Airline notified me of time change...

[Dizma]

of departure .....what recourse do I have. I know there is a rule or law about what options I have if this happens. Can anyone fill me in please? Thank You

 

[ducklite]

Which carrier and how much of a time change?

Anne

 

[safetymom]

Yes we need more details in order to help you.

 

[kjs1976]

Again...not for sure with each specific airline...but when we flew AA this fall they changed us to a later flight and I called and she rebooked us onto an earlier flight because the airline had made the change. Hope this is the case with you and you can call and make a chnage to a flight better suited for your travel needs.

 

[isyt]

Last year we were going to fly Spirit and they had significant schedule changes and other cheap fares had opened up so we got a full refund and went with Jet Blue.

 

[bicker]

The amount of time that constitutes a major schedule change varies from airline to airline, but it is typically either two hours or four hours. If the change exceeds that airline's threshold, they'll gladly refund your money. They'll often, though, be very accommodating about rescheduling you for any other flight they fly that day between your two cities, as long as there is availability on those flights in the fare class you paid for.

 

[Dizma]

Thanks everyone! The airline is Spirit, and the change is later on the same day. From what I have read Spirit seems to be more rigid w/ customer service when changing flight times. I do know that there is a law about this that's why I am surprised to hear that different airlines handle this differently. Still don't know the specifics of the law. I thought that it was 1 hour or more. Does anyone recall? What are your expieriences w/ Spirit and changing departure times? Thanks again!

 

[bicker]

There is no law regarding schedule changes; there hasn't been since deregulation many years ago. Each airline sets their own rules in their Contract of Carriage. Most of the airlines have it available on their website. Here's a link to Spirit's:

http://www.spiritair.com/welcome.aspx?pg=contractcarriage

Here is the rule applicable to your flights:

Times shown in a timetable or elsewhere are not guaranteed and form no part of the terms of transportation. Spirit may, without notice, substitute alternate carriers or aircraft, and may alter or omit stopping places shown on the ticket in case of necessity. Schedules are subject to change without notice. Spirit is not responsible or liable for making connections, or for failing to operate any flight according to schedule, or for changing the schedule of any flight.

So it is basically up to Spirit just how generous they would like to be in this regard.

 

[robinb]

Have you called them yet? Most airlines are very flexible when it comes to rescheduling you on a different flight if they have a schedule change.

 

[Dizma]

Thanks Bicker!!! You seem to know your stuff. That's why I love these boards-always someone willing to help. Thank You!

 

[bicker]

Robin is correct: Most airlines will be far more generous than their rules require them to be.

 

[Lewisc]

Most of the major airlines will accomodate you if the change is more than 2 or 4 hours. The charter type airlines only have to get you to your destination the same day as your reservation otherwise you're not even entitled to a refund.

If you go down a couple of sections from where Bicker quoted you'll find:

In the event that Spirit is unable to provide a previously confirmed seat and is unable to reroute the passenger to their satisfaction via Spirit, Spirit will refund as indicated below:
If no portion of the ticket has been used, the refund will be equal to the fare paid by the passenger.

You should be able to use this provision to obtain a refund. Asking for a full refund might motivate Spirit to provide a better alternative flight but if you booked a deeply discounted fare they might prefer to just give you a refund.


Spirit does say you'll be put on the next available flight so the issue would only come up if you wanted to take an earlier flight or a flight on a different day.

 

[bicker]

Or if the next few flights on that day were not available.

 

[Lewisc]

Or if the next few flights on that day were not available.

That's my point, in that case the passenger might prefer an earlier flight or a flight a day earlier or a day later. Those solutions require an accommodation by Spirit and the suggestion that the passenger might be requesting a required refund might motivate such an accommodation. Now if the passenger has one of those crazy, almost free, fares the airline might prefer to issue a refund. Ask the wrong way and your refund might get issued before you can change your mind.

At least Spirit isn't allowed to keep the next flight open for new bookings at higher fares and put the passengers on the last flight of the day.