Changing booked holiday dates?

[kirstenjet]

Hii,
I wondered if anyone knows if it's possible to change your holiday dates by a week? I've booked with Virgin holidays to go on the 14th Nov but something personal has come up and I might need to put it back a week.
Has anyone had to do this or even knows if it's possible? I'm going to phone Virgin monday but I think the wait will kill me! I realise if I can it will cost.

Thanks for any advice,
Zoe

 

[Goofyish]

THis is what it ways on the Virgin Holidays website:

If, after our confirmation Invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be from the person who made the Booking or your Travel Agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge, for each person and any further cost we incur in making this alteration. You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. For Cruise Bookings also see Clause 7 (b).

I think the amendment fee is £20 per person.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

They are normally vey helpful. In fact, if you look at our final invoice, it's Amend 12 that's because a whole host of different reasons - changing the holiday dates from September to October; then changing the hotels because one of the ones we were staying in was due to refurb (no way, thanks), then upgrading to PE; change of prices of PE; extension to holiday and different hotels booked; upgrade of car.

At only one stage did they even mention an admin cost . . . but to be honest I stood my ground and said with the extra money I was paying for PE and extra nights/hotels/car hire etc, did they not think they had enough of my money

Just ask nicely - hope you get what you need - do let us know how it went

 

[kirstenjet]

Thanks, I did look at the website but couldn't find it (I probably skimmed right over it)

I've only changed one thing so far (cancelling the car) so hopefully they can help. I think the stress of changing 12 would kill me!

Thanks so much for the advice,
Zoe

 

[alexandra uk]

I changed my holiday dates from 5th Dec to 30th Nov.
All together it cost £160 ( me, dh & ds ) which I thought was a complete rip off

 

[Bekki]

When you change your holiday with virgin, if the change costs more than the original booking cost then there is not admin fee charge, if it is less than there is which I think is around £20 per person.

 

[kirstenjet]

Thanks for all the replies but when I phoned this morning I was told as I've only got 4 weeks to go it's too soon and I'd have to cancel the holiday and lose 60 % of the money, which is a bit too much

If anyones ever been told any different I'd love to hear!

Cheers,
Zoe

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I work for a travel agent and unfortunately those charges are pretty standard no matter which tour operator you travel with, you're ok up to 6 weeks before travel but after that the charges go up and up the closer to the date you get

 

[kirstenjet]

Thanks Scottish Helen, it's just nice to know she was right as sometimes you seem to get different answers from different people!

Cheers,
Zoe

 

[alexandra uk]

Helen
I changed my dates7 months before my departure date,and was still charged an extra £160 for exactly the same holiday

 

[Scottish-Helen]

Alexandra, the holiday companies have the booking conditions (the boring but important bit in the back of the brochure) all in their favour.

What you were charged are admin fees, normally you get charged these for any changes you make from the time of booking up until 6 weeks before travel. After the 6 weeks it starts going into cancellation charges as above.

A bit of a pain, but unfortunately standard across the UK brochures.

PS I'm always changing my mind about dates etc and must of paid more of these annoying fees than anyone