alaska changed my flights

[asumom]

I had great flights/fares on alaska, non stop SFO to MCO for our fall trip. Looked it up today and they are now 1 to 2 stop flights, most overnighters, which I cannot do. Went from 5.5 hours to 12-18 hour flights! I am going to call to hopefully get a refund as these flights are unacceptable. I have to start over. UGH

 

[sam_gordon]

I had great flights/fares on alaska, non stop SFO to MCO for our fall trip. Looked it up today and they are now 1 to 2 stop flights, most overnighters, which I cannot do. Went from 5.5 hours to 12-18 hour flights! I am going to call to hopefully get a refund as these flights are unacceptable. I have to start over. UGH

Before you call, look at their schedule and see if there's something else that works for you (either leaving or arriving the same day as originally scheduled). Don't worry about the price.

Once you have a flight picked out, then call them. Politely tell them their changes don't work for you, but flight # <insert number here> does. If you need to use connecting flights, list both. Ignore the cost. If they can't (or won't) change you to your desired flights, THEN ask for a refund.

 

[FCDub]

A flight change resulting in an overnight layover is certainly an extreme case that should allow for rebooking on alternate flights.

 

[asumom]

Before you call, look at their schedule and see if there's something else that works for you (either leaving or arriving the same day as originally scheduled). Don't worry about the price.

Once you have a flight picked out, then call them. Politely tell them their changes don't work for you, but flight # <insert number here> does. If you need to use connecting flights, list both. Ignore the cost. If they can't (or won't) change you to your desired flights, THEN ask for a refund.

Thanks. Their alternatives are crappy. According to their website, if a flight is changed by over an hour or a stop added (both in my case) you can get a full refund. So surprised that a major hub like SFO now has only one option for nonstop, United. Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento have no non stops or direct flights. UGH

 

[Akck]

We had the same thing happen to us when they canceled a late flight. We already had a connecting flight, but it put us there a day later. So now we had an overnighter and needed to leave a day earlier. Fortunately, we have family in our connecting city, so no hotel costs. It looks like we’ll be going in January, so we’ll schedule the same original flights, but plan on needing to change it to an overnight.

 

[yaywatermelons]

Same happened here for June trip. My sister scored an amazing first class non-stop on Alaska from SFO. Now it's a layover in Dallas.

Even United went from having 3 non-stops from SF a day each way to 1, so my lazy morning with an afternoon flight home was replaced by a really early Magical Express bus ride to the airport.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks. Their alternatives are crappy. According to their website, if a flight is changed by over an hour or a stop added (both in my case) you can get a full refund. So surprised that a major hub like SFO now has only one option for nonstop, United. Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento have no non stops or direct flights. UGH

The problem with the refund is you will now have to pay the going rate on another airline. A refund may still be the best option, but know what you're getting into before you request it (and find out how long the refund will take to get to you).

 

[asumom]

The problem with the refund is you will now have to pay the going rate on another airline. A refund may still be the best option, but know what you're getting into before you request it (and find out how long the refund will take to get to you).

Yes. I'm going to wait a bit and decide. But, definitely not going to go from 5 to 10 hours if that all that's available. We don't fly often so thus really caught me off guard.

 

[asumom]

We had the same thing happen to us when they canceled a late flight. We already had a connecting flight, but it put us there a day later. So now we had an overnighter and needed to leave a day earlier. Fortunately, we have family in our connecting city, so no hotel costs. It looks like we’ll be going in January, so we’ll schedule the same original flights, but plan on needing to change it to an overnight.

I can't do overnight or I'd try jet blue. I do dialysis treatments while I sleep. I have to bring all my supplies. That's another reason I'm looking for a non stop....to lessen chances that my supplies get lost. What a pain this is.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I can't do overnight or I'd try jet blue. I do dialysis treatments while I sleep. I have to bring all my supplies. That's another reason I'm looking for a non stop....to lessen chances that my supplies get lost. What a pain this is.

with medical supplies do not and I repeat do not check that bag. there is always a chance that bags miss the flight. years ago brother in law decided he did not need his car keys until he got home airport well you know where this is going. one bag did not make flight and it was bag with keys. and this was a nonstop flight.

 

[sam_gordon]

Since you only say "fall", I picked a random week in September and used Google flights.

Here are some of the results:


Looks like you should have some 1 stop options even if the nonstop don't work for you.

And I second, third, and fourth PP's suggestion of not putting your medicine in a checked bag.

 

[asumom]

Thanks. Yes, medicine will go in carryon but I will have one checked bag of medical supplies. I am looking at united for a non stop.

 

[asumom]

with medical supplies do not and I repeat do not check that bag. there is always a chance that bags miss the flight. years ago brother in law decided he did not need his car keys until he got home airport well you know where this is going. one bag did not make flight and it was bag with keys. and this was a nonstop flight.
[/QUOTE

I am on dialysis. My machine and meds will be with me but I have a large suitcase supplies that will have to be checked.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

make sure you have supplies enough for a night or 2 with you in carry on as there are times where checked case does not make your flight and yes it does happen not often. could also put in more than one checked bag.

 

[karen4546]

Thanks. Yes, medicine will go in carryon but I will have one checked bag of medical supplies. I am looking at united for a non stop.

My brother does dialysis and he ships his supplies but brings his machine. That may be an option. When I say he ships-he doesn't his supply company ships what he needs for the days that he is there.

 

[Heather07438]

I am going to call to hopefully get a refund as these flights are unacceptable. I have to start over. UGH

Different airline but similar happened to us. I called and was told wait until closer to the trip as they’re expecting more changes and there’s a good chance the flight won’t be much different than what was originally booked.

 

[asumom]

My brother does dialysis and he ships his supplies but brings his machine. That may be an option. When I say he ships-he doesn't his supply company ships what he needs for the days that he is there.

Yes, fluids/solutions will be shipped to my resort from the company but all other supplies must be brought by the patient. It's quite a but, 10 days of supplies will fill a large suitcase. It's checked for free because they are medical supplies. My machine will come to the main cabin with me, hopefully no issues there.