HELP-Stuck in IAD

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting on this forum, although I've been reading it frequently for some time - its great to stay up to speed with things like UC suite roll out and fleet moves.

I wonder if someone might be able to give me some advice...

I find myself stuck in Washington - my boss signed off a z class ticket for me - returning 29/08 - but I'd really like to get home earlier (its now 26/08). I called the US FC number but got a really surly woman (distinctly un-Virgin) who just told me basically to s*d off. I realise z is a pretty scummy ticket class, but does anyone have any ideas how I might be able to get onto an earlier flight - perhaps someone knows a number I could call at the airport to speak to them, or maybe I should just pack up and go out there....?

Any help would be so appreciated. I've been here too long and want to get back to old blighty![:(]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Z tickets are cheap therefore they are very unflexable..

If this was a business trip D or ideally J is the one to go for as J is fully flexable.
the O/W on Z is unchangable usually but the return leg is changable subject to availability( in Z) and fees.
I'm sure others can advise on what the fees are as ive never needed to do it..

In case it doesn't work, can I suggest that anyone who knows DC recommend some things to do over the weekend!

Depending how desperate you are, if all else fails there's always the option of buying yourself an EC ticket home.

I had this same problem in Miami a couple of years ago. However, I was in the Airport at the time and checked with the ticket desk and they changed my ticket (as there were seats available) and the charge was £75.00 for the change over.

Like I said though I was at the airport, so I guess if you go out to IAD on the day you want to leave, you may be lucky to get a change (check the availability tool!!).

Matt

I was in a similar position recently in DC. I booked a ticket on the trolley tour and spent the day hopping on and off. Not the most enthralling day but you get to see some of the sites. As for the second day you are there, Good Luck, it is not the most exciting of cities.

Let me know the code in the fare basis box as well as any code in the tourcode/dealcode box. Also let me know the full original routing as detailed on the ticket. Any 6 didgit reference of the booking will be great plus confirmation of your surname. With this I'll be able to take a good look for you and see what can be done if anything.

Due to some of the details, may be worth replying with this info as a private message

Cheers

Daffy

Thanks everyone for your kind suggestions - you're right about IAD, not my fave US city, but if I can't make it back early - I'll just have to check out the aviation museum - I last did it when I was a nipper, here with my parents. I might also take a trolley bus, or just sit near the Potomac watching the crazy arrival path the aircraft take into National!

Matt, you mentioned the availability tool - what's that?

Thanks to all.

[Bazz]

The Availability Tool is a downloadable piece of freeware that allows you to check capacity on different aircraft by route, flight number, etc.

If you do a search for either 'Availability Tool' or 'Mathias' you should find a link to the site. BTW, Mathias is the owner of the software.

I will never fly another airline again! I'm writing this from the UC Lounge at IAD, I arrived at the airport at 1530, my dog eared z class ticket in hand, in the hope of getting waitlisted for what I had heard was a pretty full flight and explained to the UC check in staff that I really needed to get home. A quick behind the scenes discussion later, I was given seat 5K.

This is exactly the kind of flexibility and humanity that makes VS the best airline in the world. Cover Girl is sitting on the tarmac just yards away to take me home.

Thanks to all of you for your replies to my post, in particular to you Daffy for your assistance - really appreciated.

Happy flying!

Great news! Hope you have / had a good flight back.

Excellent news - that's the VS we all know & love

Cheers

Michael

[Bazz]

Well done AU Flyer, seems like a big thank you to Daffy as well