Continental Airlines lose a customer

[LarryM]

Hello All
I would like to share my tale. I purchased tickets in Jan. on Continental.com for my trip in Dec. 245 a person. Lo and behold the fare today on there site is now 155 from Newark to Orlando(For anybody that needs a good fare). I called and asked them if they issue travel vouchers for the difference( I have gotten them from Delta and USAir) they told me absolutely as long as a pay 100 dollars to canel the exsisting ticket and buy the new one. It's an E ticket I don't understand why it costs 100 dollars to change. I asked so my penalaty for booking early is I get to pay 80 dollars more. The customer service person told me it went down because they may not have forcast the fuel costs properly, In my part of the world fuel has gone up pretty good since January.Just for them In our paper today Jet Blue is now flying out of Newark and I hope they clobber them. Thanks for letting me ramble.

 

[moondance]

Continental is offering the same fare as Jet Blue. I forgot all about Jet Blue flying out of Newark when I came across the $155 RT fare today. I was shocked to see such a low fare, I purchased the airfare without further research. A few hours later, someone told me Jet Blue will be flying out of Newark. I checked JB's site and they were offering a RT fare of $155. I've always wanted to fly JB, but avoided doing so because I didn't want to fly out of JFK. I took a chance and called Continental to request a cancellation of my reservation. Much to my surprise, my reservation was cancelled. I am now booked on JB.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Had a similar experince with NWA. I just feel bad for the rep that gets an earfull . I guess its all about taking risks and playing the "market"

 

[ALEXANDRAM]

Don't feel so bad I am in same boat! My change fee for Sept flight booked on July 1 is $50, now they tell me with today's new low fares the new change fee is $25.00 for the $155 flight. Also they will not issue a travel voucher if I cancel my ticket, therefore it will not be transferrable. Only I can use cancelled ticket at a later date. Not happy.

 

[princessdaisy]

I bought tickets a few months ago from AA for 309.00 and now the price is 209.00 I usually just call and get a voucher for the difference but imagine my surprise when told "we don't do that anymore..now you have to pay 100.00 change fee" "its a new rule"...well, so much for booking early.

 

[DiscussDisney]

Sigh ....Continental lowered their fares because of Jet Blue (not fuel). The new fares only carry a $25 penalty vs. $50 or $100. You might try sending an email to CO. I had a similar situation last year (going to Tampa) where the fare went down $100 per ticket. I wrote an email and they sent me $200 in travel vouchers (better than nothing). But, now, I am DONE with CO. All future Florida travel will be booked on Jet Blue for my family.

 

[bicker]

Each week it is a different airlines that pax are swearing off. Two weeks ago it was Southwest, last week it was Jet Blue, this week it is Continental, next week it will be United, and the week after it will be US Airways. We've really dug a hole for ourselves in this country.

 

[safetymom]

Most folks are not aware of the rules before they book the flights. Being an informed consumer helps also. Research the fare rules before purchasing any ticket on any airline.

 

[Lewisc]

We all know the only reason for the fare reduction is JetBlue.

I don't know why your blaming Continental for your failure to check the terms of your ticket.

If the fare goes up Continental isn't allowed to bill you for the difference. I don't understand why everyone thinks they should get a credit if the fare goes down. BTW many of the airlines are now charging a change fee against the fare reduction credit.

 

[chipmunkfan]

What is the big difference between Continental & Jet Blue? I am getting a quote for Jet Blue $40 higher, however they do have leather seats and personal tv's. Is it worth the price difference?

 

[safetymom]

It all depends if your creature comforts are important enough for $40.

 

[chipmunkfan]

Safetymom,
I hear ya.....

spend a little more money and have more comfort
or
save money and fly Continental

decisions...decisions.....

 

[safetymom]

If it was a long flight I would take Jet Blue with the TV. There is more to keep you amused on the flight. My daughter would love it.

 

[DiscussDisney]

I don't know why your blaming Continental for your failure to check the terms of your ticket.

If the fare goes up Continental isn't allowed to bill you for the difference. I don't understand why everyone thinks they should get a credit if the fare goes down. BTW many of the airlines are now charging a change fee against the fare reduction credit.

I don't agree with this statement. For me personally, I knew the terms of my tickets. Airlines constantly encourage passengers to purchase their tickets in advance to ensure the lowest fares. When an airfare drops this significantly in such a short period, it is going to be a major disappointment for many.

Are far as receiving a credit if the fare goes down....I simply think it is just good business. If I purchase a TV for $2000 at Best Buy and the same TV goes on sale the following week for $1500, BB will provide me with a refund for the difference. It is just good business IMHO. Would you not be disappointed if this happened to you?

 

[safetymom]

You may have checked the fare rules but most people don't. Once I buy my ticket I don't check to see if the fare goes up or down.

 

[bicker]

I don't know why your blaming Continental for your failure to check the terms of your ticket.

I don't agree with this statement. For me personally, I knew the terms of my tickets. Airlines constantly encourage passengers to purchase their tickets in advance to ensure the lowest fares. When an airfare drops this significantly in such a short period, it is going to be a major disappointment for many.

Disappointment isn't really the issue. Blame is the issue. While I don't agree with Lewis' use of the term "failure," his message is on-target. The passenger aggrees to terms and conditions, and from that point forward those terms and conditions apply, regardless. There are no legitimate recriminations.

I get disappointed when my stocks go down, even though the broker said they were good investments. I don't blame the broker for my loss of portfolio value. I don't expect my broker to refund me the money I lost.

 

[DiscussDisney]

You may have checked the fare rules but most people don't. Once I buy my ticket I don't check to see if the fare goes up or down.

I usually don't check either (I don't want to know), but I forgot to turn off my Orbitz Fare Finder and I got the email yesterday.

 

[DiscussDisney]

Disappointment isn't really the issue. Blame is the issue. While I don't agree with Lewis' use of the term "failure," his message is on-target. The passenger aggrees to terms and conditions, and from that point forward those terms and conditions apply, regardless. There are no legitimate recriminations.

I get disappointed when my stocks go down, even though the broker said they were good investments. I don't blame the broker for my loss of portfolio value. I don't expect my broker to refund me the money I lost.

Honestly, it is a disappointment for me. I am not blaming CO for lowering their fares. They need to compete. That is good business. The reason I say I will no longer travel with CO is that my experiences haven't been the best with them. On the other hand, my experiences with Jet Blue have been great. For us NJ Newark Passengers, CO was the only game in town for non-stop flights to FLA. (except for a few Song flights). Now with Jet Blue, we have options. And the option for my family is to fly Jet Blue.

 

[BigTigger]

While I share LarryM's pain on changes like these, it is par for the course in a deregulated airline market. Continental's $100 change fee is on the high end of the scale and doesn't match Delta's recent change to standardize and reduce change fees with Simplifares. In reality, his $245 ticket includes about $40 in airport fees and taxes. Instead of worrying about whether the price will change for the better, I look at whether the original fare stands alone as a good value. While $155 is a good price, $245 isn't a bad value either. Regarding Continental giving credit for fare changes, it would seem to make sense from a customer service viewpoint, but what if fares go up? Should you pay more when fares go up too to share the upside risk due to higher fuel costs, etc.?

 

[ALEXANDRAM]

Thank you Discuss Disney!!! I agree!! My beef is that they are not consistent in the price of a change fee. Why should some be $100, $50, and some $25 for the exact same itinerary!