Bad Experience with USA3000

[DawnL]

We had 4 tickets booked on USA3000 out of Newark to Orlando for next April - the week right before Easter. 3 tickets were booked together and then 1 more was added/ We received a call yesterday re: the first 3 tickets saying that the flight was cancelled, no explanation and we would need to rebook with another airline - they even suggested we try Jet Blue. We then received a call hours later about the last seat, offering to switch us to a flight out of Phili for the same price. My husband asked why we weren't offered the same deal with the first 3 tickets that were cancelled and the person had no answer - said we could try to call their reservation #, maybe they could tell us. Well of course, we had no interest with staying with USA3000 for fear that the same thing might happen again even closer to our travel time. Jet Blue was over $300 at this point - we did get lucky and were able to get Continental into Ft. Lauderdale for $258. We are going to be at the Vero resort, so a 2 hour drive isn't too bad. I was reluctant about trying USA3000 in the first place, but figured we were flying a peak week and would give them a try. Never again for us.

 

[bicker]

A single ticket is a completely different demographic than three tickets together on the same itinerary. Despite the fact that you intended it to be a set-of-four, that wouldn't be evident from the sales data. Special arrangements, such as what was offered in the case of your single ticket, would conceivably be first directed to the demographic that the company's research indicates is a high-priority target demographic.

I sure can understand pulling away from USA3000 -- they surely aren't an airline I'd have even considered.

 

[Lewisc]

USA3000 is a charter airline that doesn't have the same policies as "regular" carriers. For example they can increase the fare even if you paid for your ticket. If the increase is major, more than 10%, you have the option of paying up or getting a refund. They can change your flight time, add a stop or even an indirect connection and as long as your flight is the same day you're not entitled to a refund. They can even accommodate you with another airline and you're not entitled to a refund. If a flight isn't full enough, or has too many discounted passengers, they can cancel the flight and just refund your money. USA3000 is owned by Apple Vacations. If they need the plane for a charter to Cancun they may cancel your flight.

When I bring that to fliers attention the reply is inevitably yes but USA3000 is offering a better fare than other airlines. It's easy to offer a good fare if you don't really have to deliver.

Jet Blue will sometimes offer an additional discount, around $35, if you tell them your airline cancelled your flight.

 

[bicker]

All true, Lewis, but all of things are true of the other airlines too, except for the change-in-fare stuff.

 

[Lewisc]

All true, Lewis, but all of things are true of the other airlines too, except for the change-in-fare stuff.

Most of the "regular" airlines will give you a refund if the change is over a certain threshold. I don't think any scheduled airline will deny a refund request if the change is more than 2-4 hours. The customer has a choice to accept the change or find alternate transportation.

An airline like Delta may reduce the frequency of flights but it's unlikely that they won't offer a BOS-MCO customer an alternate flight for the fare quoted. Granted it might be a connecting flight but the charter airlines just give passengers refunds and force them to look for airfare at whatever fare is currently available.

 

[CarolA]

All true, Lewis, but all of things are true of the other airlines too, except for the change-in-fare stuff.

Not really....

For example, if I am on DL and my flight is delayed/cancelled there are several options. One is another DL flight, another would be to have DL write me over to another airline. On a charter you are NOT going to be written over to another airline and in most cases you get the ONE flight a day, so if they cancel it you are just stuck. Most of your majors don't just up and pull out like this even with all the bankruptcy filings.

My bigger concern with charters is the risk of bankruptcy. As has been seen with both TransMeridian and Southeast, they tend to just shut down. I think the fuel prices are a much bigger deal to them. They don't have fliers like me paying full fare to offset some of the increase.

The cancellation reason is another issue. DL, NW, AA etc. don't WANT to sell all the seats cheap this early. They want to hold out some seats for the walkups willing to PAY!

 

[bicker]

they can increase the fare even if you paid for your ticket. ... They can change your flight time, add a stop or even an indirect connection and as long as your flight is the same day you're not entitled to a refund. They can even accommodate you with another airline and you're not entitled to a refund. If a flight isn't full enough, or has too many discounted passengers, they can cancel the flight and just refund your money.

all of things are true of the other airlines too, except for the change-in-fare stuff

Most of the "regular" airlines will give you a refund if the change is over a certain threshold.

I was referring to your comment about USA3000 being able to force folks to accept fare increases even after they book their flight. Regular airlines DON'T do THAT.

On a charter you are NOT going to be written over to another airline and in most cases you get the ONE flight a day, so if they cancel it you are just stuck. Most of your majors don't just up and pull out like this even with all the bankruptcy filings.

My point was that the major airlines are permitted to arrange for passengers to be carried by other carriers, just as Lewis described.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Dawn -

They canceled our flight (for week before Easter 2006) due to "fuel costs." Anything under $300 is a very good price - take it.

 

[CarolA]

I was referring to your comment about USA3000 being able to force folks to accept fare increases even after they book their flight. Regular airlines DON'T do THAT.

My point was that the major airlines are permitted to arrange for passengers to be carried by other carriers, just as Lewis described.

Sorry, I misunderstood!

As I indicated I have stayed away from Charters. The savings aren't worth the trade off to me.

 

[mom22boys]

My USA 3000 flight for November 10 just got canceled too. I really had to scramble to find a replacement. Thankfully, all four of us are able to fly Airtran for just $80 more. I would have been really upset if it would have been hundreds of dollars more. I will never book with USA 3000 again!

 

[barb007]

Something similar happened to us w/USA3000. One week before our flight in Sept to Orlando out of Newark, USA3000 called & cancelled our flight - would not offer a refund because they offered us an alternate flight on Cont. that left at 8:30 pm getting us into Orlando after 11pm. This was not an option for us because my daughter who was 21 months was w/us. They ended up putting us on a Sunday flight out which had over an hour delay because they double booked! I had to scramble to find a new hotel due to the date change.

The ironic part is that on the Sunday we left, USA3000 had double booked & had the audacity to ask me if I wanted to give up my daughters seat & have her on my lap for a refund. I said to the agent "you have the nerve to offer me a refund NOW after my original flight was cancelled and I couldn't get a refund? No thanks, I paid for a seat for my daughter & I want her to have it".

Never ever will I fly USA3000! Our return trip had a stop in Philly for a 20 minute fuel recharge which turned into an hour because suddenly, they were picking up passengers (to the surprise of the airline attendants) - the passengers boarded w/o seat assignments & were told to find an empty seat, it would be sorted out at Newark. Wonder what time that flight left Newark?? I can imagine how delayed it was.

I'll pay the expense next time & fly a major carrier.

 

[harleyquinn]

I really wish I had seen this before I booked my flight 2 weeks ago. I'm almost positive my flight will get canceled. It's a very low travel time. I wish I could get out now...