as I said on my original post - the thing about "15" stems from the fact that Virgin said anyone "over 15" can amend their flights. I have found out that she's travelling with her father who has booked his own flight (under a different ref). I have threatened to sue if I do not receive payment for the flight in 2 wks(so thanks for your link, blindman). If this doesn't work, I'll try all the dirty tactics suggested just to spoil the flight-at least there's plenty of time between now and the new flight to execute revenge!!!!!
I shan't let it rest with Virgin either. I still think they've behaved badly in this too!

[ChuckC]

lucy,
Go for the credit card option; in my opinion, that's the safest way to at least begin a dialogue. The process may take several months and this alone could be all that's necessary to move VS to action. Please keep us posted; yours is an interesting story indeed, one that could happen to any of us.

Chuck-