Airfare change and Unused ticket question

[Melora]

I know there is nothing I can do about this but I thought I would post anyway because you never know.

I began looking for tickets about a month ago for our November trip. I had hoped to fly Song for a rate simliar to the one I got over the summer ($220). The only rate they had on Orbitz was for over $325. There was no rates available even close to what I was hoping to pay for a non stop flight.

As I watched the fares over the course of a week, I saw even the one stop flights growing in price and nearing $250. I worried that I would not be able to get a flight so I booked a Continental one stop over flight from LAX to Orlando for $227.

I felt pretty good about that rate until I was just looking (note to self.. DONT JUST LOOK) at Orbitz the other day and found that Song had lowerd their fares to $202 for a NON stop flight.

I realize its not the end of the world and the money difference is only about $180 total, but I hate hate hate taking off and landing and now I have to do it 4 times instead of just 2. (Believe me, for the scaredy-cat I am, thats 2 extra times of fear and panic as the plane lifts off and then as it lands).

So I am assuming that since these are non-refundable tickets I cannot do anything about that right??


Secondary issue and question is that I also purchased 2 tickets for my sister and niece who are not going to use them so I have 2 tickets that I can't get my money back for..... Will the airline allow us to "keep" those seats and not sell them as no-shows to people on standby? At least it would make me feel better to have 2 extra seats to spread the 6 of us out into since I paid for them anyway. Has anyone ever been able to change the names on the tickets so someone else can use them?

 

[chipscinderelly]

Secondary issue and question is that I also purchased 2 tickets for my sister and niece who are not going to use them so I have 2 tickets that I can't get my money back for..... Will the airline allow us to "keep" those seats and not sell them as no-shows to people on standby? At least it would make me feel better to have 2 extra seats to spread the 6 of us out into since I paid for them anyway.

I believe that if they don't show and people are waiting to fly standby that the airline can (and probably will) fill the seats.

Most airlines will allow you to use the amount towards another ticket within a certain amount of time for the original ticketholder. You would pay the change fee ($75 or $100 normally) and any fare increases. I know on American I've done this and had to use the funds within a year of the original date of travel.

 

[CarolA]

Basically you are stuck. Since you booked on CO, you really don't have a way to change these flights to Song.

The only way to hold "extra" space is to buy two tickets in your name. (People have done it) And even then you have to be agressive. Since your tickets are in someone else's name, their reservations will be cancelled when they don't show. You can ask at the counter, but it probably won't work.

Have you spoken with CO. Normally the tickets can be used as credit towards another flight. It will cost $100 so you would only have $127 a ticket to use to buy something else, but that is better then nothing. However, you have to notify them that you won't be using the ticket prior to the flight to have that option.

 

[Melora]

The information I got was that the airline won't change the NAMES on the tickets. Thats the issue. I would bring my mother and father in law if could change the names....

I pretty much am resigned to the stop over, but I would love to be able to use the tickets that I paid for already.

 

[cruzindisney]

I am going through a similar situation. I purchased and paid for using my credit card, 8 tickets on Song from Hartford to Orlando in January 2005. As it turns out, my daughter and her husband are now in the process of a divorce and he will no longer be going on the trip with us. I called Song and was told the only way to request a change for these reasons was to send a written request. I have done that and am awaiting a reply. I realize you are booked on a different airline, but maybe a letter explaining the circumstances might help. Just a thought. Good luck.