Can I get a better deal on flight already booked?

Hello all!

I'm in need of some experienced V-Flyer advice, here's my problem:

I booked a flight (VS20/VS19) back in October 2008 using 'Miles Plus Money'. I ended up spending 20,000 miles & $2,594.94, which I thought was good at the time I just looked today to see what the price would be for the same flight without 'Miles Plus Money', and the cost is $2193.64! Needless to say I was quite shocked [:0] when I realized not only was I out 20,000 miles, but also out $401.30!

So my question to you all is: is there a way get Virgin to let me get a better deal, or have I just been royally screwed and need to chalk this up to live and learn?

Obviously, I'm hoping to get a better deal from Virgin. Any hints and or hints on how to achieve the better deal will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
Angelica G.

[preiffer]

Hate to say it, but 'same old, same old'.

If you buy a car, and find the dealer is offering it for less in a months' time - do you expect a refund of the difference?
How about groceries? The supermarket has a sale next week - do you take your receipt in and complain, expecting the difference in that cost too?


Sorry, but this is one of the joys/pitfalls of ANY service or retail industry. Prices can go UP as well as DOWN - sometimes we gain, sometimes we lose. If you were happy with that price when you bought it (which I guess you were), you should never look back. Granted, you may see how much money you saved - buy you could equally see how much extra you paid.


You pays your money, you takes your chances. No, no comeback on VS (other than canceling for the sake of it). SOME US airlines offer forms of price guarantees in terms of vouchers for the difference, but then, VS haven't yet had to file for any bankruptcy protection unlike those entities. There's a logical argument in there somewhere [;)]


Sorry it's not better news, but no point in sugar coating it.

[honey lamb]

According to the T&Cs as outlined here in 4.3.2 no refunds are permissible so therefore you are stuck with it. You can try calling VS but my guess is that you are out of luck unfortunately

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings

quote:Originally posted by preiffer
Hate to say it, but 'same old, same old'.

If you buy a car, and find the dealer is offering it for less in a months' time - do you expect a refund of the difference?
How about groceries? The supermarket has a sale next week - do you take your receipt in and complain, expecting the difference in that cost too?


Sorry it's not better news, but no point in sugar coating it.


Of course, when you buy a car today, or do a supermarket shop, you get to take it home today.

The travel business is a different model - you pay in full now for a product that can be 'consumed' in some cases tomorrow, in some cases eleven months time.

I think a firm letter is called for here - it's been mentioned before that Miles + Money isn't that great value. I don't think it will necessarily get you anywhere, but at least you are registering your disapproval, with all those miles you have clearly flown with VS before, I would ask them 'why'. Might get them thinking...

The one thing to bear in mind is that at the time of booking - you thought the price was good. And that's really what you need to remember here - in fact, with any flight booking. Otherwise you could go mad. It just happens that the marketplace changed so airlines responded by reducing prices.

[preiffer]

quote:Originally posted by Sealink
Of course, when you buy a car today, or do a supermarket shop, you get to take it home today.

The travel business is a different model - you pay in full now for a product that can be 'consumed' in some cases tomorrow, in some cases eleven months time.
Hmmm. To take it to the extreme then, when I fill my car up with petrol - I'm 'gambling' with futures, just the same. If the petrol price goes down in the meantime I get no rebate on the fuel I'm yet to use. (Which, is the exact situation the airlines face with their hedging screw-ups thesedays [;)])

I see your point about buying into the future, but EVERYONE has the ultimate option in that respect: Buy your ticket the day before.

We don't do that, because we *believe* we'll get a better deal further out - but it's exactly that: A GAMBLE. Gambling sometimes pays off, sometimes doesn't - we all know that. (And Dave will vouch for the fact that I know that [:w])

quote:Originally posted by preiffer
Gambling sometimes pays off, sometimes doesn't - we all know that. (And Dave will vouch for the fact that I know that [:w])


My memory is a bit fuzzy but did you not turn in a pair 10's during a hand of Black Jack once[:D]

quote:Originally posted by iforres1
My memory is a bit fuzzy but did you not turn in a pair 10's during a hand of Black Jack once[:D]

'Turn in'? He split them, if that means the same as you meant [:D]

Cheers
Michael

quote:Originally posted by preiffer
[quote]Originally posted by Sealink
Of course, when you buy a car today, or do a supermarket shop, you get to take it home today.

The travel business is a different model - you pay in full now for a product that can be 'consumed' in some cases tomorrow, in some cases eleven months time.
Hmmm. To take it to the extreme then, when I fill my car up with petrol - I'm 'gambling' with futures, just the same. If the petrol price goes down in the meantime I get no rebate on the fuel I'm yet to use. (Which, is the exact situation the airlines face with their hedging screw-ups thesedays [;)])

I see your point about buying into the future, but EVERYONE has the ultimate option in that respect: Buy your ticket the day before.

We don't do that, because we *believe* we'll get a better deal further out - but it's exactly that: A GAMBLE. Gambling sometimes pays off, sometimes doesn't - we all know that. (And Dave will vouch for the fact that I know that [:w])


Exactly - I think we're making the same point in a different way. [8D]

Which brings me back to my golden rule - at the time of booking, with the price I pay and the dates I pick, do I feel happy with the price? If not, then it's time to play the waiting game and hope for a seat sale, which is the gamble, or, if I am happy then I book, happy in the knowledge that I'm getting a good price and my travel plans finalised. And I think that leads to the V-Flyer Golden Rule:

[^] Never go back and check the fares again... [^]

(I always do...)

Oh so do I! But why?????[?][:?]

On Monday of this week I phoned FC & asked them to reserve a particular seat both outbound & return, on particular dates, in a particular class.

This they did & held the flight 'til 9pm Thursday evening as the agent I spoke to said that the price MIGHT change after that. I felt this was most helpful.

I was 90% sure that all would be ok but I had to take my dad to a hospital appointment, so thought best get that out of the way in case I had to take him for another appointment when I was hoping to be away.
I phoned FC after 8.30pm on Thursday & confirmed my flight & apid.

Today I 'notice' (no, I looked it up- why?????) that the price has DECREASED by £17. For the convenience of holding the seats for 4 days on the dates, class & times I really wanted, £17 is no money. If I had tried to get my longed for seat I might have been unlucky.

The longer you belong to the V-Flyer site the more you learn, trust me[}:)]

Happy flying[:)]
R-P

Oh dear Roxy-Popsy.....that'll mean a few less cocktails for you then[:0][8D]

Thank you all for your most honest (albeit brutal[B)]) replies. I know I shouldn't have looked at the prices again once I booked, but I didÉ Shame on me! You all have made valid points that I will keep in mind every time I book.[:I]

I do however feel better ~ On Saturday I found a slip of paper dated in early October '08, in which I had jotted down the current prices with and without 'Miles Plus Money'. The price without 'Miles Plus Money' was @ $3,600.00 and with @ $2,700.00, so I'm feeling much betterÉand I won't look at the prices again![V]

If possible, this thread can be closed. Thank you all again![oo]

Hi Angelica[:)]

I forgot to say that I do so hope you have a great flight.[y]

It is a darn nuisance when one finds a reduction in price but, there again it COULD have increased, in theory.
You obtained what you wanted, that's important.

And as for you Sunshine, who's been spilling the beans over me & cocktails[:?][:p]