Absolutely fuming, in the scope of my $1900 flight the 40 bucks isn't much, maybe I'd spend that on a meal. But to charge me $40 to literally book my flight because their website has the most basic functionality is outrageous. Genuinely can't believe they are that thieving. If you want to change or cancel, the same charge applies. Beware!
Need to fly to Indonesia from Brisbane, and wanted to return to the Goldcoast. However you are not able to change the return destination unless you do two one-way trips.
Just wanted to do (BNE-DPS) (DPS-MEL-OOL).
However I can't do two one-way trips because I'm going through my university. Also, flying from Indonesia to the goldcoast comes up in Rupiah? and you can't change the currency which is also annoying.
Because I have a connecting flight it seems pretty silly the website won't let you change from BNE to OOL. Anyway..
Also, on the phone for 5 minutes tops. (After being told I was being transferred to the international department but got sent to three domestic agents first)
Not having multi city option on the website is pretty poor, I agree with that. That should definitely be an option for all airlines.
The reason it would have displayed Rupiah is because that’s where the one way leg would have originated. That’s pretty standard for all one way bookings. But agree, you shouldn’t have had to do two one ways to start with.
$40 is hefty for 5 mins if someone’s time.
Why couldn't you do it online?
because the functionality is most basic.
It drinks pumpkin spice lattes from starbucks every October.
This is disappointing. Qantas almost always waives the fee when your reason for doing so is that the online website is inadequate. It's disappointing Virgin doesn't do the same. In future try to insist the fee be waived.
So Virgin is $1900 + $40 phone fee
What were your competitors charging for the equivalent flights?
I expect he came to OzBargain to complain because if he rang up Virgin to complain they might have charged him $40.
TIL that calling airlines to make bookings is still a thing.
Last week I learnt that phone banking is still a thing.
Very educational site for sure.
My dad still goes into the post office in person to pay bills and doesn't know how to check text messages on his phone (no matter how many times I show him)
FIL does that still.
I like it when he calls me and he's says "I'm returning your missed call."
Yeah, that was 4 weeks ago mate.
But to charge me $40 to literally book my flight because their website has the most basic functionality is outrageous
Been like this for a LONG time…. What can't the website do that you did over the phone out of interest?
porterble basically answered this question below. Virgin's website doesn't even attempt to do international multi-city.
Most airlines do that and they will inform you of the charge before they proceed with doing your phone booking.
I’ve had to call up and book once some years ago with Singapore airlines. I was using points to upgrade, there were very slim pickings on the dates and routes I wanted to fly so had to make sure everything was done as quickly as possible to get the upgrades I wanted. They told me how much it would cost to do a phone booking before I booked.
Well
It does "cost" them labour, similar to how a travel agent would charge extra in many cases.
Although spending this much on a flight you'd expect these expenses to be baked into the flight cost as it is.
Its crazy that the Virgin Australia website doesn't allow international multi-city bookings on the website. They have the functionality to do it for domestic, but limited it for internationals.
Ive had to do a few complex bookings with Qantas this year—including some rebookings after BA and AA screwed up some flight changes—and never had to pay a charge where it is something that couldn't be done online. In two cases they even waived the charge where it could be done online but was faster and easier to do on the phone.
If the functionality for a return flight to a different final destination point isn't on the website, then you shouldn't be charged for the phone booking. I'd email a request for a refund and see how you go. Seems pretty basic to me that they should want you to call and book in that situation, rather than going elsewhere.
Damn, I was hoping the situation would allow for you to take it to the very end without paying, argue over the $40, then after wasting their time, hang up and book it on the website.
I have a couple of questions.