Anyone flown on USA3000?

[Lewisc]

Well, we booked our trip for April 06 with them. I can't take playing the "when will SWA release their flights." Last year we did this and I checked everyday. One morning at 11:00 am, I checked their website and nothing.

Two hours later, I saw a thread here about flights. I booked over to the website and they were gone. In less than two hours - I put too much effort into that and got nothing out of it.

We're traveling Easter week, so I'm sure their will be people on the flight, hopefully enough to keep the flight going. If not, then we'll stay at our friends room or hang at the airport for the next flight.

We are meeting 5 families there and we did not want to waste time looking each day for a flight.

In your position I probably would have booked USA3000. The problem is if they decide they can make more money flying an extra charter flight to Cancun and drop flights to Orlando. For a peak travel week, when you don't have other options, it's probably worth the risk.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

They are still up and running. There is nothing really to be worried about. They are one of the first new airlines after 9/11. The airline is doing well. They did drop the meals to keep the ticket prices the same because of the gas prices. My sister has worked for them for almost 2 years now. They are looking into buying a new plane and hiring more staff.

Thanks for the info. We were nervious booking with them at first, but that has worn off. We are flying out on the busy Thanksgiving weekend so worst case is we get a different flight home. And, there is no rush to get home for me

 

[ntburns22]

Consider barb007's post. As a charter airline they don't have to give you a refund as long as they get you to your destination the same day as your reservation. They're owned by Apple Vacations and if they need the plane to go to Cancun your flight is history.

They are not owned by Apple Vacations. They are chartered out by Apple vacations for chartered flights example Cancun. USA 3000 has scheduled service through FL. When getting on USA3000 plane on the right hand side it says leased by Brendan Airways. That is who they are owned by. They do not cancel flights due to lack of passengers. They have brought 20 people back from Ft Myers. With 168 seats on the plane that is not profitable. But they do not cancel flights due to lack of people.

 

[Lewisc]

They are not owned by Apple Vacations. They are chartered out by Apple vacations for chartered flights example

The owners of Apple Vacations are the people who started USA 3000 as an in house charter airline. The corporate address for USA300 and Apple Vacations are the same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_3000

You're correct Brendan Airline is the corporate name, USA3000 is the marketing name and Apple Vacations is the owner.

They can't cancel a flight with only 20 passengers if they need the plane to be in the destination for their next flight.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Really. They cancel flights a lot?

This happened to my sister recently. They called her to cancel her flights with no real explanation.

 

[Laurajean1014]

All airlines cancel flights.

I have been canceled by Continental, American, SWA, Airtran and USAir.

They can either refund me my money or place me on another carrier/flight within the same day. It's happen to me before.

 

[Lewisc]

All airlines cancel flights.

I have been canceled by Continental, American, SWA, Airtran and USAir.

They can either refund me my money or place me on another carrier/flight within the same day. It's happen to me before.

Under the right circumstances I'd fly USA3000 but it's not really fair to compare them to other airlines. Other airlines will offer you a refund if the alternative flights offered are more than a few hours different than your original flight. Other airlines have multiple flights a day to play with. In some cases USA3000 doesn't even have one flight a day.

If USA3000 puts you on another flight with another airline anytime the same day, even an indirect connection, you're not entitled to a refund.

 

[Laurajean1014]

That's okay. My goal is to get home, not get a refund and then to buy another ticket at a much higher price with another airline.

I'm looking forward to flying with USA3000 ~

 

[Goofy22]

As I said in the previous post they cancelled my outgoing flight yesterday but not my incoming flight from orlando to phl! I spoke to a rep named shelley yesterday she did the paperwork to refund my outgoing flight it takes 72 hrs on there part for the paperwork to go thru and then it could take anywhere from 4 to 6 wks for you're credit card company to reimburse you! I'm hoping since mine was a debit card visa that it will be there within a few days since 4 to 6 wks will be my trip! And we obviously are ona budget! Now I have been leary about the incoming flight so I called them back today! And I talked to a michelle and asked what the odds are of that being cancelled she said right now she is not sure but they can cancel up to the day before but they usually do not! I told her I was on a budget and the only reason we were flying them was the price and now it's a inconvience because I am having trouble with 5 people one way flight if I fly spirit then I fly back usa3000 I'm in Phila not jersey and now I have no car! So she was really nice and put me on hold while she spoke to her manager and they are going to refund me the entire cost for both outgoing and incoming! And I'm either going to go with Spirit or Southwest! I want to be sure I use someone that will have another flight at some point in that day incase of cancellations etc...
So I just wanted you to know I was mortified but they were very nice and I was happy with the outcome! Now I'm just waiting for the reimbursement to hit my account! And the stress will be releaved! Just wanted everyone to know they were very professional handling the situation and they were very nice!

Really. They cancel flights a lot?

I booked back in May and they just cancelled my outgoing flight today due to they said fuel costs! My return flight is supposedly still happening! The girl said it was not being cancelled! I said I can't afford them calling me next week or a few weeks before my october trip and having to scramble to find air! She said it wouldn't happen so we'll see! It takes them 72hrs to refund you're money! So now I have to wait 2 days before I can book my new flights I'm going with SW that was my original plan and I shouldve been patient and waited but I didn't! I'm keeping my fingers crossed they don't cancel my nov 4th return! Because I will be real PO"D because they would only refund me one way as of today ! Now they are inconviencing me and I still have to suffer and hope they don't cancel!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

OOOHHH, I'm getting very nervous now! I will not be able to afford replacement airfare even with the refund.

I did call 2 weeks ago for seat assignments and was given row 8 out and 9 coming in. Hopefully that doesn't represent how uncrowded the flight is.

I'm going to drop them an email.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I Just dropped an email to USA3000 about cancellations. I highly doubt they would tell me if my flight was in jeopardy, but if they cancel, we will have to drive. I DON'T want to do that!! I'm probably getting ahead of myself here, but sometimes I really have to learn to follow my gut instincts!

 

[barb007]

Goofy22 - how were you able to get a refund w/USA3000? They were adamant about NOT giving me one when I requested it.

My husband called USA3000 last night to confirm our flight out on Sunday - which is sold out. According to the rep. our original flight was cancelled due to lack of attendance on the flight & the high cost of fuel. It wasn't cost effective for them to fly out to Orlando today (Sat.)

I'll try USA3000 this one time but next time, I told dh, we can deal w/driving to Orlando.

 

[Goofy22]

My outgoing flight they cancelled it's not even on the bookings anymore! They are flying to bermuda the day before and the day after! They said it was due to lack of people and the gas prices being so high and not having much feul to go around they offered the refund for that flight because they had no flights other than that going my day! So I had to find airfare for the 26th! I called back today and explained to them that my outgoing flight was cancelled and that I was only flying out of PHL because there prices were great and it was a huge inconvience for me to fly out of Jersey and return to PHl because I really want to fly Spirit we always have and never had and cancellation problems! and If I fly out of NJ and return to PHL how am I getting home? The girl I spoke to today was nicer than the girl yesterday the girl yesterday just said they could only refund the outgoing flight! Today the girl I spoke to spoke with her manager and he or she ok'd it.I haven't gotten it yet we'll see I'm sure I will though since they said they were refunding it! Right now airtran and southwest have very comparable rates! But I heard Airtran cancels alot also! I'm thinking of paying about 40 dollars more a person and flying spirit but with 5 people that's apprx $200 more! But I think it may be worth it! I really didn't have to go out of my way for the refund maybe I somehow got lucky for once and got a nice person who was willing to go the extra mile! Because I never get lucky! Was you're flight cancelled to? when is you're other flight that is almost full? Maybe because they couldn't accomdate me with another flight for that daqy I don't know! I was at work and they left me a message that they were refunding it and that southwest and airtran had flights those days comparable to what I paid them! Hope this helps you!

Goofy22 - how were you able to get a refund w/USA3000? They were adamant about NOT giving me one when I requested it.

My husband called USA3000 last night to confirm our flight out on Sunday - which is sold out. According to the rep. our original flight was cancelled due to lack of attendance on the flight & the high cost of fuel. It wasn't cost effective for them to fly out to Orlando today (Sat.)

I'll try USA3000 this one time but next time, I told dh, we can deal w/driving to Orlando.

 

[Lewisc]

I haven't read the fine print in USA3000 website but I don't understand how they can canel the outbound leg of a R/T ticket without offering you a refund of the entire ticket. Do they expect youto walk to Orlando? I don't think they any option but refund your money.

My outgoing flight they cancelled it's not even on the bookings anymore! They are flying to bermuda the day before and the day after! They said it was due to lack of people and the gas prices being so high and not having much feul to go around they offered the refund for that flight because they had no flights other than that going my day! So I had to find airfare for the 26th! I called back today and explained to them that my outgoing flight was cancelled and that I was only flying out of PHL because there prices were great and it was a huge inconvience for me to fly out of Jersey and return to PHl because I really want to fly Spirit we always have and never had and cancellation problems! and If I fly out of NJ and return to PHL how am I getting home? The girl I spoke to today was nicer than the girl yesterday the girl yesterday just said they could only refund the outgoing flight! Today the girl I spoke to spoke with her manager and he or she ok'd it.I haven't gotten it yet we'll see I'm sure I will though since they said they were refunding it! Right now airtran and southwest have very comparable rates! But I heard Airtran cancels alot also! I'm thinking of paying about 40 dollars more a person and flying spirit but with 5 people that's apprx $200 more! But I think it may be worth it! I really didn't have to go out of my way for the refund maybe I somehow got lucky for once and got a nice person who was willing to go the extra mile! Because I never get lucky! Was you're flight cancelled to? when is you're other flight that is almost full? Maybe because they couldn't accomdate me with another flight for that daqy I don't know! I was at work and they left me a message that they were refunding it and that southwest and airtran had flights those days comparable to what I paid them! Hope this helps you!

 

[Laurajean1014]

I haven't flown with them yet, but I'm not expecting any trouble. We are flying during one of the busiest weeks of the year, so I expect the plane to be fun. If they cancel the flight, I'll get a refund and fly someone else, or wait for another flight from USA3000.

Not worried, I've been cancelled by USAir, Continental, SWA, American and JetBlue.

 

[graygables]

They called me last week to tell me that my direct flight from CLE had been rescheduled w/ a stop in Pittsburg. Usually no big deal, but I have a DD w/ special needs who needs "one up one down". I tried to call yesterday, spent an hour and a half on hold during 3 different calls and got nowhere (computer problems), so I emailed CS. Someone is supposed to be getting back to me on Tuesday about my refund request. I'm just hoping that Continentals rates don't skyrocket before then!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Graygables - let us know how you make out.

 

[gigi1313]

I cannot wait by the computer for SWA or other airlines to graciously lower their already overpriced rates.

i have not read all the way thru the thread (sorry!) but this jumped out at me and i have a suggestion... get a travel agent! he/she will find you the best price!

also, i do not know where in CT you are, but i have never had a problem getting $49 from long island (islip) to mco at any time of year (via swa) and a) do not think they are overpriced at all... any chance you would be willing to fly from there (you could take the ferry)... also, there are often great fares out of providence which, depending on where you are in ct, would be worth looking into...

 

[graygables]

AFter finally getting hold of someone, USA 3000 cheerfully refunded my money for the Dec flight that was changed from a nonstop to a layover. They were very nice about it. I rebooked us on a N/S Continental for $50 LESS than USA3000, so I'm thrilled about that, too! Whew...that's a relief!

 

[leanne11]

if you want to take the chance that is....