Back from Florida!- Direct air stranded us......

[fitmom3]

we're back from Florida. my sister called us on Wed to advise direct air went bankrupt OR suspended flights.....we scrambled and ended up booking the last van from Avis at MCO. We drove from MCO to Niagara Falls Airport to pick up our vehicle. We then had to drop off the rental at Buffalo airport. the drive wasn't too bad. The rental vehicle cost $500. The parking lot at Niagara Falls airport was still full. We still had a good vacation. I'm glad we booked Friday to Friday because this gave us the option to drive. I spoke to a family at the pool and they got the last couple of seats with Jetblue. They spent $2500 for those seats!!!! My kids were so good on the long drive home. I would say this was more of an annoyance for us then a ruined holiday! I hope other Canadians get home safe.

 

[newdeal]

It should be law that when they suspend flights they have to get people back home for at least a week. Shame on jetblue for taking advantage of those people, i know they are trying to make money but seriously

 

[dancin Disney style]

Jetblue didn't take advantage of anyone.....have you ever looked at the price of a last minute ticket? In particular, during a holiday period...it's spring break in several southern states right now. Approx 10 days ago I checked the prices from BUF to MCO for departure anyday this past week...it was about $700/person and that was prior to the Direct Air thing.

 

[SmilingGrump]

Stories like yours are the reason why my wife and I refuse to book on the "charter" airlines. While neither one of us would mind be stranded AT our vacation destination (there's always ways back even if it takes a couple of days), it's being stranded prior to our vacation that worries us.

Anyways, I'm glad you made it back and the experience didn't ruin your vacation. You've managed to turn a problem into something you and your family will reminisce for years to come. Trust me, THIS will be the trip you all remember, and being able to do so positively and with laughter will add a LOT of value to your family's vacation memories

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Jetblue didn't take advantage of anyone.....have you ever looked at the price of a last minute ticket? In particular, during a holiday period...it's spring break in several southern states right now. Approx 10 days ago I checked the prices from BUF to MCO for departure anyday this past week...it was about $700/person and that was prior to the Direct Air thing.

I agree.

We booked airfare with JetBlue for your New Years trip on August 5th.

Just for fun, we continued to watch prices up until our departure date (December 31). By the time our travel date arrived, prices were double the rate we booked at.

And more in that regard.....we booked our August/September flights in early January, just after our return from this most recent trip. Even in the last 60 days, our ticket prices have gone from $868 for three tickets to $1225. That's more than 30%. In just two months!

Last minute airfare usually doesn't come cheap. So glad to hear the OP made it home safe and sound (and with such a positive outlook). I have thought of the Direct Air-affected families all weekend, and wondered how they were making out. Thanks for posting OP!

 

[encinc]

Last minute airfare usually doesn't come cheap. So glad to hear the OP made it home safe and sound (and with such a positive outlook). I have thought of the Direct Air-affected families all weekend, and wondered how they were making out. Thanks for posting OP!

Me too! I've been reading of lots of people scrambling to make reservations for trips a couple of months away, but I really felt for those who were on vacation and had to scramble. I am so happy to hear that what happened didn't ruin the OP's vacation, and I hope we hear more positive stories in the next few days! I'm sure there were lots of other Canadians affected.

 

[Sue M]

Glad it didn't ruin your vacay!

If you pay your air with Visa, don't they cover that sort of thing?

Airlines shouldn't be allowed to just strand people like that, and should make sure people get alt. flights on other airlines.

 

[minnie55555]

My family of six just returned last week from Florida... we flew SW from BUF-FLL for a 7N cruise on Allure of the Seas and then returned from MCO-BUF. I am the "Planner" for my whole family.

The week before we left, my BIL told me his co-worker is also going to Florida and he got his flights for less than $150 return! My sister told him that the "Planner" likes to be on the safe side!

Just before we left for our trip, my BIL thanked me for being "on the safe side" and then told me that his co-worker is scrambling to find alternative flights!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I just found out yesterday that friends of ours were standed by DA right after their March Break vacay. They didn't find out until the night before they were to fly home. They still had agreat time and have no complaints about the situation.

They ended up renting a car and driving back....I found out as they emailed me from the road.


I suppose it might have worked out for the best....not finding out in advance doesn't give you any time to worry about it. You just have to figure something out on the fly.

 

[ccgirl]

Glad it didn't ruin your vacay!

If you pay your air with Visa, don't they cover that sort of thing?

Airlines shouldn't be allowed to just strand people like that, and should make sure people get alt. flights on other airlines.

Direct Air does not have an agreement with other airlines. That's why I always paid more for my tickets for airlines that do have multiple flights out, along with agreements with other airlines.

 

[Polydweller]

It should be law that when they suspend flights they have to get people back home for at least a week.

The fuel company would not fuel their planes. Pretty hard to get people back on planes without fuel. And if you don't have the money to pay for fuel you don't have the money to get seats on other airlines. It really isn't practical to require this as nice as it would be.

 

[fitmom3]

I'm so glad that driving was an option. We got to stay at the resort for a couple extra hours on our last day. I spoke to my credit card company and it looks good that my refund will be coming. They just have to retreive my statement from MC since I paid over 6 months ago. If the refund comes I won't be out too much money (maybe $100).....I would have been more upset if I didn't get to make the trip!

 

[jelo]

Good for you for thinking of driving, I probably wouldn't have and paid the airfare!!!

I was going to book Direct Air, I was really close but went with SW instead because of all the wonderful advice here on the DIS!!! Those quotes were so low and tempting!!

We would have been the family sitting on the plane not going anywhere!