Dropping Viking Air before ticketed

[scidee]

Hello.  We have always used Viking Air (4 cruises).  We find for our current booking to South America that we can easily have our pick of flights for around $900/person.  We paid Viking $1599/Person.  We realize that by booking our own we give up the airport transfers and the security of them locating us.  We are contemplating going a few days early to Santiago and staying a few days post cruise in Buenos Aris with the additional savings.  Yes, we know we could do the pre and post thing by paying a deviation $100/person with Viking.  But why?  

We are looking for advise as to which way to go. Stay with Viking or do our own thing.  We have never been to South America before.  We are still 133 days out to the cruise with full fare & air paid, and it is our understanding that we can get our air money returned up to 75 days prior.  Has anyone experienced getting an air refund?  Does it go back on the credit card?

Thank you for your comments.

[pavementends]

Yes I received a refund of Viking air. I'm not sure how much in advance you need to cancel but all you need to do is call.

 

It would be a tragedy to fly down to South America and not spend some time in those cities.

[Cienfuegos]

There are several companies which provide "secure, comfortable" airport transfers to or from your hotel in Buenos Aires.

[CCWineLover]

3 hours ago, scidee said:

Hello.  We have always used Viking Air (4 cruises).  We find for our current booking to South America that we can easily have our pick of flights for around $900/person.  We paid Viking $1599/Person.  We realize that by booking our own we give up the airport transfers and the security of them locating us.  We are contemplating going a few days early to Santiago and staying a few days post cruise in Buenos Aris with the additional savings.  Yes, we know we could do the pre and post thing by paying a deviation $100/person with Viking.  But why?  

We are looking for advise as to which way to go. Stay with Viking or do our own thing.  We have never been to South America before.  We are still 133 days out to the cruise with full fare & air paid, and it is our understanding that we can get our air money returned up to 75 days prior.  Has anyone experienced getting an air refund?  Does it go back on the credit card?

Thank you for your comments.

A very good question and some very good points, but some clarification is needed.

 

-Did you already make your final payment to Viking of all fees?  You dont' say that.  I'd assume yes because you say you are 133 days out.

-Have your flights been ticketed yet?

I do know in the past you had to remove Viking Air from your reservation BEFORE final payment, but I've heard lately that perhaps now you have to do it before TICKETING.

 

Probably the best and most accurate answer may be to contact Viking directly, or through your Travel Agent.  

 

Depending on what is allowed, your question may be a moot point.

 

As for South America, we did that cruise and our own air and our own pre and post travel in Santiago and Buenos Aires.  It was quite easy for us, but we are used to doing our own thing and not needing hand holding from Viking.   We took a relatively inexpensive taxi to Santiago from the airport, stayed at the Doubletree.  From Santiago to Valparaiso we booked one of the many wine tours offered that pick you up in Santiago and drop you in Valpo and do wine tasting along the way.  From our Valparaiso Airbnb we took an inexpensive taxi to the port.  In Buenos Aires, we stayed on our own at the Hilton for 5 nights, among other places, and the hotel helped us arrange a very reasonable ride to the airport for our return.  All WAY cheaper than Viking and no hassles at all.  However, you have to decide if you feel up to it.  I totally understand if people need the handholding and "reassurance" and are willing to pay the bucks for it.

[CDR2001]

We have cancelled Viking Air before the 120 day date but after full payment. It was Refunded to our bank, the original method of payment was E Check. I’m not sure of cancellations 75 days prior to ticketing… call the specific Viking Air number to confirm. I wouldn’t risk an incorrect answer from the general guest service line. Get it in writing. 

Edited September 18 by CDR2001

[CDNPolar]

Don't delay if your flights have not been ticketed.

I don't believe that you get any refund if you used and paid for Air Plus, as you have engaged the air department.

 

My understanding is that as long as the flights have not been ticketed, you can receive your refund, BUT, if you are in the penalty period of 120 days or less, then they can impose penalties on the monies paid as per their contract - whether or not the flights are ticketed.  (There is no exception in the penalties for un-ticketed air.)

[CDR2001]

4 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

I don't believe that you get any refund if you used and paid for Air Plus, as you have engaged the air department

For our July 2023 trip, we were refunded the Viking Air plus fees in addition to the flight costs. 

[Mitina]

28 minutes ago, CDR2001 said:

For our July 2023 trip, we were refunded the Viking Air plus fees in addition to the flight costs. 

As CDNPolar mentioned above, once we contacted Air Plus the fee was non-refundable.  Keeps people from shopping airline routes and costs with Viking and then subsequently dropping the air.  Also a fairly new change by Viking was collecting the fee at time of booking rather than due at Final Payment Date.

[millybess]

54 minutes ago, CDR2001 said:

For our July 2023 trip, we were refunded the Viking Air plus fees in addition to the flight costs. 

We had the same experience.

 

22 minutes ago, Mitina said:

As CDNPolar mentioned above, once we contacted Air Plus the fee was non-refundable.  Keeps people from shopping airline routes and costs with Viking and then subsequently dropping the air.  Also a fairly new change by Viking was collecting the fee at time of booking rather than due at Final Payment Date.

Like everything else Viking, possibly it depends on who picks up the phone.

[Arubamoose]

It all depends on how comfortable you are with doing on your own.

And you have to consider your luggage.  We only had one large suitcase and a carry on for 34 days.  Laundry helped.

We flew through Sao Paulo from Newark to take a side trip to Iguazu Falls.  Spent two nights there.  Easy taxi rides to hotel and Tours with Locals to see both sides of the falls.

Latam Air back to Buenos Aries for a few days of touring (and eating great beef!) before we got on our Celebrity ship around the horn.

Taxis were relatively easy. Especially with UBER and LYFT.

[FlyerTalker]

On 9/18/2024 at 12:36 PM, CCWineLover said:

As for South America, we did that cruise and our own air and our own pre and post travel in Santiago and Buenos Aires.  It was quite easy for us, but we are used to doing our own thing and not needing hand holding from Viking.   We took a relatively inexpensive taxi to Santiago from the airport, stayed at the Doubletree.  From Santiago to Valparaiso we booked one of the many wine tours offered that pick you up in Santiago and drop you in Valpo and do wine tasting along the way.  From our Valparaiso Airbnb we took an inexpensive taxi to the port.  In Buenos Aires, we stayed on our own at the Hilton for 5 nights, among other places, and the hotel helped us arrange a very reasonable ride to the airport for our return.  All WAY cheaper than Viking and no hassles at all.  However, you have to decide if you feel up to it.  I totally understand if people need the handholding and "reassurance" and are willing to pay the bucks for it.

 

Buenos Aires is quite easy for transport.  You want to get a "remis" to/from the airport, with Tienda Leon being a very reputable supplier.  Don't take a taxi there, but feel free to use them in town.

 

At Santiago, we've used TransVIP to/from the airport and hotel.  Excellent service every time.

 

One trick you can use at SCL.  Even if you come in a day or more early, you can fake your way into buying a Viking transfer to the port.  All you need to do is give Viking a fake airline itinerary with an arrival that is convenient for you.  Come back to the airport that morning, find the Viking reps, and hand over your luggage.  Viking does not have access to the flight manifest, so they only know that you are "supposedly" coming in on that flight.  The agents are outside of customs, so they aren't picking up your bags off the belt.  You get your name checked off a list and wait for your bus to the port.  Or as noted above, there are many companies that will take you to the port and do a tour along the way -- or just transport you.

 

 

[MMMCruiser]

7 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

One trick you can use at SCL.  Even if you come in a day or more early, you can fake your way into buying a Viking transfer to the port.  All you need to do is give Viking a fake airline itinerary with an arrival that is convenient for you.  Come back to the airport that morning, find the Viking reps, and hand over your luggage.  Viking does not have access to the flight manifest, so they only know that you are "supposedly" coming in on that flight.  The agents are outside of customs, so they aren't picking up your bags off the belt.  You get your name checked off a list and wait for your bus to the port.  Or as noted above, there are many companies that will take you to the port and do a tour along the way -- or just transport you.

 

 

Do you think this would work in Venice as well?  Don't want to book air through Viking because I'd like to be in Europe for a while before the cruise, but it seems complicated to get to the port in Chioggia.

[FlyerTalker]

54 minutes ago, MMMCruiser said:

Do you think this would work in Venice as well?  Don't want to book air through Viking because I'd like to be in Europe for a while before the cruise, but it seems complicated to get to the port in Chioggia.

 

Haven't flown into VCE, so don't know if the Viking reps are in the baggage area or not.  The trick works when they are out in the public area, so there's no way to have them be looking for you in an area you can't reach.  I'll defer to anyone else who knows about Viking reps at VCE.

 

 

[CCWineLover]

3 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Buenos Aires is quite easy for transport.  You want to get a "remis" to/from the airport, with Tienda Leon being a very reputable supplier.  Don't take a taxi there, but feel free to use them in town.

 

At Santiago, we've used TransVIP to/from the airport and hotel.  Excellent service every time.

 

One trick you can use at SCL.  Even if you come in a day or more early, you can fake your way into buying a Viking transfer to the port.  All you need to do is give Viking a fake airline itinerary with an arrival that is convenient for you.  Come back to the airport that morning, find the Viking reps, and hand over your luggage.  Viking does not have access to the flight manifest, so they only know that you are "supposedly" coming in on that flight.  The agents are outside of customs, so they aren't picking up your bags off the belt.  You get your name checked off a list and wait for your bus to the port.  Or as noted above, there are many companies that will take you to the port and do a tour along the way -- or just transport you.

 

 

Thank you!

 

For people interested in Buenos Aires, I just did a dummy booking from EZE to the Hilton in Buenos Aires for next March.  Remis car was 51,430 Pesos which today is $53.50 for 2 people.  Seems pretty reasonable.  

@FlyerTalker  have you raken this from EZE?  where do you get it, outside baggage claim?  what happens if your flight is delayed?  Thanks!

 

 

[FlyerTalker]

Tienda Leon had a booth as you are leaving the terminal building.  I never pre-booked from the airport, but my last time using them FROM was a couple years back.  I did pre-book TO the airport.