Booked USAIR for Jan. 15th, can I get out of it?

[BWVDenise]

Without losing the entire cost of the tickets? Do any of the rules change that apply to "nonrefundable" tickets in this kind of situation (liquidation, etc)? If I have any options, I'd like to use them now instead of trying to figure out how to get home once I get to Florida. The only reason I'm even going is because I got cheap airfare and thought I'd go visit my parents. If I can book on Spirit instead and get some kind of refund on the USAIR tickets, I'd rather do that. Does anyone know if there are any options beforehand???
Thanks.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I have RT tickets for USAir on 1/28. I used FF miles, so if they aren't around, I'll have only lost the $5 per ticket transaction fee that they charge. But, for my return trip on 1/31, I really do not want to get stuck in Orlando. So, I purchased fully-refundable one-way tickets on SouthWest.

If USAir is still flying, I'll be going home on them and I'll get my money back from SWA. If they bite the dust, I'll be coming home on SWA. I'll be a little poorer in the process but I'll be home. You might want to do the same thing with a return trip using Song.

If you purchased your tickets with a credit card, you can try to get your money back thru them. But you'll only be successful if USAir doesn't fly to MCO on 1/15. You won't get a refund of your $$$ if you just want to back out because you have misgivings about their future.

 

[safetymom]

They are non refundable tickets so you won't be able to get your money back. There is a deadline on Jan. 6 for USAirways so you should have a better idea if they will be flying by that date.

 

[CarolA]

As Safetymom said, you are really stuck. The airline is still flying and you can't just get a refund. The rules don't change unless USAir actually does quit flying. Let's hope they do keep flying. Lots of poeple will lost thier jobs if they don't survive.

However, if they do quit flying you can fly standby on any other scheduled carrier for a $50 fee.

 

[DebbieB]

Maybe I'm being naive, but if USAir suddenly stopped flying I would think the government would have to step in to help thousands who would be stranded. Maybe they would at least keep them going for a short time so people could get home. Other airlines have suddenly stopped flying but I don't think they were near as big as USAir.

 

[CarolA]

The goverment has stepped in. They have mandated that all other carriers honor USAir tickets on a standby basis for a fee of $50. That is about all they will do. They did nothing else when Braniff and Eastern went under and Eastern was pretty big at the time.

I found this intersting (and depressing) It is a story on Braniffs final hours http://www.braniffinternational.org/history/finalhours.htm

 

[aec]

If you booked onine less than 24 hours ago you can cancel online and get 100% money back no questions asked.

I did this a few weeks ago when independence came out with really cheap ticktes the day after I booked USair.

 

[BWVDenise]

Regretably, I booked on Christmas.

 

[Docsknotinn]

You could always try checking with your CC and see if their is some coverage that might help. Sometimes Gold cards etc have perks that are easily overlooked. It can't hurt to ask. You could try auctioning them on Ebay. Anything would be better than a total loss or feeling uneasy the whole time you travel. FWIW I wouldn't count on the $50 standby. If they close shop there will be thousands looking for help with only so many stand by seats available.

 

[CarolA]

I don't think you can auction the tickets on EBAY. The name on the ticket has to match the passengers IDs and discounted tickets are not transferable.

Most CC coverage won't kick in until you don't get what you were promised.

I would watch the posts on www.flyertalk.com on the USAir forum. (Safetymom is a mod there) Those folks have LOTS of interst in what is happening and are staying on top of the situation.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Yes thats a good point on selling them. I'd still check with the CC because it just never hurts to ask and you might find you have coverage that will help later.

 

[DebbieB]

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-12-31-usair-reorganization_x.htm

I agree with Docsknotinn that the $50 standby isn't going to go far. Most airlines are flying close to capacity, they would not be able to handle all the extra passengers. Now United is threatening to strike. My bet is USAir will reach a deal with another airline to take over routes, similiar to how American took TWA.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I don'y think there's any question that others will be bidding on those routes. US Air has a pretty good grip on their market. That probably won't help those who might get caught in the middle traveling. The $50 voucher is great if you get caught unexpectadly but I for one wouldn't want to depend on it if I had the chance to be prepared in advance. Everyone has different tolerances though so it will work for many. Hopefully everyone here gets where their going and has a happy holiday.