Airtran sent me an email...

[DISNEYLOVER70]

They have changed our return flight to leave at 8:00 am in the morning instead of 10:30 a.m. The email said if I was unhappy or the changes were not acceptable to contact them and gave me a number to call. Does anyone know if I can change the return home day or does it have to be the same day? We were actually considering shortening our trip by a few days and paying the $100/per ticket change fee......anyone try this?

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

I did this in December and the rep gave me the option of cancelling with a full refund or switching flights within 24 hours before or after flight time.

 

[ancestry]

That has been my experience as well. That they usually allow you to change the flight without a service change to anything that is available within a 24 hour period of the original flight time. However different people seem to have different experiences so your best bet is to call them.

 

[keishashadow]

changing to another flight is subject to availability

 

[richmo]

Before you call AirTran, I'd check with competing airlines as well to see if they have more convenient schedules and/or prices. This is enough of a time change that you have the right to cancel the entire itinerary and rebook with them or another carrier.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

Spoke with a representative. I can either book a different return flight 24 hours before or after the original return flight, or they will give me a full "credit" to my account that I can use within one year. No cash refund tho.

Not sure what I want to do from here. Thanks for your posts!

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

I did this in December and the rep gave me the option of cancelling with a full refund or switching flights within 24 hours before or after flight time.

Did they give you full refund in the form of a credit voucher or cash? The rep told me that I couldn't cancel and get a refund of cash, but I could get a full refund in the amount I paid for the tickets in the form of a travel voucher good for one year.

 

[DVCBELLE]

The refund will be however you paid for it.

I called one time and said that I wanted to cancel b/c we were changing our plans b/c of the schedule change and the rep offered to move me 7 days either way. So when you call to cancel they might make that offer. Let them know you are canceling b/c the new time doesn't work and so you want to come home 2 days earlier now.

Worst case scenario is they say no - you get a refund and rebook.

Also check the prices both ways. If it is more now for the flight there - ask if you can just cancel your return leg. Then you can just rebook home.

In the past, I have actually cancelled b/c of a schedule change and rebooked the same flights b/c they were cheaper.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

The refund will be however you paid for it.

I called one time and said that I wanted to cancel b/c we were changing our plans b/c of the schedule change and the rep offered to move me 7 days either way. So when you call to cancel they might make that offer. Let them know you are canceling b/c the new time doesn't work and so you want to come home 2 days earlier now.

Worst case scenario is they say no - you get a refund and rebook.

Also check the prices both ways. If it is more now for the flight there - ask if you can just cancel your return leg. Then you can just rebook home.

In the past, I have actually cancelled b/c of a schedule change and rebooked the same flights b/c they were cheaper.

Nope- only offered me a refund in the form of credit voucher good for one year I tried to get her to just change my return flight home by two days but she wasn't having any part of it. Problem is now, if I have them cancel and issue credit and then rebook, the departing flight is now higher also. What a drag. I will payapprox $350 more for the new flights. And no option of booking with another airline because of credit voucher.

She made a note on my account that I am considering my options and will call back with a decision.

 

[keishashadow]

Nope- only offered me a refund in the form of credit voucher good for one year I tried to get her to just change my return flight home by two days but she wasn't having any part of it. Problem is now, if I have them cancel and issue credit and then rebook, the departing flight is now higher also. What a drag. I will payapprox $350 more for the new flights. And no option of booking with another airline because of credit voucher.

She made a note on my account that I am considering my options and will call back with a decision.

are u an AT rewards member? if so, call their phone # (on the website) and ask to speak to a supervisor, indicating you aren't happy & want a full refund credited to ur CC or the flight changed to the one you want.

as with disney, if u don't like the 1st answer u receive, call again & yet againif you still aren't happy, ask to speak to customer relations/corporate.

good luck

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

are u an AT rewards member? if so, call their phone # (on the website) and ask to speak to a supervisor, indicating you aren't happy & want a full refund credited to ur CC or the flight changed to the one you want.

as with disney, if u don't like the 1st answer u receive, call again & yet againif you still aren't happy, ask to speak to customer relations/corporate.

good luck

Thank YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read your post and thought, their right. I called and Pedro told me that the first rep was incorrect. I can change the flight returning to anyday within 7 days of original return flight! And it doesn't matter the current price... He said that I was inconvenienced so whatever works for me........

So thank you again

 

[dudspizza]

I called and Pedro told me that the first rep was incorrect.

Way to go Pedro! Vote for Pedro!

 

[keishashadow]

de nada

 

[DVCBELLE]

I am glad you got the right answer!! I have never had them only offer me a voucher! Just last week I cancelled a trip no questions asked b/c they changed my time by 45 minutes. Stinks that you had to call back to get the answer you wanted! Airtran reps are usually pretty helpful.

Last time I was at the airport - the girl working there told me in the future to call her instead of the 800 number b/c she has more flexibility in changing flights than people on the phone. I have never had to call her but for those who find the phone operators difficult - heading to the airport might be a way to get the answer you want!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I have a quick question for you.....WHY do airlines change flight times? I have never had this happen to me, and I don't know the reasons why it happens. Is it because the plane didn't fill up??

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I have a quick question for you.....WHY do airlines change flight times? I have never had this happen to me, and I don't know the reasons why it happens. Is it because the plane didn't fill up??

It can be numerous reasons. It could be condensing the number of flights based on the forecasted/actual seats sold. It could be losing their flight slots (or not wanting to pay for them). It could be equipment changes due to scheduled downtime not originally forecasted when the flight schedules were developed, etc. It also doesn't have to be at the airport you are flying out of because planes move around a lot and the plane might be changed three legs prior to yours and that is impacting your leg.

 

[keishashadow]

I have a quick question for you.....WHY do airlines change flight times? I have never had this happen to me, and I don't know the reasons why it happens. Is it because the plane didn't fill up??

my take on AirTran out of PIT, outright dropping of NS flights (think an evening cancelled & being placed on only other one very early in am) is a capacity issue. Otherwise the tweakings seem to be under an hour or two for connecting flights ive monitored; unfortunately i've had flights changed 8 or 9 times up to day prior to trip (both arrival & departure)

still, i fly them if the price difference is substantial

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Oh my! That is crazy. I leave for Florida in 18 days and I am afraid they will try to change our time. We have never flown on SouthWest before. We don't have much flexibility due to our jobs. Do they usually try to give you at least a 2 week notice?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Notice can be hours before the flight, but I wouldn't be too concerned with Southwest, they're a little better then most on flight time changes.

 

[keishashadow]

Oh my! That is crazy. I leave for Florida in 18 days and I am afraid they will try to change our time. We have never flown on SouthWest before. We don't have much flexibility due to our jobs. Do they usually try to give you at least a 2 week notice?

SW has never changed a departure time on us...they've departed latetypically, due to weather. You can depend on them.