Cancelling airport transfers with Virgin & booking a towncar.

[Andrew2005]

Hi All,

Another question from me !

We have got transfers booked with Virgin to our hotel (the Caribbean Beach Resort) when we arrive in Orlando on 20/10/2005, but we're thinking of splashing out and booking a transfer with a towncar company - mainly so we go straight to our hotel, and can make a stop at a supermarket to stock up with snacks and drinks for the evenings.

Could anyone tell me - would we be best telling virgin before we travel that we don't need a transfer, or can we just tell them when we arrive? Do we have to collect any documents etc. from them when we arrive at the airport?

Thanks again for all the help and advice I've received since I found this board!! What did people use to do before the internet was around !!

 

[Englands Disney Gang]

YES YES YES!!...Please let them know prior to going you dont need the transfers we have just returned from Caribbean Beach and used the transfer coach...unfortuantly another family had booked it aswell and decided to hire a car instead but did not tell Virgin we spent 1hour 25mins at Orlando airport sitting on the coach whilst the Virgin rep was looking for them!!. We saw them at Caribbean Beach once and gave a filthy look!!. It was awful having young children sitting on the coach going nowhere after the plane journey!!..so please tell them before going so they can just delete you off the list. (you also get transfer vouchers when your tickets arrive so you will know if they dont turn up they have taken you off the list!!)

 

[tink too]

FYI - They might charge you a fee for changing your booking. I would double-check with them first, before telling them to cancel your tranfers off your booking completely. Sorry if this puts you off - but just wanted you to be aware of the possibility. Fingers crossed that there is no extra charge!

 

[Andrew2005]

Thanks for that - we'll certainly let virgin know we won't be needing the transfers, and we'll check with them first!

 

[Englands Disney Gang]

HI
They wont charge if you tell them in advance!

 

[Andrew2005]

That's good news - we'll give them a ring tomorrow!

 

[Soprano]

HI
They wont charge if you tell them in advance!

I hope you are right

I am finding out Virgin want to charge a £25 admin fee for even the most minor changes to a holiday which is 5 months away.

I have been quite put off booking with Virgin again due to their rubbish Indian call centres giving me wrong information, slow replies to emails and their admin fees.

 

[Englands Disney Gang]

I am sorry to hear that you have had problems with Virgin Soprano. Its been the opposite for me....I had to rearrange my whole holiday due to my father having a heart attack. Virgin were brilliant and under the circumstances did not charge any administration costs (only the extra for the dates as we changed it from June to September). We then ADDED the transfers as originally we were hiring a car (not through Virgin) and again no charge!. Transfers are part of the package and are free so there should be no charge.If they do try to charge ask for an explanation why when you are actually deleting the transfers I am sure they wont charge and will appreciate that you have told them as when we were waiting on the bus the Virgin rep informed us that this had happened a few times this year with families not attending the transfers and that the reps had put in a complaint about it. I cannot fault Virgin at all as I had many phone calls with them when I had to change dates. They rang me back when they said they would and tried lots of different dates to get the right price for me. They had patience and were understanding and thats what I needed at the time!!

 

[Andrew2005]

We phoned up Virgin today, to arrange to cancel the transfers, and there was no charge, although the person we spoke to did say we wouldn't get any refund - which we knew anyhow.

One tip we were given a little while ago by someone at Virgin Holidays, was when you phone up, press the key for a new booking instead of updating an existing one - that way you get put through to someone in the UK, and the wait isn't half as long.

 

[tink too]

I am finding out Virgin want to charge a £25 admin fee for even the most minor changes to a holiday which is 5 months away.

We have been told that we will have a £25 admin fee per person - for changing dates for a holiday 15 months away! I couldn't believe it - they don't make up flight schedules until 11 months out anyway!

 

[WaT05]

I am doing exactly the same thing as Andrew booking a town car instead does anyone have a phone number to ring Virgin to cancel my transfers or is it possible to email and if so whats the address

Thanks

 

[Andrew2005]

The phone number is 0870 220 2788

And if you press the option for a new booking (1?) you'll get through to someone in this country, and a lot quicker too!

 

[Englands Disney Gang]

Glad tou didnt get charge....but I knew you would not get a refund as the transfers are free so not paid by you.
They never charged me when I changed dates although I did explain the circumstances about my dad. I always press 1 when phoning I think thats starting to become quite common knowledge now
Have a lovely holiday Andrew and I really hope Virgin give the service that we got.....brilliant!!. We flew with them for the first time this year after being with Travel City and its certainly worth that extra money!

 

[Andrew2005]

Thanks - not long to go now - 3 weeks and 2 days !!!

 

[Englands Disney Gang]

You will love Carribean Beach Andrew.....This time last week I was there
Please if you see Joanne who works behind the outside bar (she has long dark hair) please tell her Jane & Dougy say hello and we are missing her cocktails!!
Have a wonderful time and enjoy every moment we will certainly be going back!!

 

[Andrew2005]

I certainly will