Airtran - Changing vs Cancelling

[DSLTX]

We have a trip planned 7/13 - 7/18. Last minute concern about son having to do summer school (UGH!) which include these dates. I know if we "change" our trip, we incur a $75 per ticket change fee. However, if we cancel, I know we'll have the credit on file for one year.

So, if I have to change/cancel my current flight for an August date, do I just cancel it - then come back the next day and book my new flights? Does this avoid the $75 per ticket change fee?

 

[snowbunny]

Cancelling will still incur the $75 fee, which is deducted from your credit. (The tickets are nonrefundable, unless you paid a business class fare.)

 

[keishashadow]

at the risk of drawing fire here ...with ATs record of changing flight times; u might get "lucky" and they could change (or already have changed the flight time you originally booked)

not exactly in the spirit of which they intended, however, u could try & lobby for full refund if it is the case

 

[cbrfan]

at the risk of drawing fire here ...with ATs record of changing flight times; u might get "lucky" and they could change (or already have changed the flight time you originally booked)

not exactly in the spirit of which they intended, however, u could try & lobby for full refund if it is the case

I gotta agree here. I think your best bet is to watch for a schedule change for your flight. You're going to incur the $75 fee if you cancel today or the day before you leave. If they do change it you will most likely be able to get a complete cash refund. While it may be not be "in the spirit" of their intent, if they're the ones instituting the change there's certainly nothing wrong if it causes a convenience vs. an inconvenience to the passenger. The only place you may have to make a decision is if a great fare opens up for your new dates, if you have them. Then you would need to decide if you want to eat the $75 change fee or book the new flights while leaving the old ressie intact, hoping for a change. If you plan an additional flight, it's a no-brainer.

 

[vbarry]

They changed our flight by about five minutes in Feb. I had to then change the flight due to an incoming snow storm. Left out a day earlier and no change fee or charge for the difference in tickets.

If Airtran changes your flight for any reason you are allowed a change for no fee.

 

[crashbb]

They changed our flight by about five minutes in Feb. I had to then change the flight due to an incoming snow storm. Left out a day earlier and no change fee or charge for the difference in tickets.

If Airtran changes your flight for any reason you are allowed a change for no fee.

Were you allowed to change because of the incoming snow storm? Usually the time change has to be "significant" for them to waive the fee - and five minutes doesn't usually count. On the other hand, with incoming storms, airlines sometimes waive their change fees.

OP - if you are canceling outright, the PP's strategies make sense. However, if you are planning to re-book, you run the risk of the new fares increasing by more than $75 while you wait, which means you'd actually lose out.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Does Air Tran change times, or type of flight? Meaning, do they make a layover on non-stop flights? We are considering using them out of Buffalo for August 2009, but would rather pay more to fly from our home airport if we can't get and keep a non stop flight.

 

[snowbunny]

Meaning, do they make a layover on non-stop flights?

Yup, this happened to me. Nonstop changed to a two-stop (I got a refund on that one).

 

[cbrfan]

Does Air Tran change times, or type of flight? Meaning, do they make a layover on non-stop flights? We are considering using them out of Buffalo for August 2009, but would rather pay more to fly from our home airport if we can't get and keep a non stop flight.

Like other airlines, AirTran does change times and number of stops on occasion. These changes are more common in some airports and practically non-existent in others. I hope snowbunny will correct me if I'm wrong (I could be thinking of another poster), but I believe she had an early afternoon non-stop that was cancelled. The only other non-stop was around 8 a.m. Other than that one flight, the only other option was a 2-stop. So my advice to anyone booking on any airline is to check an airline's schedule for possible alternate flights in the event your preferred flight is changed or cancelled.