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Old 23 Nov 21, 11:41 AM  
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#11
Bootrip2
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I wonder how OP has got on with sorting this as it is interesting for those who book outside the 11 months when flights are actually available to get a confirmed price.
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Old 24 Nov 21, 05:43 PM  
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rafjen
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Exactly the same happen to us for our May 2020 planned trip. We argued for days with them- escalating to managers etc . Tried to cancel and got told no as direct to indirect is not a material change according to their terms and conditions. We got nowhere. When the trip was cancelled it took 10 months for a refund. They said the flights were pre allocation and it depended on what Virgin gave them and basically tough. From now all all trips are booked independently.

Hope you get on better- please let us know if you get a resolution.
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Old 25 Nov 21, 08:05 PM  
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#13
aqualiv
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Out of date range flights can be a bit of a nightmare
Basically the fare is worked out on past flights at the same time with a slight mark up
What they should have done was told you that prices are subject to change as flights aren’t actually released yet

They should not be trying to get you to accept an indirect unless you are happy with this change

A good company would be constantly checking the flights and have the release date diarised to go on Galileo or what ever system they use and getting you the seats as soon as they are released to ensure the best price
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Old 25 Nov 21, 08:07 PM  
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Some companies do get allocation on flights but that is usually released a lot earlier than 11 months with the cost more guaranteed
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Old 25 Nov 21, 10:30 PM  
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Originally Posted by Bootrip2 View Post
I wonder how OP has got on with sorting this as it is interesting for those who book outside the 11 months when flights are actually available to get a confirmed price.
Thanks for your message.
I took a few days to compose my email and sent it on Sunday. (21st) it’s really hard to be firm without sounding stroppy. I asked that it was escalated to a senior manager as I’m already dealing with a manager. I basically said i wasn’t told indirect and the fact that virgin aren’t releasing the seats at the price they estimated it’s their issue and I still want my direct virgin flight!
As soon as I have an update I’ll let you guys know.
Hopefully it’ll be soon.
Ddd
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Old 26 Nov 21, 06:38 PM  
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#16
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I hope you get a satisfactory answer, is Virgin a must, or would you consider BA just to get the flight direct?
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Old 26 Nov 21, 06:49 PM  
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cornishfrogboy
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I really struggle with why people use Travel Agents at all, when going to a location that they are familiar with. There are currently good t’s and c’s re cancellation with airlines, hotels and car hire companies to make use of if necessary.

The truth would seem to be that they know no more than anybody else, book at 330 days from the return flights are available just like anybody else and at the same prices as anybody else. They seem to make promises on flights based upon no facts whatever and then wriggle when they can’t deliver what they promised.

Unlike anybody else who has booked things themselves, they seem to struggle with getting money refunded and then will not release that money to the customer until they have recovered every element of said vacation.. hence the delays.

I prefer control and cutting out middlemen in the process whenever possible. I buy EXACTLY what I want and research every element individually in order to drive down the price, frequently cancelling and rebooking both hotels and car hires when better prices become available.
Between booking the elements initially and then travelling, I generally save several hundred further pounds by using this simple tactic.

I have had to cancel 3 x multi city, multi car hire and multi internal flight vacations since March of 2020 and have recovered every Penny of 65 separate purchases.. the later two within 3 weeks. I would not have achieved that through a travel agent.
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Edited at 06:55 PM.
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Old 26 Nov 21, 07:21 PM  
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#18
aqualiv
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Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy View Post
I really struggle with why people use Travel Agents at all, when going to a location that they are familiar with. There are currently good t’s and c’s re cancellation with airlines, hotels and car hire companies to make use of if necessary.

The truth would seem to be that they know no more than anybody else, book at 330 days from the return flights are available just like anybody else and at the same prices as anybody else. They seem to make promises on flights based upon no facts whatever and then wriggle when they can’t deliver what they promised.

Unlike anybody else who has booked things themselves, they seem to struggle with getting money refunded and then will not release that money to the customer until they have recovered every element of said vacation.. hence the delays.

I prefer control and cutting out middlemen in the process whenever possible. I buy EXACTLY what I want and research every element individually in order to drive down the price, frequently cancelling and rebooking both hotels and car hires when better prices become available.
Between booking the elements initially and then travelling, I generally save several hundred further pounds by using this simple tactic.

I have had to cancel 3 x multi city, multi car hire and multi internal flight vacations since March of 2020 and have recovered every Penny of 65 separate purchases.. the later two within 3 weeks. I would not have achieved that through a travel agent.

The thing is the good agents are worth their weight in gold!
I will give you some personal examples based on my time in the industry both as a high street agent, working for a large luxury tour operator and now as a travel business owner

Clients of ours flew to the Maldives - they were too late for their seaplane transfers due to the flight being delayed
We were there for them and within the hour they were on a five star island a speed boat transfer away having dinner and were booked onto the next available seaplane the next morning
People who had booked themselves were on their own and would have had to find last min accommodation on the overcrowded male or sleep in the airport

I have helped countless honeymooners get amazing upgrades and freebies through our connections and relationships with resorts

I had young clients mugged whilst in Mexico
So whilst out hiking I was in contact with them and the resort arranging escort to the police station and back so they could file a report and arranged an earlier flight home for them

Clients can usually get their agent on the phone within a few mins or send a quick email
Has the response been as good from the airlines? Not in my experience


I think you are in the minority as you plan and book quite complex itineraries

I recently organised a great usa road trip for a friend who only knew she wanted to go to nyc so I made suggestions and she now has an amazing trip that she is looking forward to all of which is fully cancelable and amendable

All of this was sourced using hotels we get great rates on and at a very competitive price

I myself booked my hotel just outside Disney springs for half the cost that Expedia is offering it for!

I could go on! Might add more as I remember them

A few bad companies are out there like any other industry but especially through the pandemic
I think people have seen the true value of using a reliable agent
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Old 26 Nov 21, 07:35 PM  
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#19
cornishfrogboy
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Originally Posted by aqualiv View Post
The thing is the good agents are worth their weight in gold!
I will give you some personal examples based on my time in the industry both as a high street agent, working for a large luxury tour operator and now as a travel business owner

Clients of ours flew to the Maldives - they were too late for their seaplane transfers due to the flight being delayed
We were there for them and within the hour they were on a five star island a speed boat transfer away having dinner and were booked onto the next available seaplane the next morning
People who had booked themselves were on their own and would have had to find last min accommodation on the overcrowded male or sleep in the airport

I have helped countless honeymooners get amazing upgrades and freebies through our connections and relationships with resorts

I had young clients mugged whilst in Mexico
So whilst out hiking I was in contact with them and the resort arranging escort to the police station and back so they could file a report and arranged an earlier flight home for them

Clients can usually get their agent on the phone within a few mins or send a quick email
Has the response been as good from the airlines? Not in my experience


I think you are in the minority as you plan and book quite complex itineraries

I recently organised a great usa road trip for a friend who only knew she wanted to go to nyc so I made suggestions and she now has an amazing trip that she is looking forward to all of which is fully cancelable and amendable

All of this was sourced using hotels we get great rates on and at a very competitive price

I myself booked my hotel just outside Disney springs for half the cost that Expedia is offering it for!

I could go on! Might add more as I remember them

A few bad companies are out there like any other industry but especially through the pandemic
I think people have seen the true value of using a reliable agent
And many have found that other companies, both Travel Agent and Airline with formerly blue chip reputations on the DIBB turned out to have ethics, morals and standards of customer service lower than the testicles of a python… breaking consumer protection law as and when it suited them… 120 days plus for a flight refund that should legally be given within 7 working days anybody?

Yes, there are no doubt some excellent Travel Agents. Time has proven that there are also some utter snakes.. and that is why I would sooner trust myself.. particularly with USA vacations. Areas with which I am less familiar may be a different matter.
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2005 onwards.. lots of times!

Index of all my Trip and Pretrip reports..https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...6#post15662196

Edited at 07:37 PM.
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Old 26 Nov 21, 07:41 PM  
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#20
aqualiv
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Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy View Post
And many have found that other companies, both Travel Agent and Airline with formerly blue chip reputations on the DIBB turned out to have ethics, morals and standards of customer service lower than the testicles of a python… breaking consumer protection law as and when it suited them… 120 days plus for a flight refund that should legally be given within 7 working days anybody?

Yes, there are no doubt some excellent Travel Agents. Time has proven that there are also some utter snakes.. and that is why I would sooner trust myself.. particularly with USA vacations. Areas with which I am less familiar may be a different matter.

Agree, there have been some shocking companies through this pandemic
I’m actually helping a friend who booked Morocco through tui
She’s due to go in one week! But Morocco aren’t currently allowing flights from the U.K. in
Tui keep stating they don’t know as flights are still due to go
She can’t organise anything else so is in limbo
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