Would you pay £500 to change flights?

[Thomasina76]

Booked flights to go to Greece for half term. I stupidly booked a really late flight back on Sunday 3rd June (11.30pm which lands at 1.30/1.45) as it was so much cheaper so means that the kids (9 and 7) will be exhausted the next day at school or possibly even have to miss a day. Really don't want them to miss a day of school and hate keeping them up so late (they will be really tired) so thinking of changing to earlier flight but the total cost is around £500. Earlier flight is around midday so so much better. Just wondered if others would pay £500 for a better flight time or just stick to the later one and have the kids tired and possilby missing a day of school. They have not missed school before but the school is fairly relaxed anyway (other kids have missed weeks!)

Should add that I boought the flights ages ago in a sort of panic, hence why i didn't think timings through.

No way, I'd just keep them off school the next day.

I wouldn't, the chances are you could pay to swap to an earlier flight & then that gets delayed anyway.

I wouldn't pay. You'll get nearly a whole day extra holiday flying late. Worry about the tiredness when u get back...They could go to school at lunch. Though kids are surprisingly resilient and they'll probably be fine.

No. I'd let school know I'm taking a day unauthorised absence.

And we have done overnight flights home from the Caribbean loads of times, arriving early morning and the DD's still went into school that day.

Ask yourself if it is worth £500 to have children less tired for a day. Probably not.

They'll probably sleep on the plane and on the way back from the airport, won't they?

I'd keep them off school the next day and say the flight was delayed if questioned. Even if you get a fine, it will be less than £500!

Thanks so much all. That confirms it. I also have a terrible fear of flying so was wondering if an earlier flight would be better but really don't think it will make any difference. And yes, hadn't thought about the extra holiday!

Have a great holiday. We go at half term too x

Thanks Sunnyday, you too! We never usually go in the May half term and first time ever that we have done all inclusive so no cooking, shopping, washing-up etc - yay!!

I have done this. We got home at nearly 03.00am. I got them up and sent them to school. Early that evening, early bed and they were back in the routine. This was before the unauthorised attendance malarkey.
I certainly wouldn't pay 500 quid more!

It is Saturday 3rd June - if that's what you've booked you have a whole day to recover from the late flight...

Tell school you'd booked the earlier flight but missed it due to traffic/flight overbooked/engine trouble.

Half term? My dc only went back to school today.

Sorry, it's the Sunday 4th we are booked on (I think!). We're going Sunday to Sunday.