delta flight in april, 2011 now a misconnection.....now what?

[cathicool]

I booked out family of 7 (2 seniors, 2 adults and 3 kids) on a flight after our disney cruise:

MLB (Melbourne)-ATL-LGA DL#2213 2:59pm-4:40pm (1hour layover)
connecting with DL#2586 5:40pm-8:10pm

I just checked deltas website and was surprised to find that this flight combo no longer exists!

It is now:
MLB-ATL, DL#2213, but departs at 3:40pm, landing in ATL at 5:21pm. It does not connect with DL#2586 (because of the now 19 minute layover). It now connects with DL#2786 leaving ATL at 7:40pm, landing in LGA at 10:07pm!

We do not want to land at 10pm. It was "pushing it" when we were landing at 8pm. I have looked thru Delta's schedule and have found some alternatives.....none of which are in the same fare class as our flight nor nearly the same price either. We would like a non-stop out of MCO....


So what is Delta's policy with this? This also happens to be the Sat before Easter 4/23, so crazytime at the airport and crazy high fares now.

TIA.........

 

[NancyIL]

Call Delta and ask them for the flight(s) you prefer. Since they changed the schedule significantly, they will make the change with no fee.

 

[DebbieB]

What time does the boat come in? There's a flight at 12:05 that connects in Atlanta and gets into LGA at 5:06. It doesn't matter if those flights are not the same fare class, they will move you. They might be willing to switch you to Orlando but it looks like those flights are really expensive - $511.70 one way, they may not go for that.

 

[francie57]

As a pp said, call Delta and calmly explain that they changed your flights and that they don't work for you. Do your research and have the flights you want picked out and they should put you on those flights without any trouble. We had this happen when Delta merged with Northwest. They changed our non-stop return flight to a stop over in Detroit (since we live in CT, going through Detroit made no sense.). I found the non-stop I wanted and called and they changed us without any trouble.

 

[cathicool]

We can make a 12 noon flight at MCO, so I'm sure we can make it at MLB.

I'd much rather a non-stop, so I'm going to go for the 12:15 nonstop from MCO first, then the 2:20 nonstop from MCO second. If they are unwilling to change the airport, then I will agree to the 12:05 from MLB with the connection in ATL, landing in NY at 5:06.

I find it odd that I wasn't notified..no call, no email...nothing. Maybe it's because the flight isn't for another 6 months?

 

[DebbieB]

We can make a 12 noon flight at MCO, so I'm sure we can make it at MLB.

I'd much rather a non-stop, so I'm going to go for the 12:15 nonstop from MCO first, then the 2:20 nonstop from MCO second. If they are unwilling to change the airport, then I will agree to the 12:05 from MLB with the connection in ATL, landing in NY at 5:06.

I find it odd that I wasn't notified..no call, no email...nothing. Maybe it's because the flight isn't for another 6 months?

My experience with Delta is they don't notify you right away. I make a habit of checking my reservation at least weekly. They typically make changes on Saturday. Make sure your contact information is on their webpage. It's on the top of the itinerary screen.

Will you have extra transportation costs to MCO?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I find it odd that I wasn't notified..no call, no email...nothing. Maybe it's because the flight isn't for another 6 months?

VERY likely. There may be additional changes between now and then. First they're going to notify the passengers affected first, e.g. if the change goes into effect November 1, they're going to contact November 2010 passengers long before they contact 2011 passengers, and January 2011 passengers before February 2011 passengers, etc.

 

[cathicool]

OK......Just got off the phone with Delta. Had an awesome agent on the phone! He allowed me to change the MLB-ATL-LGA that I "had" to a nonstop out of MCO. So now we will be arriving home approx. 5 hours earlier and that is really great! But the best of all...............all 7 of us got first class seats!!!!!!!

That's not common right--even because of this circumstance, right?

Seriously....I think I should go and play the lottery tonight! I'm so psyched! The plane is completely empty- I have no idea why we got the upgrade, but I'll take it! My dad is 80....I'm sure he has never flown first class before (neither has my mom or my 3 kids...hubby and I got lucky once- also on Delta come to think of it). Anyway, I'm sure my family is really going to be shocked. It's going to be hard keeping it a secret for 6 months!

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

 

[NancyIL]

OK......Just got off the phone with Delta. Had an awesome agent on the phone! He allowed me to change the MLB-ATL-LGA that I "had" to a nonstop out of MCO. So now we will be arriving home approx. 5 hours earlier and that is really great! But the best of all...............all 7 of us got first class seats!!!!!!!

That's not common right--even because of this circumstance, right?

Wow - that's great! No - an upgrade to first class is not common...at least not in MY experience!

 

[DebbieB]

I think I know how that happened. When I looked at the schedules earlier, all they had was fare class B. Not sure why since it is practically empty. Those were $511 one way. If you buy a class B, it automatically upgrades to first class if there are seats available. So when he moved you to that flight, it booked class B and upgraded you! Wow! Congratulations!

 

[cathicool]

Thanks DebbieB! I'm glad you were able to figure it out. The plane is really empty! So I was really confused when he mentioned first, but I wasn't going to argue. That's good to know for future reference that B is an upgrade to first. Our tickets say A class on them.

So are we "really" first class? We get to check up to 3 bags/ 70 lbs each (as per Delta's website) just like all the "regular" fist class people?

I have to admit...I think Delta is becoming my new favorite airline! We still love Southwest, but their prices are getting a bit hefty and their flight times aren't the greatest. We do love flying out of Islip rather than JFK or LGA....but an upgrade to first class is some serious competition for my affection!

 

[DebbieB]

A class A is first class. You'll also get a mileage bonus.

http://www.delta.com/skymiles/ways_to_get_miles/earning_miles_delta/index.jsp

 

[cathicool]

and we'll get lunch too!

Thanks again DebbieB.......

 

[DebbieB]

I've flown in Delta's first class on upgrades and it's nice. For that length of flight, lunch will probably be a choice of a sandwich or salad.

 

[mickeyluv]

I think that is awesome and definite pixie dust thrown your way ! If you don't mind me asking, what are your dates? We're looking to fly down in April 2011 4/9 and 4/17 . TIA

 

[cathicool]

our dates are 4/15 and 4/23- this is the week before easter. this will be a nice surprise for when we fly home!

 

[mickeyluv]

our dates are 4/15 and 4/23- this is the week before easter. this will be a nice surprise for when we fly home!

oh ok thanks! We're looking at flying 4/8 or 4/9 and 4/17/11! Hope i get as lucky!

 

[cathicool]

good luck.....sending pixie dust your way!

Is that when you are doing your B2B on the Dream? We have a B2B reserved on the Dream at the end of May....