Bad Airline Experience

[mouseaider]

Rochester also has Jet Blue but so far I've not been able to fly with them.

Airtran has a much better schedule to Orlando.

Jet Blue was way higher to Cancun.

When the merger between Southwest and Airtran moves along we expect Southwest to take over here in Rochester with most of the same routes.

 

[NancyIL]

Rochester also has Jet Blue but so far I've not been able to fly with them.

Airtran has a much better schedule to Orlando.

Jet Blue was way higher to Cancun.

When the merger between Southwest and Airtran moves along we expect Southwest to take over here in Rochester with most of the same routes.

Here's hoping Southwest doesn't pull out of Rochester, as AirTran did from my nearby airport (Bloomington, IL) in June.

 

[lugnut33]

If you were fine with the airfare when you first purchased, then you should still be fine with it even if it drops (or goes up).

The way I handle it, if the price is OK, I purchase it and don't worry about any more.

 

[mouseaider]

Here's hoping Southwest doesn't pull out of Rochester, as AirTran did from my nearby airport (Bloomington, IL) in June.

Oh.... sorry to hear that. But it's already been announced that they are taking over the Rochester terminal area that Airtran has. It will be great not having to drive to Buffalo to fly Southwest.

If you were fine with the airfare when you first purchased, then you should still be fine with it even if it drops (or goes up).

The way I handle it, if the price is OK, I purchase it and don't worry about any more.

I'm usually the same way. I would not have even known about it if I didn't have to buy another seat for a family member that changed her mind. Live and learn!

 

[NancyIL]

Oh.... sorry to hear that. But it's already been announced that they are taking over the Rochester terminal area that Airtran has. It will be great not having to drive to Buffalo to fly Southwest.

I'm usually the same way. I would not have even known about it if I didn't have to buy another seat for a family member that changed her mind. Live and learn!

I had hoped Southwest would keep AirTran's routing from BMI - but instead they dropped it before AirTran ceased to exist.

If a price drop happens within 24 hours of purchasing your tickets - you can cancel and get a full refund. However, most people aren't lucky enough for that to happen.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I had hoped Southwest would keep AirTran's routing from BMI - but instead they dropped it before AirTran ceased to exist.

If a price drop happens within 24 hours of purchasing your tickets - you can cancel and get a full refund. However, most people aren't lucky enough for that to happen.

Hi neighbor!

I'm sad that AirTran doesn't fly out of BMI anymore. We had a wonderful experience with them when we flew in March.

I think we can get to Orlando International directly through Frontier now.

I haven't heard too much chatter about Frontier on these boards...I wonder what they're like...

 

[Planogirl]

Hi neighbor!

I'm sad that AirTran doesn't fly out of BMI anymore. We had a wonderful experience with them when we flew in March.

I think we can get to Orlando International directly through Frontier now.

I haven't heard too much chatter about Frontier on these boards...I wonder what they're like...

We flew Frontier to California a few years ago and liked them quite well. Unfortunately, we'd have to fly to Denver first to fly east but I keep hoping that they'll expand.

 

[Bertnie20]

I personally love frontier, and won't switch! I have flown on delta and southwest and frontier was the best one of the reasons I like them also is you can pay a little bit more, and get stretch seating, priority boarding same day changes for free etc plus 2 checked bags included. not all that's included but some. Oh u also get free tv with the upgrade.

 

[Brian Noble]

But my future travels will most likely be on Southwest as soon as they begin flying out of Rochester in place of Airtran.

For what it's worth, SW is rarely less expensive than Delta for DTW-MCO, and SW doesn't fly non-stops on that route---even after you add in the luggage fees (if you have to pay them). They may be more competitive in other airports, I can't say.

Our only other viable option in the past has been AirTran (I won't fly Spirit on a bet), and with the upcoming merger, well, I'm not holding out hope that my fares are going down...

I hope things work better for you when/if they come!

 

[mouseaider]

For what it's worth, SW is rarely less expensive than Delta for DTW-MCO, and SW doesn't fly non-stops on that route---even after you add in the luggage fees (if you have to pay them). They may be more competitive in other airports, I can't say.

Our only other viable option in the past has been AirTran (I won't fly Spirit on a bet), and with the upcoming merger, well, I'm not holding out hope that my fares are going down...

I hope things work better for you when/if they come!

Thanks Brian.....

As I see it, if and when Southwest takes over for Airtran in Rochester (late summer), the routes are better and the fares cheaper.

Most of our flights are to MCO to visit Mickey.

With Delta you can get assigned seating. You pay $25 for the first checked bag, $35 for the second.

I'm a Delta American Express Gold Card holder ($95 annual fee).

I get one checked bag for each person traveling on my reservation. I get priority boarding for everyone on my reservation. I can either fly to DTW or ATl to connect for MCO. If the fare goes down, you can not get a credit for the difference.

I also have the Southwest Visa Card ($65 annual fee).

With Southwest you do not get assigned seating, but do the cattle call at the airport based on when you did the online check in. You get two checked bags free and there are no change fees. If they lower the fare, they will issue you a credit to use in the future.

Southwest is taking over Airtran's routes so there will be at least one nonstop flight to and from MCO each day.

All in all..... I think we will be flying Southwest for about 95% of the time.

 

[goofy4tink]

While I understand, 100%, the difference's between Delta and SW, I do have to comment on the 'cattle call' issue. It truly isn't a really cattle call anymore. Yep, it used to be..you lined up, and stayed in line, according to when you got to the gate. Huge pain in the horse's patootie. I have no issue at all with the boarding as it is now. I get up from my nice seat and stand in my assigned spot about 15 mins prior to boarding. I usually get to choose the seat that works for me...seldom do I have to make do with a seat that I don't want.
But, with Delta??? I have had flights with them that they changed at least 4 times prior to actual departure dates. I have had them take away my chosen seats...I have had them split my dd and I up, even though we were on the same itinerary!!! I had to go and check on my flights and my seating many, many times with Delta, and the closer to travel day that I got??? Checked twice a day!!!
Now, it's SW/AirTran or JB for me. They haven't 'done me wrong' yet...so, will continue to give them my business.

 

[Brian Noble]

As I see it, if and when Southwest takes over for Airtran in Rochester (late summer), the routes are better and the fares cheaper.

Well, I sure hope so. But, like I said, Southwest is typically *significantly* more expensive than Delta out of Detroit to MCO. If your route prices out differently, that will be great!

 

[aubriee]

Thanks Brian.....

As I see it, if and when Southwest takes over for Airtran in Rochester (late summer), the routes are better and the fares cheaper.

Southwest is taking over Airtran's routes so there will be at least one nonstop flight to and from MCO each day.

All in all..... I think we will be flying Southwest for about 95% of the time.

Hope you have better luck than we did. Due to the Wright ammendment SW can't fly out of DFW, so when they took over Air Tran one of the first things they did was pull out of DFW last Nov. Since then our airfares have doubled. Fares that used to run around $200.00 are now over $400.00 routinely. SW flies out of Dallas Lovefield, but their fares normally run over $400.00 and they can't fly nonstop to MCO. When we still had Air Tran they kept everyone's prices in line, but with them being gone, American can charge whatever they want. American and Spirit are now our only choices for nonstop flights. I flew Spirit this past May and got a great deal of $148.00 r/t. Even with all their fees, they were alot cheaper than the over $400.00 that all the other airlines out of both DFW and Dallas Lovefield were charging. I'm flying them again in Sept and again got the $148.00 r/t, while all the other airlines around here were charging over $400.00. We hated it when Air Tran left Dallas. I fly to MCO several times a year and the base fare for airfare was always around $210.00, but I was always able to find r/t tickets on sale for $158.00-$198.00, but not since this past Nov, when Air Tran left. Over $400.00 is the new norm.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My wife and I usually travel about twice a year and of course Walt Disney World is our favorite destination.

But lately we had to skip our plans for the WDW F&W fall trip to attend the wedding of my DW's son to a wonderful lady in Cancun, Mexico. We are extremely excited about this wedding.

We watched the fares of Airtran, Delta and a few others for over a month and almost purchased tickets a couple of times. Then it happened.... Delta had a good fare and we bought and used some of my air miles to help with the cost.

Ten days later, I was looking to add my DW's sister and found out the fare had dropped $82.80 for each. I was excited and called Delta right away to get a credit for the lower fare.

I spoke with a very polite CSR that said we would have to pay a change fee and if there was anything left over they'd issue a credit. I asked to speak with her supervisor and was connected to him. I got the same answer.

I sent a complaint email to Delta and received the following reply the same day.

Am I wrong to be upset with this??? Is this just corporate greed???

Comments and/or suggestions appreciated. Thanks for letting me vent. Rant over.

You are absolutely wrong to be upset. You should have read Delta's policies for changing tickets, which are clearly stated on their website, before booking your ticket. Almost all airlines charge fees for changing tickets and have for years. Complaining to Delta was a waste of time.

 

[Patrickprincess]

From the OP, it sounds like the person on the phone did explain the policy - she said they'd issue a credit, less the change fee. The OP just doesn't like the policy and thought that Delta should make an exception.

I think i know what you feeling,I booked air through United I don't think i will be useing them again. I booked the air back in March and since then they have changed the departure time four times. They however didn't charge the change fee. This latest flight change was cheaper than when i first booked by $22.50. They didn't put it back on my card,it was a creidt for a future flight. I called them very poliety expalined to them i probly will not be flying until after the credit expried. I even asked if they could put this on a gift card to use durring my flight. They said no. So i'm out the money.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Hi neighbor!

I'm sad that AirTran doesn't fly out of BMI anymore. We had a wonderful experience with them when we flew in March.

I think we can get to Orlando International directly through Frontier now.

I haven't heard too much chatter about Frontier on these boards...I wonder what they're like...

I'll let you know. DD13 and I are heading down for our girls only summer trip. We got the best deal BMI to MCO $210/person. We have never flown Frontier, but I am looking forward to it.

 

[bumbershoot]

While I understand, 100%, the difference's between Delta and SW, I do have to comment on the 'cattle call' issue. It truly isn't a really cattle call anymore. Yep, it used to be..you lined up, and stayed in line, according to when you got to the gate. Huge pain in the horse's patootie. I have no issue at all with the boarding as it is now. I get up from my nice seat and stand in my assigned spot about 15 mins prior to boarding. I usually get to choose the seat that works for me...seldom do I have to make do with a seat that I don't want.

Agreed.

And when I fly United or Virgin America or Alaska, the ones with assigned seats and specific ways of calling people up (but without the numbered and lettered signs and poles) almost everyone clumps up in front of the gate and makes people fight to get through. And they are standing there *at least* half an hour before boarding-time.

With SW, everyone's sitting down and relaxed until their boarding letter is called. And in my own personal experience at the airports I've flown SW out of, if people try to get in line beforehand, the gate agents will tell them to sit down.

It's so much more of a cattle call with the assigned-seat airlines than it is with SW.

 

[shannonstar]

I booked last night and today the flight is cheaper. I knew it might happen after reading this post, so I know not to be upset or disappointed. So, to the original poster, thanks for the warning. Sorry you are upset about it.

 

[NancyIL]

I booked last night and today the flight is cheaper. I knew it might happen after reading this post, so I know not to be upset or disappointed. So, to the original poster, thanks for the warning. Sorry you are upset about it.

You can cancel your ticket if less than 24 hours since you booked it for a full refund. Just make sure the new fare is still available.

 

[NancyIL]

I think i know what you feeling,I booked air through United I don't think i will be useing them again. I booked the air back in March and since then they have changed the departure time four times. They however didn't charge the change fee. This latest flight change was cheaper than when i first booked by $22.50. They didn't put it back on my card,it was a creidt for a future flight. I called them very poliety expalined to them i probly will not be flying until after the credit expried. I even asked if they could put this on a gift card to use durring my flight. They said no. So i'm out the money.

Almost all airlines make schedule changes - especially if you book months before your departure date. If United gave you the $22.50 in a credit without charging a $150 change fee (their usual) - consider yourself fortunate!