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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cancelling non refundable air tickets

234 replies

FlossieLondon · 22/05/2014 10:01

It is looking inceasingly like I won't be able to go the States with my husband for a family wedding, as I have to stay home to care for our son. (See previous thread.)

We've been on to the airline to cancel my tickets (to reclaim tax) to be told that this can't be done for one person on the booking - it is both of us or nothing. We can't do that my husband is best man, he needs to go out on the flight we booked.

After a lot of pleading the airline has finally agreed to cancel my ticket if I want, but the admin fee means that we only get a few pounds back. This is only a matter of changing the booking on a computer? What the hell? I am bloody furious.

Keeping the ticket for the moment... hoping and praying that another seat will become available so our son can come with us.

OP posts:
PeppermintInfusion · 22/05/2014 10:03

Do you already have travel insurance? If so, could you make some sort of claim on that?

moldingsunbeams · 22/05/2014 10:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

moldingsunbeams · 22/05/2014 10:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
FlossieLondon · 22/05/2014 10:10

I can't claim travel insurance for being unable to find childcare while away. The whole history of this mess is on the other thread, for those who haven't seen it.

I got a kicking on that and I probably will on this but what the hell? We're going to lose a considerable amount of money because of what's happened so strangers criticising me doesn't even come close, but the few who were kind at a time when I was so upset I didn't think about what I was writing meant so much.

OP posts:
Original poster
FlossieLondon · 22/05/2014 10:11

My son is three.

OP posts:
gordyslovesheep · 22/05/2014 10:13

can you not just take your son with you?

ikeaismylocal · 22/05/2014 10:15

I'd hold onto it incase there is a last min cancellation and your ds can go with you. How last minute are you willing to leave it?

DejaVuAllOverAgain · 22/05/2014 10:17

No seats on the flight gordy

OP YANBU to be pissed off that the airline isn't going to refund it would annoy me to especially as I doubt they'll have too many problems selling it to someone else.

gordyslovesheep · 22/05/2014 10:18

that seems very unfair :( can you transfer with your son to a later flight or an earlier one? at least then you will get to be together for the wedding

moldingsunbeams · 22/05/2014 10:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gamerchick · 22/05/2014 10:18

You got roasted because you wanted your sister to cancel her break or your mother to risk her job to provide you with childcare.

It's very unfair that you can't get some sort of refund in your ticket though.. especially as they can sell that seat again.

If you're only going to get a few quid back it might make more sense to hang on to see if a seat crops up for your son. Ignoring your other thread I really do hope you can all go.

DejaVuAllOverAgain · 22/05/2014 10:19

I mean refund of the taxes not the whole ticket cost. When you book a non refund ticket it's the chance you take.

I do think that you're best hanging on just in case if you're not going to get your money back.

Original poster
FlossieLondon · 22/05/2014 10:22

without a refund we can't afford to rebook on to other flights, and of course we can't send a three year old on his own.

OP posts:
Annianni · 22/05/2014 10:22

Can you not use those tickets for you and your ds, and book a different flight for your dh?

juneau · 22/05/2014 10:23

I would just show up for the flight with your DS. I've flown standby a number of times (my sister used to work for BA), and there are always people who miss a connecting flight or just don't show up for some reason. I'm willing to bet that you'll get on the flight if you're there at the head of the queue. I've got onto 'fully booked' flights loads of times.

juneau · 22/05/2014 10:30

A couple of tips for being more likely to get on the flight:

  1. Speak to the airline now about flying standby and find out their policy:
  2. Be super, super polite and nice to all the ground staff you deal with (hopefully having a DC with you will work in your favour);
  3. Dress nicely - you don't have to be dolled up to the nines - but if you're looking smart-ish and wearing a bit of make-up you might be upgraded if they only have seats available in another class.

Good luck!

anyoldname76 · 22/05/2014 10:32

Why don't you book another flight for your dh and you use the 2 tickets you've already got? I don't know how much it will cost in transferring the ticket though.

PeterParkerSays · 22/05/2014 10:33

If he's only 3, does he need his own seat or, at a push, could he sit on your / DH's knee for the flight?

I know that you'd probably prefer to gouge your eyes out, with the length of a flight to America, but it would get him on the plane with you.

moldingsunbeams · 22/05/2014 10:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
FlossieLondon · 22/05/2014 10:33

We can't change the names on the tickets we have.

My husband doesn't want us to show up for the flight with my son in case they can't let him on. It's cruel to build his hopes up to think he is coming with us to find that he can't.

The only possible scenario I can think is to take him, saying we are going to say goodbye to Daddy and then if he can't go we go home. If he does get on it can be a surprise.

OP posts:
moldingsunbeams · 22/05/2014 10:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
FlossieLondon · 22/05/2014 10:36

No lap children over 2 - he has to have a seat.

OP posts:
Original poster
FlossieLondon · 22/05/2014 10:38

The tickets are non-refundable, non changeable. The airline won't budge unless we go up to business class and we don't have the money.

OP posts:
ItIsAnIdeasGame · 22/05/2014 10:40

O still can't believe that you got roasted. My sister would have helped me. I would definitely help her. I'm do sorry for the stress that all this is causing you. [Brew]

Drquin · 22/05/2014 10:40

Right, work it through practically .....

If it's a non-refundable ticket, that's the deal. You could apply for a tax refund, but if there's an "admin" charge how much are you actually going to get back?
That then determines, presumably, whether you can afford to buy a third ticket?

So, you either can afford a third ticket, or you have to accept you lose out of your seat.

So, two options for the third ticket. You can't send your child alone, so you either buy a third ticket for the same flight as the two of you for him; or you change the name of your or DH ticket to child's name, then buy a new ticket on a different flight for that adult.
Or, third option is as suggested above - take your chances and do nothing now, and turn up on the day looking to buy a stand-by ticket for your child. Fair chance it would work out, as long as you're happy with what happens if not (basically you and child go home).