Traveling to Japan following the earthquake [airline rebooking fees] - Page 2

musa361 · #21 15.03.2011, 10:26

	Quote:	Snoopy
	The British Foreign Office is now warning to stay away from that region unless necessary: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...-oceania/japan Given that Virgin is a British airline, they may start to become a little more amenable.

So I thought about Virgin Atlantic, how wrong I was. While some other airlines are waiving their fee, they insist in charging an exuberant money.

I am afraid morals don't come into this. So long as it is legal, they are not going to change their policy.

musa361 · #22 15.03.2011, 11:12

	Quote:
	I would make them very aware that than any delays on their part would be heavily penalised by you. Make sure you pay with a Credit Card, this way it's not yolu directly who attacks but the credit card company If you have paid withg a credit card, it maybe possible to cancel due to "unforseen circumstances" by asking the Credit card to do chargeback on your card. Best bet would be phone them and see. Anyway, going to Japan at this time unless it's for a humanitarian cause is about as much use as a vegitarian tiger

I agree. I don't want to travel to a danger zone due to the nuclear crisis and shortage of electricity and food are disrupting the whole of the country. Even if I travel day after tomorrow, I will be stranded at the airport as Narita Airport Express service is still suspended.

#23 15.03.2011, 11:43

	Quote:	musa361
	I'm not prepared to pay CHF250 to change my travel arrangements so I don't have to travel to a danger zone due to the nuclear crisis and shortage of electricity and food are disrupting the whole of the country. I expect the airline to pick up the tab.

Fixed that for you

Deep Purple · #24 15.03.2011, 14:15

The latest advice from the UK Foreign Office is not to travel to Tokyo and N.E. Japan unless essential.

#25 15.03.2011, 14:24

Lufthansa has canceled his flights to japan due to the nuclear threat so I am sure other companies will cancel soon enough

musa361 · #26 15.03.2011, 14:58

	Quote:	Angela-74
	Lufthansa has canceled his flights to japan due to the nuclear threat so I am sure other companies will cancel soon enough

Thank you for letting me know. I also just learned from CNN that abnormal radiation level detected in the Capital. I will be monitoring this closely too.

musa361 · #27 15.03.2011, 15:01

	Quote:	Deep Purple
	The latest advice from the UK Foreign Office is not to travel to Tokyo and N.E. Japan unless essential.

I just learned from CNN that abnormal radiation level was detected in the capital. I'll keep my eyes on this site for more update. Thanks again, Deep Purple.

musa361 · #28 15.03.2011, 15:06

	Quote:	weejeem
	Fixed that for you

To me, it's is about the morality, not money. While some other major airlines are offering to reschedule this week's flights free of charge out of good will, why can't Virgin Atlantic do the same?

Deep Purple · #29 15.03.2011, 15:38

I just had a thought. Were Virgin making a charge because you pre-empted the situation and asked to reschedule?

It seems from their website that if they cancel you can reschedule without a charge. As all flights appear to be cancelled it may be worth asking again.

musa361 · #30 15.03.2011, 15:51

	Quote:	Deep Purple
	I just had a thought. Were Virgin making a charge because you pre-empted the situation and asked to reschedule? It seems from their website that if they cancel you can reschedule without a charge. As all flights appear to be cancelled it may be worth asking again.

Yes, I made an enquiry what cost would be involved if I wanted to reschedule, but I haven't actually done that yet. I thought I'll explore all options before committing to pay such a high charge. Like you said it is also my understanding that they will reschedule without charge if they cancel my flight, but there is also the hidden expensive cost called "seasonal supplement" which pushes the price up and I am forced to pay for that, unfortunately.

summergirl · #31 15.03.2011, 15:53

	Quote:	musa361
	I agree. I don't want to travel to a danger zone due to the nuclear crisis and shortage of electricity and food are disrupting the whole of the country.

Sigh....as I said before, it is NOT disrupting the WHOLE of the country!

You make it sound like Japan is a complete war zone. Let's not be overly dramatic. It is with such false statements that incorrect rumors spread and can cause unneccessary concern and even panick to people who pick up on every single word they read.

But as many airlines websites already state, do not travel to the Kanto region unless absolutely necessary, but that would be common sense by now.

#32 15.03.2011, 17:37

	Quote:	summergirl
	Sigh....as I said before, it is NOT disrupting the WHOLE of the country! You make it sound like Japan is a complete war zone. Let's not be overly dramatic. It is with such false statements that incorrect rumors spread and can cause unneccessary concern and even panick to people who pick up on every single word they read. But as many airlines websites already state, do not travel to the Kanto region unless absolutely necessary, but that would be common sense by now.

Tokyo is getting jittery. Stores are emptying, and people who can afford to leave are leaving.... Long lines are appearing outside drug stores. City-panic is not a pretty sight. This is first-hand report from a friend there, and not CNN.

STAY AWAY FROM TOKYO!!!

I understand the south is still okay. Let's hope the wind does not blow in that direction.

musa361 · #33 17.03.2011, 20:54

Four hours to go before the departure, Virgin Atlantic informed me that I was "qualified' for a full refund if I didn't want to travel today.

I just wanted to thank those who wrote to give me helpful tips.

Deep Purple · #34 17.03.2011, 21:06

	Quote:	musa361
	Four hours to go before the departure, Virgin Atlantic informed me that I was "qualified' for a full refund if I didn't want to travel today. I just wanted to thank those who wrote to give me helpful tips.

I'm glad it has been resolved for you. Hope you get out there later when the situation is more stable.

musa361 · #35 17.03.2011, 21:12

	Quote:	Deep Purple
	I'm glad it has been resolved for you. Hope you get out there later when the situation is more stable.

Thanks Deep Purple. Now I have lots of souvenir chocolates to unpack...

Deep Purple · #36 17.03.2011, 21:14

	Quote:	musa361
	Thanks Deep Purple. Now I have lots of souvenir chocolates to unpack...

Well, every cloud has a silver lining. More for you

musa361 · #37 17.03.2011, 21:19

	Quote:	Deep Purple
	Well, every cloud has a silver lining. More for you

I just can't wait to visit Japan again.