airline woes

[EEyorelover22]

I need info if anyone has it...

I have the worst luck with airlines after I buy plane tickets Some disers wanted to know what airlines I was flying next trip so they didn't buy those tickets!! TWA went under the first trip and was taken over by AA, NWA canceled our early morning flight on our 2nd trip, and ATA pulled out of our city this last June...

so...here's the question...

If I buy tickets that will probably cost $1200+
what happens if the airlines goes under?

Am I out all the money?

 

[tlmcmurray]

what about getting travel insurance? I got mine for $50.00 for my family of 4 for our vacation & it carries trip cancellation, lost baggage, rental car loss/collision, flight insurance, etc.

Search the web & you will find LOTS of choices.

Traci

 

[EEyorelover22]

Good suggestion
Do you remember what company you used?

 

[powellrj]

I know we had tickets on Baniff when they went bankrupt and stopped flying and were able to get our money back from our charge card company. You might check with them and see if thats still the case.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Thanks! Another great idea. I knew the right place to come for advice

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Absolutely use your credit card for the purchase of airline tickets. If the airline goes bankrupt the credit card company should refund you completely. That is as long as it is something like within 60 days after the debit appeared on your statement. Read the back of your credit card statement for more accurate info.

 

[CarolA]

If you are buying insurance verify it covers bankruptcy, not all of them do.

Try www.insuremytrip.com for info on insurance.

 

[Chicago526]

Also, if the airline goes under a few days prior to your scheduled flight (wouldn't that just stink?), some of the other carriers will accept your tickets as long as they have room on their flights.

Otherwise, your best bet is to try for a refund from your credit card company. The airline itself certainly won't refund them if they're in bankruptcy. Contact your credit card company to find out how something like that works, and if there is any kind time limit.

As for insurance, it's never a bad idea to have it anyway, it also covers in case YOU have to cancel due to illness or another covered emergency. Find one that covers bankruptcy, and you be double safe. Travelex (sp?) has a good reputation, try a Google search and read what they cover on their web site and get a quote.

 

[seashoreCM]

In some cases, if you pay by credit card and the goods are never received or the services never rendered or all of the airline's flights cancelled, you are entitled to a refund no matter how long ago you bought the items/tickets or where you bought them.

This probably varies in different states, you may need to ask an attorney.

At least find out whether other airlines will honor the tickets, perhaps for a small fee, before giving up.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Captain Blue Sky]

I agree with the travel insurance...

Travel insurance is so low cost and provides protection for all those unexpected occurences. Every major trip we have taken has had travel insurance, particularly if we are paying full fare prices (and not travelling non-revenue).

You can't predict what might happen, but at least travel insurance buys not only peace of mind but also covers you in the event something pops-up to disrupt your trip...

By the way, what city do you live in that ATA pulled out of?? San Jose??

 

[EEyorelover22]

We live in Cedar Rapids, IA. Now that ATA is gone, our air fares are very expensive. $505 to Orlando going to Moline, IL drops the fare to $278. It's 1.5 hours away and an easy trip. Still, in a city this size, it would be nice to be able to fly out of here rather than having to drive to Moline or Des Moines.

What insurance have you purchased, Captain Blue Sky?