award mile flight changed

[jlou]

I just looked up my flights online, and found that my flight, which I booked using award miles (USAir dividend miles for United flights) has been changed. Now, I am not on the same outgoing flights as my family

Now I'm on hold, and I don't have a good feeling about this.

Is it normal for the flight to be changed without getting any kind of notification (phone call or email)? I can't believe this. This was the first time I've booked award travel, so I'm unexperienced with all this.

Any thoughts?

 

[seashoreCM]

If your ticket has a US Air flight number even though it is the same plane as your folks' with United flight numbers, I suppose that they can change you to another flight if it is now their own plane or if your flight number stays the same.

But I am surprised that they would be able to change your flight number when the flight number you used to be booked on still exists. Actually I don't think the airline may do this, and they should put you back on your originally booked flight(s) when you call it to their attention.

Also, if your flight schedule is changed and there exist other flights that work out better for you, the airline should switch you to your choice just for the quiet asking.

Flight changes without notice are very common with most airlines.

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

 

[KLondon]

In theory, it's not the norm for flights to be changed without notification back to ticket-holders. In practise, it's a different story. I've had a few situations where a flight was changed and no one contacted me - although the airline claimed they tried. In other situations the airline *has* contacted me, but I'm frequently amused(?) by the route they take to get to me - e.g. through a travel agent, through my office admin, etc. I will say that every time I book a flight on-line directly with an airline, I always get email updates for scheduling changes.

 

[jlou]

If your ticket has a US Air flight number even though it is the same plane as your folks' with United flight numbers, I suppose that they can change you to another flight provided that your flight number is the same as before.

But I am surprised that they would be able to change your flight schedule when the flight number you used to be booked on still exists. Actually I don't think the airline may do this, and they should put you back on your originally booked flight(s) when you call it to their attention.

Also, if your flight schedule is changed and there exist other flights that work out better for you, the airline should switch you to your choice just for the quiet asking.

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

We were all booked on the same flight, with the same flight number. I called USAir and booked everything at the same time. USAir booked our flights on United. So our flights were all listed on our two itineraries with United flight numbers. I'm so upset right now, but am trying to remain calm so that I can be "quiet" when asking. I had all the seats selected so that we were all together and everything.

I have both itineraries up right now on my screen. My family's flights have also changed slightly so I don't know if the original "flight" exits anymore, but the one they are on now has the same flight times (plus or minus a couple of minutes), but has different flight numbers.

I've been on hold for 40 minutes now. This stinks! I would have used Disney to book if it weren't for the award miles thing. I hope I can stay calm if they ever answer ,but it's so aggravating to listen to the propaganda while I'm on hold.

 

[jlou]

aaah! someone finally answered. Wish me luck!!!

so frustrating, the flight numbers and times she is telling me are not the same as what I'm seeing on the United website. Strange.

(I'm on hold again <sigh>)

Also, she is saying that our major flights (ie, from states to London and then back from Paris) are still together, although that is not what it says online. How am I supposed to get comfort with what my actual flight is if I can't trust what's on the website?

 

[jlou]

ok, after a full two hours on the phone, they have us all on the same flights again, but with an VERY long layover now that I'm not happy about. I don't usually mind a layover when I'm by myself, I can sit and read, and don't have to do anything. I'm a bit worried about the kids, but we'll just have to bring games and books and prepare everyone for a long wait. What can you do, it is what it is. I'm just glad for the happy ending.

btw, I asked if I could merge the two itineraries and the answer was no. She did say that they could note it on the two itineraries that we were traveling together, but said that that didn't mean anyone would read it. I did sign up for flight status alerts, but thought I already had that by virtue of having my email address on file. I guess not.

Oh, and the reason that all the different sources of information (phone system, online, and what the customer service rep) had differing flight numbers and times was because United was in the process of changing all of the flights.

 

[stenogoddess]

Glad to hear you got it sorted. And the airlines wonder why they're all having trouble? Yeah, that's a mystery all right! Have a super trip.

 

[jlou]

Glad to hear you got it sorted. And the airlines wonder why they're all having trouble? Yeah, that's a mystery all right! Have a super trip.

Thanks, we will! I am getting rid of all reminders of my previous, more convenient flights, so that I don't get annoyed. I'm also going to check my flights weekly, to make sure nothing has changed!