Cancelling non refundable air tickets

[FlossieLondon]

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.

Yeah, but the flights are only a small part of the six days.
Plus family there to help once in USA.
Why wouldn't you take him?

I felt sorry for you in your first thread, and feel sorry for you now.

I think any guilt your mum feels is not your fault. The original arrangements were completely reasonable and it's not down to you or your mum that those commitments can't be fulfilled. I also still think your sister wasn't as kind as she could have been and if I was in your position I would be thinking twice about helping her in the future.

I really hope you get on that flight. I'm sure DS will be bearable. Keep us updated.

But it seems now that OP didn't want to take her son due to ex being there, & that was also why she was determined to be there herself.

Whereas many would just have accepted it as not doable & husband would have gone alone.

I mean really, if you were worried about behaviour on a flight, why would you leave your kid with someone for 6 days??

If it's stressing you out and upsetting you this much just stick flights for you and DS on a credit card (assuming you have means to pay it off over 12 months).

Sorry diddl where does OP suggest that she did not want DS there due to the ex being there? I can see that others have cunningly read between the lines and suggested that but not where OP says this. Do you mean she was worried DS would embarrass her or something? I have RTFT but clearly missed something

I would worry about DD on a flight (boredom factor) but would not worry about her with my mum.

Maybe it's not due to the ex, but taking you kid for six days with both parents shouldn't really cause such angst!

No but then taking advantage of 6 days child free with a loving GP to care for him is not to be judged so harshly (as some have) either.

If OP had posted a thread saying "DBIL is getting married in the USA, it is an 8 hour flight which he will hate and we will only be gone for 6 days, WIBU to leave him with my DM who he adores and sees regularly" it would have been a pretty unanimous YANBU (with a few "I could not leave my DC for so long but YABU if you are ok with it" thrown in) I expect.

*last YABU should have been YANBU

But if you know your son is hard work, you wouldn't leave them with someone else for six days IMO.

I'm just not sure how to take the "son is hard work" bit. I think OP is new to MN and sometimes on MN it seems to to admit your child is a typical 3 year old is akin to admitting that you need social services involvement. I don't think OP has actually suggested much more than typical threenager behaviour. And again, my mother could definitely cope with DD even on her best dramaqueen days and would love to have her - it would not cross my mind that leaving her with mum was not reasonable (nor my mum's who would be thrilled).

My mum has just today offered to pay for DH and I to go away together while she has the kids! LOVE HER!

Ha, my mum used to leave the three of us with our nana for a week at a time, it was the only break she got as dad worked away, and though we were all nightmares, believe me when I say we were good for nana and grandad. And honestly, we were more than hard work. Ages 3, 4 and 6 at the time with assorted SN.

I wouldn't judge anyone for having a break from their kids if they are left with loving relatives.

Hi

Can you ask the airline to put the money on the ticket on a thing the airlines call an MCO/MPD it's like a credit note it works both ways passenger is able to use the money at a layer date for another flight and the airline doesn't loose out as they still keep the money - you may have appeal to their better nature?!

Just a thought

P

Can you change your sons name to your name by deed poll? Then he can use your ticket without needing to change it.

This exact situation is why DH and I have the same name, and dd also has that name. Don't worry, it's unisex.

Bubble, she would then need to get a new passport for her son, and presumably visas too. And the trip is in a fortnight.

bubble is that true? It's admirable in a sort of completely bonkers way.

I have an idea...
If everyone who has written on this thread pays the OP £1 via Paypal, that should more than cover the cost of the ticket and save everyone the stress and the addiction to reading the fascinating threads
Doesn't solve the ex being there and the lost opportunity, but hey, I am not Glenda the Good Witch.

Why should I pay the OP £1? I would rather give it to a good cause.

Slithy, you can get passport in one day can't you
Caitlin, Ashley Wilson
Catsize, no

Bubble, yea you can get a passport in one day, but how long does it take to get a name change first, and a visa after, all the while hoping there is another flight for OP to take.
Seems logistically very difficult.

Bubble - passport in 1 day this time of year?! You're more likely to see a flying pig.

Don't you have to enter date of birth when you book a flight? I'm thinking DS might struggle to pass for a 20/30 year old.

My name change was instant as far as I recall. Just went for an appointment and they did it there.

Sorry didn't know it was a funny time of year for passports. That does explain all the passport threads lately.

Catsize?

Bubble almost summer, rush on?!