Delta called me about my Song flight, and asked me not to go.

[gallaj0]

I've never had this happen before, so I don't know if it's anything new, or am I going to have problems with this flight?

Delta called me at home last night, about my reservations for August 16th, Boston to Orlando. We have 5 seats, originally on the early flight (7:35 AM) that Song cancelled, even though it was 80% full. They booked everyone on that flight onto the next flight of the day, at 11:35 AM. Some people changed to another flight, but I think most stayed, since it's still the earliest flight. When I found out, I called Song, they told me they weren't going to reinstate the early flight, and that the 11:35 flight wasn't overbooked yet.

So last night, Delta calls me to give up my 5 seats on the flight, and flyout later in the day, or the day before or after.

I've never had an airline call me to ask me to change my flight like that, and when asked, she admitted to the flight being overbooked, but wouldn't tell me how much. I know they'll always overbook if they can, but is this common? Calling people a week and a half ahead of time to try and make space?

Also, since it's obviously overbooked, do you think I should get there even earlier for the flight? I had planned on 2 hours, but with the extra scrutiny at the security, and the possibility of being bumped with 2 kids, and a mother in law that hasn't flown in 30 years, I'm getting a little ansy.

Thanks, and sorry for the length.

 

[mazzarafe]

I'm not sure how common this is for the airlines to call you about this, but it does make me very nervous. I too am looking to book the early flight out of Bradley with Delta, just waiting for prices to go down. But I'm a nervous wreck over them doing just this to me. I want to book them for their flight times, early arrival and late return because we are squeezing this trip in between DH teaching schedule and Christmas.

I like SW but I hate there times for this trip. There prices are rather high for me too, even when they released there new schedule for December all the cheap fares for my flight down were unavailable.

I would definately get to the airport earlier just to be sure that you are on that flight. I bet there are others thinking the same thing as you too. I hope everything turns out good. I cannot believe they canceled a flight that was 80% full. That is just rediculous and they wonder why they aren't filling there planes.

 

[DebbieB]

Did they offer compensation for you to switch your flight? If not, then they were just trying to get around having to offer compensation to people they will have to bump if the flight is overbooked.

 

[gallaj0]

No, they didn't offer anything for compensation, but then again, I didn't even think to ask until after I hung up. They sounded pretty desperate to get us off that plane though. I may call Song today and ask what's going on, just to see if someon else has an answer, or an offer. I may not pass up some freebie tickets, it would let me use my new Annual Pass that much sooner.

 

[Lewisc]

I'd look to fly the night before. Try for a free ticket. What did you pay, SW is currently running a FL special ($49 OW) see if they will at least match the price and give a REFUND NOT VOUCHER for the difference.

 

[shoes99]

I got a call the day before a Continental flight to FL 2 years ago. They wanted to know if I was going to be on the flight. I said yes. They then said thankyou and hung up. When we checked in early for the flight to MCO, we found out they changed equipment and had oversold 25 seats. There was a band parents goup on board and they needed to get them to FL for their high school Disney Parade. We didn't give up our seats. We were anxious to get to FL. They did start with the customary $250 credit towards your next ticket. I don't know what the final offer was.
But that was the first time an airline ever called us to see if we would be flying on our scheduled flight.

 

[alexturner74]

The Boston - Orlando Song flights are a special situation. The 0735 flight was done away with, so most everyone booked on those flights were automatically moved to the 1130 flight.

Although all flights can be overbooked, what has happened is not a typical situation overall. The 1130 flights are grossly overbooked because the 0735 flights were eliminated and most everyone has been moved to that flight. That is why they are calling ahead of time to ask people to change their plans. I'm sure it's a pre-emptive measure to avoid a lot of pissed off people at the airport when they are denied boarding, as well as the compensation that would be required.

 

[seashoreCM]

Don't agree to give up your seats over the phone. Instead show up at the airport anyway. If you get there early, you will have the choice of giving up your seats and getting a bonus (probably about $400. in vouchers per passenger, or staying on your flight.)

Even if they did offer compensation over the phone, you have nothing in writing. You might even go down to the airport on your own as soon as possible after the call and collect some compensation up front if you fly out the previous night.

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

(If you get to the airport too late you won't have the choice but you will have compensation if you are bumped.)

 

[Maxwell]

The SONG schedule from Boston is terrible. No early flight. American just added a 7:00AM flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yikes! If you remember correctly John, we were originally on the same flight as you but we opted to fly the day before rather than on Sat. Now I'll be sitting here tonight wondering if they're going to call me too. We're flying on the 11:35 flight on Friday the 15th. And the last time I checked the plane had only two seats left on it.I guess we'll see what happens. I'll let you know.

 

[BusterCat]

Another option is to fly to Tampa. We, too, booked the 7:35 direct flight for our trip in October. When I found out that the flight had been changed to 11:30, I rebooked. Song has a direct flight to tampa at 7:30 in the morning. You arrive in Tampa around 10:30. WDW is a short, simple 50 minute ride away.

I hate missing a day of vacation sitting in airports. I would opt to fly into Tampa or play it safe and fly in the night before and stay in a cheap hotel.

Good Luck.

 

[Kimberle]

There is a law (FAA) saying that if an airline "bumps" you, they MUST put you on the next available flight, any flight, any airline. I can't remember the law #.

If it were me, I'd go to the airport extra early. First come first serve & you may get your flight, if not *insist* they put you on the next available flight.

When we were in FL 2 years ago, our flight was canceled coming home. We didn't mind, we stayed at the Hyatt at MCO. We were going to pay for it ourselves, but Delta gave us a voucher for the full cost.

Do your homework (all flights out to MCO), arrive early (I'd say 2.5 hrs), take cell phone. In case you're told to stand in another line, call Delta's 800#.

 

[CarolA]

If you have seat assignements, I would not really worry about arriving any earlier then you planned two hours. (For Boston I would be there two hours early!) UNLESS, you want to see about taking the bump for compensation. However, that said make sure you get enough to make it worth while.

Even if they are overbooked they normally don't start dealing with it at the gates until about 1 to 2 hours in advance when they start active check in for that flight. There are not enough people there for them to start begging earlier then that!

It is not really first come first serve, there are LOTS of factors the airlines consider. For example my flight today was delayed for several hours. They rebooked us on the next flight based on Fare class (i.e., my full fare ticket was rebooked immediately!), frequent flyer status etc.... Full fare tickets are rarely bumped on an involuntary basis even if they arrive at the last minute.

 

[Lewisc]

There are (almost) always more than enough volunteers. If you're concerned go to your airlines website and access the contract of cariage. Print out the section on denied boarding.

Song uses the Delta rules. First class are taken care of first. If First class is oversold they get first crack at coach. People with boarding passes (who check in at least 15 minute before the flight) get next priority. Passengers without boarding passes are handled based on when they check in.

At least for Delta fare basis (other than first class) isn't supposed to matter.

 

[gallaj0]

I thkn we're just going to get there extra early, and get on board ASAP; we were discussing taking the bump at the airport for the compensation, but with a 4 and 6 year old, I don't want to spend any more time in the airport than we have to.

 

[keith-atl]

Originally posted by gallaj0
I've never had this happen before, so I don't know if it's anything new, or am I going to have problems with this flight?

Delta called me at home last night, about my reservations for August 16th, Boston to Orlando. We have 5 seats, originally on the early flight (7:35 AM) that Song cancelled, even though it was 80% full. They booked everyone on that flight onto the next flight of the day, at 11:35 AM. Some people changed to another flight, but I think most stayed, since it's still the earliest flight. When I found out, I called Song, they told me they weren't going to reinstate the early flight, and that the 11:35 flight wasn't overbooked yet.

So last night, Delta calls me to give up my 5 seats on the flight, and flyout later in the day, or the day before or after.

I've never had an airline call me to ask me to change my flight like that, and when asked, she admitted to the flight being overbooked, but wouldn't tell me how much. I know they'll always overbook if they can, but is this common? Calling people a week and a half ahead of time to try and make space?

Also, since it's obviously overbooked, do you think I should get there even earlier for the flight? I had planned on 2 hours, but with the extra scrutiny at the security, and the possibility of being bumped with 2 kids, and a mother in law that hasn't flown in 30 years, I'm getting a little ansy.

Thanks, and sorry for the length.

My wife and I have had this happen to us on different occassions, where they overbooked our flight, both times it worked out better for us, my wife got to fly first class a few days later ( she wanted to extend her stay anyways ) and for me I was supposed to fly out of newark, which I was really not happy that my company had me flying in out of for business ( i usually fly out of laguardia ) but Delta called me like 3 hours before my flight and asked if I would fly out of laguardia a half hour earlier and offered me a $100 voucher (which I just used to buy tickets to Chicago for a wedding) so it was perfect for me.

They should offer you something, a first class upgrade or a voucher for each seat they are asking you to change, dont be afraid to ask, I have found Delta's customer service to be top notch and thats why I still fly with them today, even though I can get cheaper airfare elsewhere.