Connecting Flight Disaster

[MzGemini]

I had book my flight on-line using a local travel agency’s website. It had preplanned flight routes that you could pick from. When I booked it stated the cities that I fly out of, get connecting flights in, and arrive in but did not state the actual airport. I now have nonrefundable tickets flying out of Halifax, Canada, with a connecting flight in New York, then off to Orlando. Now my dilemma is that when I received my confirmation e-mail it had the name of the airports along with Cities this time and I notice that I fly into New York, JFK and my connecting flight leaves from New York, LGA!

I called the travel agency whose website I used to book the flight and the travel agent I got told me that she would never book any of her clients on this flight plan that it is impossible to do. She basically told me that I’m out of luck and I have to call the Airline directly. When I called the airline they told me I could either hire a limo service or take public transportation to get between airports and hopefully I would make it in time. My only option would be to switch flights at a $135 (Canadian) charge per ticket for changing tickets. That would be an extra $270 for my son and me to switch flights to LGA.

This is difficult for me as I have a seven year old son and to manage all the bags and him, navigating through an airport and traveling through a city that I never been in before to get to another airport to have to recheck my bags and go through security again would be a challenage. Now, my plane lands in JFK on a Friday morning at 7:30 am and the plane at LGA leaves at 11:00 am. If I can manage the bags and my son, navigate my way through the airport and is able to book a car service…would I be able to make my flight? Does anyone know the New York area and what the traffic is like on that route on a Friday morning? It is also difficult for me to pay the extra $270 charge for switching flights as I would have to fly in the night before and that would mean that I would have to pay for another night in a hotel. As a single mother (aka family with a single income) I am on a budget and want to explore my options before I end up shelling out $500 more to fix this.

If anyone knows the New York area or been in this situation could give me some advice, I would appreciate it!

 

[Lewisc]

I don't know what consumer agencies in Canada you can complain to but I'd look for a complete refund. Claim fraud, I don't think what you have meets the normal definition of a connecting flight, you can't even check your luggage through.

http://www.kennedyairport.com/CommutingTravel/airports/html/ken_connect.html#lgajfk

It's about a $30 cab ride (plus tip) and it will take 30 minutes. Go right to the taxi line and let the dispatcher put you in the next cab. Don't accept a ride from a "gypsy" driver that may be in the baggage claim area.

I'm assuming you pre clear customs in Canada. Your flight lands at 7:30, even if it takes you an hour to get your luggage you'll be in JFK by 9:00, that's early enough for you to make your flight.

Actually first see what a better routing will cost you before you demand a refund. If you're saving enough $$$ then the extra $30 might be worth it.

What airlines are you booked on?

 

[MzGemini]

Thanks for the help. $30 + tip isn't bad at all. I was picturing us stuck in morning traffic with a $100 + cab ride. I'm booked on American Airlines.

 

[Lewisc]

Check the American website. Can you make due with carry on bags? That will save you some time.

 

[seashoreCM]

Whom did you pay? If you paid the money to the travel agency, then they are responsible for coming up with a do-able itinerary (time wise including connections), or tell you up front about any irregularities.

Do-able includes the provision that if you miss a connection including due to ground traffic delay between LGA and JFK, the airline is still obligated to honor the rest of your itinerary.

Fortunately you are dealing with a local travel agency so you can visit them and tell (not ask) them to fix the problem or refund your money. Do it tomorrow, not the day before you leave.

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

 

[bab31]

That is just outrageous. I would being doing everything in my power to make mangement of whomever made this error (huge error) fix it. And not take no for an answer. My usual question for something of this magnitude would be -to ask the person who booked it if they would accept this itinary and push from there. Good luck and at least you should be ok if you cant get it fixed - but not a good way to start off a vacation.

 

[pezheadmeg]

CALL THE TA NOW!
CALL THE TA NOW!
CALL THE TA NOW!

There is no possible way whatsoever that you'll clear customs and luggage at JFK, get in a cab, and make it LGA in the required time in Friday morning rush hour. As a native I'm telling you it's just not possible. If going through the travel agency is no help, file a consumer complaint, then call AA and pay the change fee. The airports are on opposite sides of the island, it might be less than 20 miles, but it'll never take less than an hour to do that commute. It's just not worth even thinking about taking the chance.

 

[MzGemini]

Thank you so much for all your help. I'm battling it out with the travel agency now. At first, the TA would not assist me then when she went online to see for herself and couldn't believe the flights just stated they were going in and out of New York but not what airport. So she said she didn't know what to do and would get the Manager to call me back. From the feedback I gathered on this theard I decided that transfering flights in different airports isn't going to work so a flight change is necessary. Thanks all for your feedback...it is appreciated!!

 

[Lewisc]

IF the OP pre-clears customs in Canada it's doable, particularly if she can make do with carryon.

I wouldn't have booked this combination, I'm not even sure you can call it a "connecting flight"

BUT I wouldn't cancel unless the TA can give you a similar price with a better connection. Getting a refund won't help you if it'll cost a lot more to get a beter connection.

There is no possible way whatsoever that you'll clear customs and luggage at JFK, get in a cab, and make it LGA in the required time in Friday morning rush hour.[/B][/COLOR] As a native I'm telling you it's just not possible. If going through the travel agency is no help, file a consumer complaint, then call AA and pay the change fee. The airports are on opposite sides of the island, it might be less than 20 miles, but it'll never take less than an hour to do that commute. It's just not worth even thinking about taking the chance.[/COLOR]

 

[dburg30]

And in this case, I'm serious I am curious to see what happens here.. Hope it works out well for you

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It is NOT a connecting flight. Are you flying American Airlines? If you are, and your TA does not book you on an appropriately-connecting flight in the next day or two (same airport, 1-3 hour connection time) please send me a PM and I will forward you contact information at AA to assist in the resolution. Technically, the TA 'owns' the reservation and they (NOT YOU) will have to eat the cost of the change or pay for the cost of your transfer to LGA, which as one poster pointed out, may not be doable in that time frame for an international arrival who hasn't cleared customs. Unfortunately, it's not an uncommon mistake for agents to make when they book travelers connecting in NYC as AA flies in and out of all three.

Good luck!

 

[canwegosoon]

I am sorry, but I have to agree...you will never make it. Clearing customs in 1 airport, cab ride, they you have to check it(ok maybe you could do that at a kiosk)but you still have to get through security, AND be at your gate 1/2 hour before flight takes off(you are going to be those ones "this is the final boarding call for...".

I hope something can be done with the TA, flight prices go up and down, so perhaps a flight will open up that will negate the loss(I have had that happen).
Good Luck

 

[Lewisc]

The TA never should have booked this. I think the OP is entitled to a full refund. BUT IF THAT RESULTS IN A HIGH FARE I THINK IT'S DOABLE. The OP will clear customs in Canada. 3 1/2 hours is probably enough time to get luggage and get to JFK in enough time to catch her flight. I'd try to go without checked luggage.

 

[seashoreCM]

Missing the plane out of Laguardia and finding out it is a separate itinerary and not a connection is worse. If you tough it out and problems go wrong on flight day, you'll find it much harder to get the travel agent to take responsibility. I vote for Fix It Now.

 

[Lewisc]

Missing the plane out of Laguardia and finding out it is a separate itinerary and not a connection is worse. If you tough it out and problems go wrong on flight day, you'll find it much harder to get the travel agent to take responsibility. I vote for Fix It Now.

I agree as long as the "solution doesn't cost a lot more. I checked and it looks like the 11:00a is the last N/S, AA flight from LGA to MCO. This plan is starting to look worse.

If your TA can't help you I'd take ExPirateShopGirl up on her offer.

AA doesn't list any flights (including connecting) from your airport to MCO. I don't know how the TA came up the bright idea of a JFK to LGA connection. Consider cancelling the LGA-MCO leg, insist on a full refund, and just booking JetBlue from JFK to MCO.

 

[MzGemini]

Still waiting for the Manager to call me back.

 

[bab31]

If by tomorrow morning you have not heard from the manager. ..(did you pay with your credit card? )Tell the TA is this is not resolved ASAP that you will be filing a complaint with your credit card co( cant think of the exact term but it means they will investigate for fraud. Call better business buraua and follow up expirate shopgirls advice.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> solution does not cost a lot more

If what you have can cost more (such as the consequences of missing the last leg out of New York) then it is a makeshift to begin with. If a real single itinerary costs more, then that higher cost represents the true minimum cost of traveling between Halifax and Orlando.

>>> Jet Blue

Taking a different airline from Halifax to JFK and JetBlue from JFK to MCO is also a double itinerary vulnerable to extra costs if you miss the second plane.

 

[Lewisc]

The difference is Jet Blue flies out of JFK, so a change of airport isn't required. The OP is booked on AA last flight of the day (LGA-MCO), real problems if she misses her flight. The OP doesn't have a connecting flight so she is in the same position as any other passenger that misses a flight. Jet Blue has flights almost every hour. Jet Blue will accomodate late passengers, on a later flight on a standby basis at no extra charge.

I don't know anything about flights out of Halifax. I'd think a connection, on one airline, through a different airport makes a lot more sense. I have no idea how much money the OP is saving with this arrangement.

>>> solution does not cost a lot more

If what you have can cost more (such as the consequences of missing the last leg out of New York) then it is a makeshift to begin with. If a real single itinerary costs more, then that higher cost represents the true minimum cost of traveling between Halifax and Orlando.

>>> Jet Blue

Taking a different airline from Halifax to JFK and JetBlue from JFK to MCO is also a double itinerary vulnerable to extra costs if you miss the second plane.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

There is no possible way whatsoever that you'll clear customs

OP would clear customs in Halifax before flying to the US and would not have to worry about clearing customs in the US.

Good luck in getting this flight changed.