4 Round Trip Tickets to Los Angeles Early January-Unable to Use-HELP

robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 16:14

Los Angeles return in January-unable to use-HELP !!!

We have 4 tickets from Sydney to Los Angeles departing early in January school holidays, 16 nights in USA, which we are now unable to use (a very long story) for 2 adults & 2 kids.

I got onto our travel agent, who said that as tickets are non-refundable, the only thing that she said could be done, was to try to sell them or give them away, as the airline allows a name change for $150/person up until few days before departure.

We paid around $7000 about 6 months ago (think it was $2000 for each adult & $1500 for each child) & we would obviously like to get as much back as possible. We have travel insurance, but that won't cover any loss, name change or cancellation.

The price included the credit card fee, 2 checked bags & food, drinks & seat selection.

The travel agent also said the childrens tickets could be converted to adults tickets by paying the difference between child & adult fare, but if tickets used by 1 adult & 3 children, there's no refund for child using adult ticket.

HELP !!!!!

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to sell them, if the travel agent can't sell them ?

The agent said they would send out an email to their thousands of email subscribers & if they sold them for us they would charge us a small fee, but they want us to put a selling price on the tickets & be prepared to sell any number of them from one to four tickets. They suggested asking 10% less than we paid or near offer & to be very negotiable, as the closer it gets to departure date, the less likely we are likely to sell them for anything like we paid. She also said airlines don't allow name changes, but luckily ours does. If we sold them, they could handle the funds & process any credit card payments & as the tickets have already been paid for, full payment wouldn't be needed straight away, so if someone wanted a ticket or tickets, they could pay them off over a few months.

One of our relatives said they would give us some frequent flyer points for the tickets, but we really need the cash.

Travel

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closed Comments

  • Fredfloresjr on 19/10/2024 - 16:19
    +2

    I believe you can't sell/transfer Intl ticket. I might be wrong. Good luck.

    • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 16:21
      -5

      Anyone can sell airline tickets apparently. Was told there has been no travel agents licencing in Australia for over 10 years. Regards name changes, it depends on the airline according to our travel agent. Our airline allows it luckily. We didn't know in advance.

      • MrFunSocks on 21/10/2024 - 10:41
        +12

        Absolutely cannot do this lol. I've done plenty of dev work for travel agents and know the GDS system and airline processes inside out, and you cannot just do a name change to give the ticket to someone else. You're being told incorrect information. Airline tickets are not transferrable, ever.

        • knasty on 21/10/2024 - 10:54
          +5

          Yep Fiji airways GDS policy actually outlines this exact point. It prevents a secondary market in tickets where someone could book tickets in a cheap fare class then sell/transfer that ticket to others later when the cheap fare classes are exhausted.

          "Passenger Name Changes
          Travel agents must ensure that passengers are booked using the names as they appear on passports or other
          valid travel documents. The only exception permitted is correction of misspelt passenger name of the same
          person."

        • robo99 on 21/10/2024 - 14:51
          -5

          maybe you're talking about online fares. We didn't get an online fare. Our fare at the time we bought them, was cheaper than online & included 2 checked bags. Agents sells a lot to north america & she said she has a contract with the airline.

          • MrMarket on 21/10/2024 - 17:13
            +1

            @robo99: cant change ticket to another name period, when you book international fares, the information passed on for background security checked
            link to that name and flight and you can't change this information through the various security system it traverse

            the only way to get around this is to cancel the ticket and buy a new one under a new name.

            • robo99 on 21/10/2024 - 17:16

              @MrMarket: we can change names, dates but we've had an unforeseen financial hit & probably won't be travelling anywhere in the next 12 months, or eating out or even driving anywhere.

              • MrMarket on 21/10/2024 - 17:22
                +1

                @robo99: have you done this before or know anyone who done it? TA and a lot of people can tell you a lot of things and sometimes they don't have the correct information. I wish you a lot of luck if you can get it change to another person name

        • donga100 on 21/10/2024 - 20:20
          +1

          It's not impossible, some airlines allow it on specific fares and it sounds like OP is booked on a "private"/"negotiated" fare through their travel agent. I'm still highly skeptical though as a fare that allows name changes but doesn't allow refund is an unusual combination. Best of luck OP, hope you haven't been given the wrong information or misunderstood what the agent has said.

      • notfrodo on 21/10/2024 - 20:36
        +2

        Tickets are non transferable. Source https://www.fijiairways.com/media/139984/65.pdf

    • HeWhoKnows on 22/10/2024 - 11:11
      -4

      As OP was told by travel agent…

      "I got onto our travel agent, who said that as tickets are non-refundable, the only thing that she said could be done, was to try to sell them or give them away, as the airline allows a name change for $150/person up until few days before departure"

  • c64 on 19/10/2024 - 16:29
    -3

    this might help

    • Ace26 on 21/10/2024 - 08:22
      -3

      Savage

  • MS Paint on 19/10/2024 - 16:34
    +34

    (a very long story)

    I'm free for the next hour so feel free to elaborate.

    • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 16:38
      -5

      financial

      • Papa Huggies on 21/10/2024 - 16:52
        +40

        Wow I don't know what to do with the rest of the 59m 59s I set aside.

  • frondono on 19/10/2024 - 16:39
    +8

    Member since 1 hour 28 minutes ago. lol

    • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 16:42
      -8

      yes, social media was suggested to us. Not desperate yet, but will be soon if don't get any sold. If unsold in a month, might be take $1000 or less each ticket.

      • Save 50 Cent on 21/10/2024 - 12:46
        +7

        So you are saying you posted this to find a buyer here not because you needed suggestions?

        • robo99 on 21/10/2024 - 17:06
          -3

          no, I was wondering where to advertise tickets, without spending a lot of money & some self appointed experts, wrongly claim that you cannot change names, even though you can, at leats with some airlines. Not sure why can't change names with all airlines.

  • brendanm on 19/10/2024 - 16:55
    +5

    I'll start the bidding at $1k.

    • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 17:09
      -4

      our flights now are around $4800 for an adult. Agent says it's because the sydney to fiji flight is almost full. So we're going to try for $1800 an adult for now. If someone takes all 4 tickets that would help. Agent says as last resort, she could cancel the fiji to LAX & LAX to Fiji sectors & try to change the fiji to sydney sector to an earlier date. Left to last minute, she said there will probably not be much accommodation left in school holidays, but we could maybe stay at a cheap airport hotel or near airport hotel & get taxis to resorts & the port to do day cruises.

      • Xetrok on 19/10/2024 - 17:16
        +18

        Look at this, https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/865444
        Fiji Airways: Los Angeles/San Francisco Ret SYD $960/$969

        So you're probably going to take a loss to even try to offload them.

          • spaceflight on 22/10/2024 - 14:02

            @robo99: The Fiji tickets include bags too.

            And unlike the tickets you have they did not have dates that are completely inflexible

      • brendanm on 19/10/2024 - 21:15
        +38

        I was offering $1k for all of them. Just trying to get the auction started off for you, though we haven't had any higher bids yet.

        • pyramid on 19/10/2024 - 21:18
          +20

          Sir, You won the auction…kindly transfer fund to my trust account.

          • brendanm on 19/10/2024 - 21:19
            +7

            @pyramid: I can only pay by western union, is that ok?

            • robo99 on 20/10/2024 - 11:27
              -4

              @brendanm: huh ? If in any doubt, payment by credit card is secure.

              • MS Paint on 20/10/2024 - 12:14
                +8

                @robo99: Lol

                • robo99 on 20/10/2024 - 17:03

                  @MS Paint: don't think there's anymore secure way of paying than paying by credit card. If you know one, please tell us.

              • ihfree on 20/10/2024 - 15:18
                +4

                @robo99: I'll take the bidding to $1000.69. I'd also like to take advantage of your BNPL scheme with an initial deposit of $4.20

          • robo99 on 20/10/2024 - 11:27
            -5

            @pyramid: payment by credit card through a travel agent, is quite secure. If tickets didn't turn up, you'd get a refund from credit card.

            • gentlecrack on 21/10/2024 - 18:39
              +2

              @robo99: You need to update your robo version to 100. While applying the patch use /s option.

      • belongsinforums on 21/10/2024 - 20:37
        +1

        okay. $900

  • sumyungguy on 19/10/2024 - 16:56
    +2

    May I suggest you share the carrier? In the interests of marketing your sale. Inside school holidays is a definite plus, ski fields open on the West Coast

    • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 16:59

      that might help. Fiji air. Agent said new A350s the whole way. about hour & 1/2 to kill in fiji on way over & about 2 hours on way back. She dais you can leave the airport, but not go far.

      Can earn qantas frequent flyer points.

      • sumyungguy on 19/10/2024 - 17:01

        Another plus, I'd much rather a two-leg trip, sadly I can't go…

        • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 17:03

          we thought about having a few nights stopover, but told higher taxes kick in, if over a few nights & we are watching the dollars very closely. Some of our USA accommodation was free.

          • sumyungguy on 19/10/2024 - 17:11
            +2

            @robo99: Have you considered posting in the AFF community? I'd suggest under Open Discussion and a member will redirect you if needed

            • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 17:12

              @sumyungguy: ok thanks

            • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 19:58
              +1

              @sumyungguy: tried it but they don't allow it.

              • sumyungguy on 19/10/2024 - 20:04

                @robo99: I noticed their classifieds have limited options. You'd think if it was within the fare rules they should allow it? Maybe it's such a rare possibility they just make a blanket ruling

  • mskeggs on 19/10/2024 - 17:07
    +4

    full payment wouldn't be needed straight away, so if someone wanted a ticket or tickets, they could pay them off over a few months.

    No suggestions, but I would only accept payment up front.

    • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 17:12
      -4

      we want to sell them, but if someone came up with a decent deposit & said can I pay the rest after my credit card rollover date, that would work for us. Not talking paying $5 now & rest few days before flights. We're not totally stupid (we were when we booked the flights, when we shouldn't have)

      • May4th on 21/10/2024 - 13:29
        +4

        you have a lot of faith in people

  • MS Paint on 19/10/2024 - 17:47
    +31

    I know you wish to minimise your loss but my tip is to sell them at a bargain price now. I would aim for $3500 and I bet they will sell inside a week.

    It's just like selling a car. Sellers set big prices, have high hopes, they "know what they've got" but they don't get any bites. They eventually sell at the realistic price that they should have listed from the start.

    $3500 now is better than $0 in 8 weeks time. Time is not on your side for potential buyers to organise an international holiday.

      • MS Paint on 19/10/2024 - 20:05
        +55

        Your target audience is miniscule. You need to win them over quickly. Up to you though.

        • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 20:07

          yes but not sure where to advertise them if agent doesn't come up with anyone. They also said they'd mention it to other agents.

          • MS Paint on 19/10/2024 - 20:12
            +3

            @robo99: I think Gumtree allows airline ticket sales (but their audience is nearly dead) and I'm sure Facebook marketplace doesn't allow such items.

            • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 20:18
              -1

              @MS Paint: umm. Maybe will offer agent, more than their small fee & they can send it around to more places ?

          • pwnd on 21/10/2024 - 14:37
            +12

            @robo99: your agent has minimal incentive to sell these tickets again. they already sold the tickets. to you.

      • TilacVIP on 21/10/2024 - 08:32
        +21

        With all due respect, you're dreaming if you think you're getting anywhere near that figure

      • May4th on 21/10/2024 - 13:32
        +13

        less 10%? and take risks with name change/scams at a date not of your choosing? travelling with 2 kids usually require months of planning in advance, a family of 4 don't get to make any last min trips often. I wouldn't consider it for anything less than 50% of best available price on the dates of my choosing which may be less than what you paid for it

  • Cheapskate Paul on 19/10/2024 - 19:18
    +9

    According to this document:

    https://www.airlinesticketpolicy.com/name-correction-policy/…

    Fiji Airways do NOT allow name changes, only minor name corrections.

    • TALL1one on 19/10/2024 - 19:37
      +3

      Correct,

      Fiji Airways Name Correction/Change Policy

      All name changes are not permitted on tickets issued by Fiji Airways. For major name changes, such as name or surname changes, passengers must cancel the original booking and book a new ticket with the correct name. This process may include cancellation fees and price differences.

      • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 19:54
        -4

        wrong. Agent has it in writing from airline. She sent it to us. Will see if I can find it.

      • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 19:57
        +5

        here it is. Think we had 2 or 3 days to pay from when flights were booked.

        >

        CHANGES

        (j) Name change:
        Before ticketing: permitted free of charge
        After ticketing: permitted at AUD150.00 per person up to departure

        • knasty on 20/10/2024 - 20:30
          +22

          I hope OP is correct but my understanding is that there are 2 types of name change. A minor change (eg a slight misspelled name but the person is the same) is what the name change fee is for ie. A minor change. Actual name changes ie. To a different person is not allowed.

          Remember that airline rules still hold ie
          A travel 'agent' is agent of the service provider -they don't make up the rules by themselves.

          • MrFunSocks on 21/10/2024 - 10:54
            +11

            @knasty: OP is 100% wrong, I can guarantee it. I've done years and years of dev work in the past for airlines and travel agents and still have friends in the industries. You can not sell airline tickets or transfer them to other people via a name change, not on any airline.

            The only option OP has to recover any money is to cancel the booking and pay the cancellation fees, which will likely be in the hundreds of dollars per person. OP will still likely get about $5k back from that $7k.

            • knasty on 21/10/2024 - 10:56
              +1

              @MrFunSocks: Ha I just agreed with you in the prior thread. Agree with what you said but OP stated that it's a non refundable fare class.

            • May4th on 21/10/2024 - 13:33
              +1

              @MrFunSocks: depends on ticketing conditions - sounds like no refund possible

              travel insurance? but we'd have to hear the long story

    • MS Paint on 19/10/2024 - 19:39
      +1

      Oucccchhh!!!

      issued by Fiji Airways.

      Or were they technically issued by the travel agent?

      • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 19:58
        -1

        luckily the travel agent was right.

    • sumyungguy on 19/10/2024 - 19:44
      +3

      OP is being advised by TA actual. Unlikely some random web page is relevant in this case.

    • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 19:53
      -2

      no they do. That website is wrong.

      • Cheapskate Paul on 19/10/2024 - 20:07
        +15

        I once thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken.

    • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 19:59
      -1

      luckily the travel agent was correct.

      • sumyungguy on 19/10/2024 - 20:03
        +1

        Good job booking via a TA. If you had booked direct the name changes wouldn't be permitted

        • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 20:08
          -1

          doubt there would be any difference, but gather there are so many different fares, than those shown online.

          • sumyungguy on 19/10/2024 - 20:24
            +3

            @robo99: Agents can access more options than customers booking direct via airlines websites… and I think if you had chosen Qantas you may have done your money

            • MrFunSocks on 21/10/2024 - 11:00

              @sumyungguy: Agents don't have access to make up rules though. Airline tickets are not transferrable, ever. Name changes are not passenger changes. The only option OP has other than losing $7k by just not flying is to cancel the tickets and get probably $5k back after the cancellation fees are taken out.

              • robo99 on 21/10/2024 - 14:53
                -2

                @MrFunSocks: if an agent has a contract with an airline, they probably negotiate on things like name changes, checked baggage. I know our fares include an extra bag, which wasn't included on the more expensive online fare.

                • MrFunSocks on 21/10/2024 - 18:33

                  @robo99: They don't negotiate on things like making international tickets transferrable lol. Again - I've done work for some big travel agent companies, and airlines, and I know what they can and cannot do. They can't do this.

                  • garethb on 22/10/2024 - 11:20

                    @MrFunSocks: I've known agents who have been able to purchase the tickets without entering all details (like tickets on hold but fully paid) and have until x number of weeks before to finalize details.

                    • MrFunSocks on 22/10/2024 - 15:44

                      @garethb: Nope, that's not how airlines work. Probably just some airline credit or something. Tickets can be changed on the day of purchase for free (by the airline/GDS, but some TA's might charge a fee), but once midnight hits they're locked in for that name and the TA is on the hook for the money. You can't buy a plane ticket without a passenger name on it.

  • Ocker on 19/10/2024 - 20:04
    -5

    Play on words - "tickets issued by Fiji Airways"…………….The tickets have been issued by the travel agent, not Fiji Airways.

    • robo99 on 19/10/2024 - 20:09
      -1

      but this below, the agent got from airline

      >

      CHANGES

      (j) Name change:
      Before ticketing: permitted free of charge
      After ticketing: permitted at AUD150.00 per person up to departure

    • MrFunSocks on 21/10/2024 - 10:44

      No, the tickets have been issued by Fiji Airways - but you still 100% cannot sell plane tickets and change names to another person. OP is being fed terrible and incorrect information, likely so the "travel agent" can collect this $150 per person fee from OP.

  • fantombloo on 19/10/2024 - 21:02
    +62

    Just my own opinion but as a buyer I wouldn't bother with a 10% discount for the risks and possible hassle associated with buying from someone in your position - i'd just buy them "new" from regular sources. Might start feeling interested for a 25% discount but even then would be a hard sell. OTOH if I saw a 50% discount my eyes would be wide open. Probably not want you want to hear but I can't think I'm alone in thinking like this.

    • MS Paint on 19/10/2024 - 21:16
      +4

      You are not alone

      Michael Jackson c.1995

      • gromit on 21/10/2024 - 08:59
        +13

        You are searching for a buyer in a very small market of those that need 2xadult and 2x kids and want to travel on those days on that route and haven't already bought tickets. If agent doesn't find you a buyer you need to accept you are going to have to take a much much bigger hit given tickets have been on sale even this month for half your asking price for that time period.

        • May4th on 21/10/2024 - 13:36
          +3

          better off marketing it as a lie flat seat for 4 seats for one person tbh..

  • Slinky0111 on 19/10/2024 - 21:20
    -2

    Probably going to get negged for this but yolo. Surely you could go see your GP to write a letter to say you cannot travel due to something? Severe gastro? Need to be quarantined for 24 to 48 hours ?

    I had an NZ ski trip bookee for myself but my daughter caught fith disease (hand foot and mouth) so i was unable to go and claimed the trip back through travel insurance after getting a doctor from my gp.

    • MS Paint on 19/10/2024 - 21:24
      +15

      after getting a doctor from my gp

      That makes sense. Cheers

    • Slinky0111 on 19/10/2024 - 21:26

      A doctors note/letter from my GP

    • sumyungguy on 19/10/2024 - 21:36
      +8

      I don't know any GPs who issue fraudulent medical certificates; nor do any travel insurers accept them. OP's only other out is a date change on compassionate grounds, but date change isn't under consideration.

      • R-Man on 20/10/2024 - 22:25
        -7

        ☝🏼The nanny state has spoken 🙇🏼‍♂️

        • sumyungguy on 20/10/2024 - 22:34

          Make sure you send a PM to OP as you likely know where to get a fake certificate, or do you just use Adobe Creative Cloud?

        • ThithLord on 21/10/2024 - 09:32
          +1

          TIL not fraudulently creating a document means you work for the nanny state

      • ArjaytheGuy on 20/10/2024 - 23:41
        +1

        While thats ideal or the way it should be:

        You're either beyond naive; or incredibly sheltered.

        There are numerous doctors out there who will issue fraudulent medical certificates (see also: vaccine exemptions). While they shouldn't; and it definitely is a legal (not to mention ethical) problem for them to do it… many do.

        • sumyungguy on 20/10/2024 - 23:55
          +1

          I simply said I don't know any. But as you believe yourself so worldly then keep on leveraging those street-smarts. More likely certificates are being forged but not issued fraudulently. Did you know medical practitioners have to be registered to practice? Maybe in your world you're surrounded by fake doctors.

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