Air Tran changed my flight time. Can I change to a different flight without a fee?

[BillSears]

When I originally booked my Air Tran flight we were supposed to arrive at 2:40 PM. It was abit late but I prefered it to the flight that was leaving at 7:05 AM. However since I booked the flight the time has changed twice and is now arriving at 3:42 PM. I've got a 6:30 LeCellier dinner ADR and don't want to miss it and now that we're arriving an hour later I'm concerned.

So when an airline changes your flight times are you allowed to book a different flight without the $50.00 per ticket change charge? Prices are the same right now so it's just the fee I'm concerned about.

 

[legalslave]

When I originally booked my Air Tran flight we were supposed to arrive at 2:40 PM. It was abit late but I prefered it to the flight that was leaving at 7:05 AM. However since I booked the flight the time has changed twice and is now arriving at 3:42 PM. I've got a 6:30 LeCellier dinner ADR and don't want to miss it and now that we're arriving an hour later I'm concerned.

So when an airline changes your flight times are you allowed to book a different flight without the $50.00 per ticket change charge? Prices are the same right now so it's just the fee I'm concerned about.

Yes, they will change your flight without the fee (but only if you call them - it won't happen online).

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

However since I booked the flight the time has changed twice and is now arriving at 3:42 PM.

[snip]

So when an airline changes your flight times are you allowed to book a different flight without the $50.00 per ticket change charge?

Your new arrival is only 62 minutes after your original arrival. How does your departure time compare?

If you look at AirTran's Conditions of Carriage, they probably don't have to do anything for you. But most airlines will be flexible about changing or refunding your flight without a penalty if there is a significant schedule change. The rule of thumb I've heard is that the schedule change must typically be 2 hours before it an "involuntary schedule change," but I imagine that different airlines have different rules.

As usual, if the agent can't or won't help you, ask for a supervisor. Be very nice and polite. Explain that the original time was already at the edge of what would work for you, but that the new arrival time has pushed beyond the edge.

 

[CarolMN]

I think the difference in arrival times has to be at least 2 hours before the airline has to allow you to change. Maybe Airtran is just nice about it.

Best wishes -

 

[BillSears]

Air Tran was having a busy day when I called earlier so I waited to try again after I ran some errands.

I spoke to a very nice reservationist and she was able to swap us over to the earlier flight at no charge. It didn't take any extra coaching or odd requests. I just explained that the later time didn't work out for us and asked if I could swap.

This is my first time flying Air Tran but so far they seem like a nice company to deal with.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm glad to hear that AirTran took good care of you.

American recently moved my return flights from Orlando (for two upcoming vacations) to 4 hours later than what I originally booked. Actually, I'm thrilled with the later departures, so I have any reason to call American. In the past, when American has changed flights, they've always taken good car of me if the new flight time didn't work for me.

 

[DrmWvr1299]

Last Dec they had changed our arrival time without letting us know online. I called to see if they were changing them any more before we left. The reservationist was polite and said she was not sure, but if the new time was inconvient she would book us on another flight at no charge for the inconvience. I told her no, we would keep the new time and new flight...it actually worked out better for us...got into MCO earlier than we had anticipated!