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The Couple That Booked Flights From The Wrong Birmingham Have Been Given A Free Holiday By Virgin

The Couple That Booked Flights From The Wrong Birmingham Have Been Given A Free Holiday By Virgin

Fair play.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

Remember Richella Heekin and Ben Marlow?

The couple were left devastated when they found out they'd booked flights to Vegas from Birmingham, Alabama, rather than Birmingham in the dreary West Midlands.

Credit: Richella Heekin via Facebook

They're a fair distance apart.

Richella had planned a trip to Sin City for Ben's 30th birthday and booked and paid for flights worth £1,200.

When they got to the airport they realised that the flights were booked from not only the wrong airport, but also the wrong country. They were told they were unable to get a refund despite the kerfuffle and so had to settle for a trip to Amsterdam.

As luck would have it, Virgin Holidays came across the couple's story and felt pretty sorry for them.

The company were so sympathetic in fact, that they offered Richella and Ben a trip they couldn't refuse.

They were offered a five night stay in a five-star hotel in Vegas, with flights and everything included.

Kelly Grindle from Virgin Holidays told the Birmingham Mail: "It was heart-breaking to hear that Richella and Ben couldn't go on their dream holiday to Las Vegas because of a silly booking mix-up. Considering we've got direct flights from Manchester airport to Las Vegas, we couldn't stand by and do nothing.

"Everyone at Virgin Holidays wants to see them enjoy a well-deserved break, so we're giving them two economy-class flights with Virgin Atlantic, five nights hotel accommodation, and are waiving all applicable fees and charges.

"Our only bit of advice would be to enjoy a little flutter at a Vegas blackjack table, now that their run of bad luck has ended."

Richella was told by the Birmingham Mail that she'd be getting the all expenses paid trip and she was over the moon.

She said: "Are you serious? I can't believe it! We have been able to laugh at our mistake and we've had calls and tweets from Australian and American news! So it's so lovely of Virgin to do this. I'm a bit overwhelmed but I'm so grateful to Virgin and to the Birmingham Mail."

Ben was also made up by the news, but admitted he's received some negative comments online.

He told the Birmingham Mail: "I'm over the moon. We didn't expect the publicity. We have had some horrible comments, but I've just laughed them off. In 20 years' time we will look back and remember that we were all over the news. It's been mad really."

Fair play to Virgin. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm fairly jealous.

Anyone up for staging a fuck up with me so we can get a free holiday?

Words by Mark McGowan

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Couple, virgin, Las Vegas, Holiday