Delta changing flight times

[AKL LOVER]

Delta has changed my flight times for May 2 times now. Departure flight has moved up by 2 hours (not that I'm complaining!) and return flight has been moved up by 3 hours (now I am complaining!! ) And now it's some sub company operating for Delta on the return flight.

Anyone have experience with this? Do they do this often? We usually fly with Airtran and have never had this happen before (with the exception of small flight changes--no more than an hour).

I called them and they offered to change me to another flight, but the times are not good. The whole reason I booked with Delta was because of the great time of the return flight....I'm wondering if they would consider giving me a refund...

 

[toocherie]

I think the policy is that if it's an hour or so more change, they will refund. It is worth asking.

 

[sam_gordon]

STOP. Go to Delta's website. Do a search for your date based on schedule (not price). Find a flight that works for you. NOW call Delta and say "Here's the flight I want".

 

[DebbieB]

Delta has changed my flight times for May 2 times now. Departure flight has moved up by 2 hours (not that I'm complaining!) and return flight has been moved up by 3 hours (now I am complaining!! ) And now it's some sub company operating for Delta on the return flight.

Anyone have experience with this? Do they do this often? We usually fly with Airtran and have never had this happen before (with the exception of small flight changes--no more than an hour).

I called them and they offered to change me to another flight, but the times are not good. The whole reason I booked with Delta was because of the great time of the return flight....I'm wondering if they would consider giving me a refund...

I've used Delta on my last 2 Disney trips and was able to change flights to better times than I had originally with no fee because of time changes. A 2 or 3 hour change is eligible for either a refund or a switch to another flight at no charge.

 

[Jestocost]

I think the policy is that if it's an hour or so more change, they will refund. It is worth asking.

They may, but you'd better be sure that there's something better available at a price you are willing to pay before you take this step. It would be a mistake to cancel and then try to figure out what to rebook.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I've used Delta on my last 2 Disney trips and was able to change flights to better times than I had originally with no fee because of time changes. A 2 or 3 hour change is eligible for either a refund or a switch to another flight at no charge.

There internal policy supports this, however, I think for any casual reader it's important to note, there is ZERO requirement for them to offer a change or a refund. Remember, airlines contract of carriage only requires them to transport you from Point A to Point B on a given day outside of issues outside the airlines control (ie. weather). Aircraft type, seating, times, connections, etc are all at the discretion of the airline.

Now most airlines, as you've pointed out, have a more generous policy then what they are required to do, but if you start demanding things, you may get less then what you want.

 

[seashoreCM]

I did not find anything about "same day" in Delta's contract of carriage. From what I read, the passenger is entitled to a refund if the flight he booked is cancelled.

I suppose that other airlines' rules are similar.

 

[AKL LOVER]

Thanks guys. I am getting ready to call Delta now. We'll see what happens!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I did not find anything about "same day" in Delta's contract of carriage. From what I read, the passenger is entitled to a refund if the flight he booked is cancelled.

I suppose that other airlines' rules are similar.

RULE 3: SCHEDULES AND OPERATIONS
Delta will use its best efforts to carry the passenger and baggage with reasonable dispatch. Times shown in timetables or elsewhere are not guaranteed and form no part of this contract. Delta may without notice substitute alternate carriers or aircraft, and may alter or omit stopping places shown on the ticket in case of necessity. Schedules are subject to change without notice. Delta is not responsible or liable for making connections, or for failing to operate any flight according to schedule, or for changing the schedule or any flight.

If Delta fails to act in providing a flight from Point A to Point B, they failed to provide a service, and you are entitled to a refund.

 

[DISdreamin']

As much as I hate the time changes, it has ALWAYS worked out in our favor. When our outbound flight was moved up for our first Disney trip, I was even able to change our return flight to better times! No cost at all...just a "well, if we won't get in as early on the first day, could you at least move the outbound to later in the day?" We got an extra day in the parks with a 3:30pm DME bus versus being on the DME bus at around 7am.

I have never had them refuse to change flights as long as I did it well in advance, and as long as they had made a change of at least one hour to our original plans. I've had them change things, also, because they made our connection(s) too tight - thanks, Delta, but I've been to CVG before and done the commuter to big jet dance, and I KNOW I can't do that connection in 28 minutes.

 

[goofy4tink]

And this is the main reason that I fly Delta only if I no other choice. I have always had them make at least 2 or 3 changes to each flight. Drives me nuts. Yes, I realize that they promise to get me from point A to point B on any given day..not neccesarily on the particular flight or in the particular seat I chose. BUT....it's still a huge pain in the patootie!! There are other options for me..so I choose them.

My worst experience with Delta was a few years ago. Thank heaven I was flying alone!! I wanted a flight that departed at 10am, but it was too expensive, so I chose one that left later in the day. Then, about a month before departure they changed the flight times on that flight to early afternoon. Okay, getting better. Then, about two weeks before the flight, they cancelled it completely. Now, that flight was 3/4 full....as was the flight they combined it with...one later in the day, again!! There was no way all those people were fitting on one plane. I called them and asked to have my flight changed to a different one. It would seem that this is exactly what they wanted to have happen. I ended up on the original 10am flight I wanted!! For about half the cost!!!
But that's the only time it has worked in my favor.

 

[sam_gordon]

My worst experience with Delta was a few years ago.
...
But that's the only time it has worked in my favor.

So if your WORST experience worked out in your favor...

 

[sam_gordon]

They may, but you'd better be sure that there's something better available at a price you are willing to pay before you take this step. It would be a mistake to cancel and then try to figure out what to rebook.

You never cancel first. You find a flight YOU want to change to (preferably on the same day), call the airline and say THEIR new times don't work, but flight xxx will. Let them make the change.

 

[goofy4tink]

So if your WORST experience worked out in your favor...

Yep, but I worked for that one!!! I spent hours online, checking on my ever changing flights. And the big issue here??? Once this happens, you find a ton of people who 'assume' that if they book one flight, that they aren't crazy about, they hope that they will be able to change it to one they do like, for no addtl fees. Yeah, I lucked out. But it was nasty getting there. Delta just continually changed flights, canceled them, whatever they wanted to do. And then, when I called them that final time??? They acted like they were doing me some big favor by putting me on that 10am flight. Ah, no...don't think so. You guys were the ones to put waaaaay too many passengers on one flight. I can only imagine the chaos when people arrived at the airport for that flight. Sure, Delta sometimes makes calls the night before, looking for passengers to book a different flight. But in all reality, not all that many people are going to change their flight at that time. So, they are going to get to the airport and find that Delta has way oversold their flight. Not a good thing.
So, while it worked out for me in the end, it was still my worst experience. It made it very hard to make plans for later in that day....with Delta continually making changes to my arrival times.

 

[seashoreCM]

If Delta fails to act in providing a flight from Point A to Point B, they failed to provide a service, and you are entitled to a refund.

Psst! Don't actually recite that sentence to a ticket agent or phone agent, etc.

Also don't recite the actual operative clause: "... will use its best efforts to transport ..." taken from a typical contract of carriage.

Reasonable efforts include immediate rebooking from a cancelled flight to the passenger's liking even if the number of lower fare passengers on a given plane exceeds the airline's desired limits.

Sometimes a vacation is FUBAR (spoiled up beyond all recognition) because no close by replacement flights are available. A refund is appropriate although the airline and passenger can still agree upon new outgoing and return flights both on different days.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Psst! Don't actually recite that sentence to a ticket agent or phone agent, etc.

Also don't recite the actual operative clause: "... will use its best efforts to transport ..." taken from a typical contract of carriage.

Reasonable efforts include immediate rebooking from a cancelled flight to the passenger's liking even if the number of lower fare passengers on a given plane exceeds the airline's desired limits.

Sometimes a vacation is FUBAR (spoiled up beyond all recognition) because no close by replacement flights are available. A refund is appropriate although the airline and passenger can still agree upon new outgoing and return flights both on different days.

To clarify my post, if the airline cancels your flight and is unable to rebook you either on their own aircraft or one of their partners, you are able to secure a refund. There are some exceptions to this, including when the problem is outside the airlines control (however, most airlines, when even outside their control have policies to refund money).

I think it's important to note, there is NOTHING requiring them to rebook a passenger on a flight of their choice. They can enforce the ticketed class availability for certain flights that are close to being sold out. Again, this is a rarity, but the ball is in the airlines court to make the decision on how to best handle the situation. Most are willing to make the passenger happy, but they are not obligated beyond doing the absolute minimum.