Non-refundable tickets. Bad idea?

[Al Drake]

Not sure about your airline as I'm from Canada, but I purchased 2 tickets for a friend and me for last April with Air Canada. The tickets were non refundable. My friend decided not to go. Found out that she could cancel and get a credit to use within one year of the booking date. There was a $150 cancellation fee, but she did use the credit before the deadline to fly somewhere else. Her name was correct on the ticket, but if you're paying the cancellation fee, I would think they'd make the corrections for you, under the circumstances and if you're sweet about it.

Surely anything is possible for a fee (less than the cost of buying a new set of tickets) and I agree, the reps over the phone I'm sure have leeway to make changes, if they want, keep calling until you find someone sympathetic and in a good mood. You may find someone who has had it happen to them or someone they know and is willing to help you, even though it's against official policy.

Good luck!

I was just thinking maybe I could get them to make me a deal of credit for another pair of tickets and get to return real soon. I still have several weeks of vacation due me from work and this would be a great way to convince her boss to let her have more time off. Maybe all this will work out for the absolute best in the end. We can all have a great big laugh. I know it'll sure cheer her up.

[Al Drake]

You are absolutely right, and your wife is a lucky one. I could learn something from your attitude, because after reading this I know exactly how it would have went down if it were me - I would have been mad, maybe yelled, and since she already felt horrible I just would have made it worse, and then not realized what a jackass I was until she was sitting there crying. It's so easy to realize that being supportive is the right way to go after you've already been a huge jerk and it's too late. I will think of this next time I'm feeling angry, thank you.

I hope you have a great trip!

Thank you HarryS. I'm sure we will have a wonderful time. We always do. We love Jamaica and nothing could get in the way of that.

[Melody]

I was just thinking maybe I could get them to make me a deal of credit for another pair of tickets and get to return real soon. I still have several weeks of vacation due me from work and this would be a great way to convince her boss to let her have more time off. Maybe all this will work out for the absolute best in the end. We can all have a great big laugh. I know it'll sure cheer her up.

I was thinking that you could cancel, get the credit, and use it to rebook immediately for this trip, using the correct names.

[Al Drake]

I was thinking that you could cancel, get the credit, and use it to rebook immediately for this trip, using the correct names.

Melody that is a great idea. Thank you so very much. I know just by telling this to her she will feel better instantly. This time we'll pay extra and get the refundable tickets. Melody you have made my day.

[Schuttzie]

I just looked at my tickets and passports and realized that mine has an middle initial and hubby's doesn't but passports have our full names. I've booked through Travelocity and it keeps our names in my log-in so I hadn't changed or added anything. We've never had an issue with them in the past by using it this way but I will certainly make changes in the future with our full names including middle names.

[Angel]

Al Drake if you go to Airport today trying to resolve your tickets I hope you get it done without anymore expense. Or get a refund to use later then book on another airline. Other Airlines may have cheaper flights. We're you going for 1 week or 2 weeks? Hope it gets all sorted out today. So you can get packed to leave on the 5th of Oct.

[Melody]

Melody that is a great idea. Thank you so very much. I know just by telling this to her she will feel better instantly. This time we'll pay extra and get the refundable tickets. Melody you have made my day.

You're very welcome! I hope it works, I don't see any reason why not. As your trip is so close, and you've now got your passports to refer to, you probably wouldn't need to add the expense of refundable tickets. Especially if you book with both of you present (2 sets of eyes to proofread). I understand though, after the stress of this, you are so kicking yourselves that you hadn't bought refundable tickets the first time around. If you take your passports to the airport and they are able to book new tickets at the counter there, it would be on them to enter your names correctly, and you could confirm yourselves on the spot. I don't know if it's even possible to book flights in person anymore?!

Please let us know how it turns out!

[Al Drake]

I just looked at my tickets and passports and realized that mine has an middle initial and hubby's doesn't but passports have our full names. I've booked through Travelocity and it keeps our names in my log-in so I hadn't changed or added anything. We've never had an issue with them in the past by using it this way but I will certainly make changes in the future with our full names including middle names.

That makes me feel a bit better about my ticket. The second call my wife made the woman seemed not to be all that sure. I hope to know later today. Thanks sharing your experiences.

[Al Drake]

Al Drake if you go to Airport today trying to resolve your tickets I hope you get it done without anymore expense. Or get a refund to use later then book on another airline. Other Airlines may have cheaper flights. We're you going for 1 week or 2 weeks? Hope it gets all sorted out today. So you can get packed to leave on the 5th of Oct.

Thanks for the well wishes. We can only stay one week due to my wife's work load. Hopefully the next time will be longer.

[Al Drake]

You're very welcome! I hope it works, I don't see any reason why not. As your trip is so close, and you've now got your passports to refer to, you probably wouldn't need to add the expense of refundable tickets. Especially if you book with both of you present (2 sets of eyes to proofread). I understand though, after the stress of this, you are so kicking yourselves that you hadn't bought refundable tickets the first time around. If you take your passports to the airport and they are able to book new tickets at the counter there, it would be on them to enter your names correctly, and you could confirm yourselves on the spot. I don't know if it's even possible to book flights in person anymore?!

Please let us know how it turns out!

For sure we will never go for the non-refundable. We are headed out now to I'll post back with the results.