Delta vent

[dpratt68]

I have been watching airfare for months for February. I had missed a few good prices thinking Jet Blue was going to release some amazing rates. they didn't. I watch for a couple more weeks & prices kept going up and up. Finally a flight came down to $145 but arriving @11pm. I figure I better grab it. Fast forward to today. I go on kayak just to assure myself and find better flights on same airline (Delta) $104-AAAHH!!! In order to change my tix it will cost $180/ticket ($150 Delta and $30 Orbitz) It is just so infuriating!!

 

[andymattmom]

I have been watching airfare for months for February. I had missed a few good prices thinking Jet Blue was going to release some amazing rates. they didn't. I watch for a couple more weeks & prices kept going up and up. Finally a flight came down to $145 but arriving @11pm. I figure I better grab it. Fast forward to today. I go on kayak just to assure myself and find better flights on same airline (Delta) $104-AAAHH!!! In order to change my tix it will cost $180/ticket ($150 Delta and $30 Orbitz) It is just so infuriating!!

It happens ALL the time all on EVERY airline so don't blame Delta. I opened and thought it was about a bad flight experience. It is a fact that we gamble when we purchase airline tickets ON ANY AIRLINE. Just buy when you are happy with the price and quit looking unless it is JetBlue or SW who give credit. ANY OTHER AIRLINE (not just DELTA) charges a change fee and then gives any (IF ANY) remaining amount in credit.

Be happy with fare you got and don't look anymore. Happens all the time...not fun but don't get mad at Delta. Just be glad you didn't wait and have the price go UP!

 

[sjsjbrook]

note to self don't look at airline prices after your booked your own, it can only lead to heartache.

 

[dpratt68]

It happens ALL the time all on EVERY airline so don't blame Delta. I opened and thought it was about a bad flight experience. It is a fact that we gamble when we purchase airline tickets ON ANY AIRLINE. Just buy when you are happy with the price and quit looking unless it is JetBlue or SW who give credit. ANY OTHER AIRLINE (not just DELTA) charges a change fee and then gives any (IF ANY) remaining amount in credit.

Be happy with fare you got and don't look anymore. Happens all the time...not fun but don't get mad at Delta. Just be glad you didn't wait and have the price go UP!

Sorry I was typing so fast I forgot to add that I didn't know they had the no risk 24hr cancellation policy. I had called Delta the next day and inquired about yet another flight and was never told of this policy. The agent just kept saying you would need to pay $xxx. Update I just called Delta and the agent never documented our call so there was nothing she could do. The agent today said had he documented she might have been able to cancel and let me rebook.
-lesson learned stop looking!

 

[robinb]

I have been watching airfare for months for February. I had missed a few good prices thinking Jet Blue was going to release some amazing rates. they didn't. I watch for a couple more weeks & prices kept going up and up. Finally a flight came down to $145 but arriving @11pm. I figure I better grab it. Fast forward to today. I go on kayak just to assure myself and find better flights on same airline (Delta) $104-AAAHH!!! In order to change my tix it will cost $180/ticket ($150 Delta and $30 Orbitz) It is just so infuriating!!

Bummer . I thought it was going to be a rant on how Delta changed your flight times.

I always have a feel for what makes a "good price" from my local airports and I have a "buy price" in mind. Once I see that price I buy and don't look back. Sorry you looked .

 

[andymattmom]

Sorry I was typing so fast I forgot to add that I didn't know they had the no risk 24hr cancellation policy. I had called Delta the next day and inquired about yet another flight and was never told of this policy. The agent just kept saying you would need to pay $xxx. Update I just called Delta and the agent never documented our call so there was nothing she could do. The agent today said had he documented she might have been able to cancel and let me rebook.
-lesson learned stop looking!

That stinks when you get a bad CSR! Hope you have fun on the trip!

 

[Brian Noble]

I didn't know they had the no risk 24hr cancellation policy.

Northwest did pre-merger, but I don't think "old Delta" did, nor does "new Delta". I could be wrong about that.

 

[dpratt68]

Bummer . I thought it was going to be a rant on how Delta changed your flight times.

I always have a feel for what makes a "good price" from my local airports and I have a "buy price" in mind. Once I see that price I buy and don't look back. Sorry you looked .

I know what you mean with a price in mind but the way prices have been recently I thought it was the best I was going to get. When Jet Blue opened and wanted $259 one way I was afraid to wait for SW. I am travelling Presidents Week. I jumped too soon live and learn.
Thanks everyone for letting me whine.

 

[Brian Noble]

For what it's worth, my "buy it" price has also gone up this year, so I know what you're saying.

 

[jodifla]

Northwest did pre-merger, but I don't think "old Delta" did, nor does "new Delta". I could be wrong about that.

Delta does have this 24-hour cancellation policy. I asked about it last week.

 

[Brian Noble]

Interesting. I explicitly looked for it right after the merger, and it wasn't there. I wonder if they added it more recently, or if I was just incompetent in my search?

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/ticket_changes_refunds/risk_free_cancellation/index.jsp

 

[Alexander]

Northwest did pre-merger, but I don't think "old Delta" did, nor does "new Delta". I could be wrong about that.

Yes "old" Delta did--can't speak for "new" Delta. I used it in 2007 when I accidentally booked travel on the wrong date. I called a few hours later and all was taken care of--of course my correct date flights were more money!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Another reason why Southwest rocks. I hate those change fees. Of course, I uaually end up flying Delta and JetBlue, but I am working to switch my habits over to Southwest with no baggage fees and no change fees.

 

[robinb]

Another reason why Southwest rocks. I hate those change fees. Of course, I uaually end up flying Delta and JetBlue, but I am working to switch my habits over to Southwest with no baggage fees and no change fees.

But Southwest keeps the difference in their coffers for a year and then it goes away. In addition, they changed the rules so any money can only be used for the passenger the ticket was originally purchased for. No more pooling the canceled reservation's money together for any ticket you choose.

 

[doggydoc]

Another reason why Southwest rocks. I hate those change fees. Of course, I uaually end up flying Delta and JetBlue, but I am working to switch my habits over to Southwest with no baggage fees and no change fees.

Totally agree, I understand a small fee but $100 or more is ridiculous. I sooo wish we had SW at our local airport.

 

[Tara]

But Southwest keeps the difference in their coffers for a year and then it goes away. In addition, they changed the rules so any money can only be used for the passenger the ticket was originally purchased for. No more pooling the canceled reservation's money together for any ticket you choose.

Even so, it's still far better than paying change fees that are often 50% of the original fare...or more. If you don't fly often, then the money is a loss, but at least you can change your flight plans without having to pay a penalty.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

But Southwest keeps the difference in their coffers for a year and then it goes away. In addition, they changed the rules so any money can only be used for the passenger the ticket was originally purchased for. No more pooling the canceled reservation's money together for any ticket you choose.

When did this happen? I just bought tix for Sept and was able to use multiple credits from ds and dh both onto ds's ressie.
Must be very new. I bought around 2 mos ago.

I think this was probably to eliminate fraud. People would steal credit cards, buy SW flights, cancel and sell the credits on ebay. By the time the cardholder figured out what's going on, the ebay seller has his $. I know, I was a stupid ebay buyer of SW credits and lost them. Paypal only protects physical items, not 'codes' such as this. Live and learn....

 

[Brian Noble]

I sooo wish we had SW at our local airport.

We have SW. But, they have no non-stop flights to MCO *and* they are almost always more expensive---even after baggage fees.

Thanks, but no thanks.

 

[beachbunny]

I also thought this was about a bad experience flying Delta, which it is not. Delta is not to blame.

Couple of lessons learned: 1. Why did you use Orbitz to book a trip on a single airline? I would only use a third party if booking multiple airlines got me a better price. Otherwise, I usually book directly with the airline.

2. It's always a gamble. Do I wait for the price to go down - versus there may be no more seats if I wait too long. You gambled. But you didn't lose because the price you booked seems to have been lower than other prices you saw but passed on earlier.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We have SW. But, they have no non-stop flights to MCO *and* they are almost always more expensive---even after baggage fees.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Yes, I hear that a lot. I think it depends on the airport/region. We have several non stops per day from Philly and very reasonable fares. Back in days of really cheap fares, we could get dings for $39 each way. Even now I see $84 plus a $25 off RT coupon. Avg is probably $99 which seemed high at first but still way better than driving.