The End of Viking Air Plus Frustrations?

[CDNPolar]

16 hours ago, yotefan37 said:

 

CDNPolar, question about adding your flights 280-300 days out.  We're now 157 days out - have AirPlus with a deviation fee, and have upgraded to business.  Pleased with our flights.  However, we'd also like ensure that we secure the seats we want.  

 

When you add your flights that early, how early do you insist they are ticketed?  We are confident that we won't be changing our itinerary (but understand the airline could).  Also, if the airline makes a significant change to the itinerary, could that result in more cost to us?

 

TIA

 

I think that you can ask for ticketing at 120 days out.  You could try earlier, but they may not do it.  I think that the ticketing timeline also aligns with the fact that Viking has penalties for cancelling at 120 days out?  Not sure entirely on this one.  But for sure, if your flights are ticketed and you cancel for any reason, even before the cruise penalties at 120 days, you would be responsible for the cost and cancelation of the air because once ticketed - it was purchased.

 

My personal opinion on your question:  Also, if the airline makes a significant change to the itinerary, could that result in more cost to us?  This should not mean that you must incur cost with many airlines that we have traveled with because the airline if initiating a change after you have paid for the tickets they often allow you to make changes to suit you at no charge... BUT, we have not had this happen with a Viking Air booking.  We had Business Class seats to Buenos Aires last year and we booked those about 300 days out.  This was Delta and they made in total about 6 changes to our itinerary before flying and each time we were given the option to move flights or seats without charge.  We did not have to as the changes were small in time of arrival and departure, and the one change of aircraft, we were still happy with the seats that they assigned on the new aircraft type.

 

We have also had this happen with British Air and again, we were given the option to make changes at no charge.

 

Long answer short, I think it is going to depend on the change.  You are never guaranteed the seats you book even if you book them with the airline and you are ticketed.  If they change the type of plane, they will move your seats, and depending on how closely you watch these changes, you may or may not end up with the seats that you prefer.  Usually in Business however you are going to get the same or very similar seat.

 

We watch closely once our tickets are issued and catch the changes as they happen.

[yotefan37]

Thanks for the assistance!