do airlines really change your ressies?

[tonysgal34]

One person told me that although I got a great deal through Airtran for November that they could change the flight schedule? Is that true? I mean, we booked based on what time the flights were, as I'm sure everyone else does. Can an airline legally change your reservations and do they do this often?? I've never flown before.

 

[jel0511]

Yea, an airline can cancel your flight, change the flight time, even change your seat assignment all before the flight leaves. If your flight time is changed by more than 2 hours, you're entitled to a full refund, or seats on a flight you deem acceptable for no additional fee.

 

[crisi]

We flew out to San Francisco last Spring.

We'd originally planned to fly out at 8:00 in the morning, change planes in Salt Lake City and pick up my sister (who lives there) and fly on to SF arriving at like 1:00. Then we were going to leave Sunday at 6:00pm.

We ended up flying out at 5:30 in the morning, changing planes in Cincinatti, and getting to SF at 3:00. My sister didn't get in until 6:00. The flights home were similarly screwed up.

Plan on giving up the entire day to travel. Even if the schedule stays the same, just because the airline says they will arrive at 11:00, you may still be sitting on the runway in your departing city waiting for them to change a lightbulb at that time. If its really important to be there (say this is a airflight to catch a cruise), arrive the day before. Our plans usually have us getting into Orlando at lunchtime, but spending the day enjoying the resort and hanging by the pool rather than trying to get to a great dinner reservation, catch a show, or see Spectromagic.

Do they do this often? They often move flights around by fifteen or twenty minutes - its less often that they move them by hours - but its become more common since the airlines have been in crisis mode. Make sure you stay on top of when your flight is - don't just show up at the airport and expect it to fly at the time you booked.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by tonysgal34
One person told me that although I got a great deal through Airtran for November that they could change the flight schedule? Is that true? I mean, we booked based on what time the flights were, as I'm sure everyone else does. Can an airline legally change your reservations and do they do this often?? I've never flown before.

Yes. We were booked on a 7:20am flight out of BOS to MCO for Aug 30th and when Delta Express switched to Song it did away with this flight and they rebooked us on what we now the first non-stop flight out of BOS which was 11:30am. Not good as we would waste a day. So I called and they booked us on the last flight out the night before so we are now flying out on Aug 29th at 7:15pm.

 

[buffett010]

We were going to Las Vegas last July out of Columbus on a 7am flight. About 2 in the morning, we got a call from the airline stating that our flight had been cancelled due to the fact that the crew for our flight was late getting in and they would not be able to get their required 8 hours of sleep/rest prior to our flight. They said they could put us on a 5 pm flight, but we were not happy with that. As we are equidistant from both Columbus and Detroit, we asked if there were any flights leaving in the morning from Detroit. The agent happily changed our flight out to the same time from Detroit, and then of course had to book us on a return flight to Detroit. She was glad that we understood and did not hassle her about this, even though we were awakened from a dead sleep, so she was more than glad to be accommodating. Ever since this time, though, I make sure the airline has the number of the hotel I'm staying at the night before (if we do this) and/or has my cell phone number so that we can be notified of any changes. Out of the many many times we've flown, this is the only time it's happened.

 

[nativetxn]

I have had Spirit change my departure time twice, so far. I hated losing 6 hours that I had counted on when planning but it wasn't a terrible inconvenience.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

They sure can! USAirways has changed our upcoming flight, let's see........at least four times since I booked it! We booked the 7am flight down and the 9:45pm flight home. The first change was, they did away with the 9:45pm flight and put us on the 6:30pm flight. I found out about it from their website...they didn't let me know! The next change was, the 7am flight was changed to 6:50am. Then they brought back an 8:30pm flight, which I called and was able to be put back on. About two weeks ago, the 6:50am flight got pushed up to 6:30am. I called and was asked to be put on the 8:10am flight, and had no problem. You really should check the airline's web site, because ALL of these changes, I was never told about! I found them on the web site.

 

[ceecee]

My sister booked 3 months in advance and was changed 3 times! Luckily we have not been changed before. Hoping that will stay true this year, well a later flight leaving would actually be more desirable.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Yes they can and do change flight schedules. I booked Air Tran in May for our October visit and got a great rate but the departure time was 4:50 pm arriving at MCO at 7:05 pm. It wasn't my favorite time (like losing a day in Florida) but for the price, I booked it. I checked the schedules on August 11th (and again today) and the departure time is now 10:35 am arriving at MCO at 12:50 pm. Much, much better BUT in the next two months it could easily change back to the 4:50 pm departure.

This has happened to us on other airlines so nothing is "chiseled in stone" until you actually take off. And sometimes, there's a delay there too.

Keeping my fingers crossed that they don't change it again but, if they do, well...I guess we'll still go

 

[off2disney]

Yes, they can change your flight! I was scheduled to depart at 7:59 am from NO and arrive at 1:45 pm in MCO, going through St. Louis. My daughter was arriving at 1:54 pm - AA cancelled the 7:58 flight and re-scheduled me departing at 11:30, arriving at 6:30 pm, 4-1/2 hours after my daughter. I called them and a very nice agent changed my flight to one going through Dallas - then I would be arriving 12 minutes after my DD.

Two days later, my DD was notified that her flight on Northwest had been rescheduled. I don't even know when she's getting in, but I figure it will probably change again before we depart in December

 

[pamlet]

As a travel agent - and having also worked in reservations for an airline here are a few tips...

The further out you book - the more likely your reservations will change.. sometimes only by a few minutes - but also by HOURS.. especially if you are on an airline that only has a couple flights a day that can get you into a given city. Always stay aware of the times of the flights that can get you there.

Always make sure the AIRLINE has any phone contacts for you.. home/work/cell - also phone numbers at your destination. If you are using a travel agent, make sure they put these numbers in your record. The airline may or may not be able to see the numbers the agency puts in - but often they will call the agency if there is a last minute cancellation. I think it is better even if you have a reservation with a travel agency to call the airline and give them the numbers. They don't always call - but you never know.

Remember that the really "cheap tickets" have massive restrictions - it will be quite costly to make any changes once you've purchased your tickets.

Pre reserved seat assignments are ALWAYS subject to change - this is probably the most misunderstood aspect of flying. I know that the most angry folks I've had to deal with are over those stinking seat assignments (made me wish I worked for SouthWest - they don't even offer seat assignments!!). See what they can do, but don't get thrown for a loop if you don't get the seat you thought. If the schedule changes - ask at that time for new seat assignments... not all reservation agents are as thoughtful as others - and may not offer to get them for you.

Plan ahead - make sure you take snacks (pretzels, cookies, apples, etc) and water/juice. If you get delayed, or missconnect on the way it comes in handy. Also - take toothbrush - ALL prescriptions, pj's, and a change of clothes (at least underwear) in a carry on - you never know when weather may delay you over night.

Always make sure you get to the airport 1 1/2 - 2 hours ahead of time for security check in. I just make sure I take a book, my son has his gameboy.. something to do. Get yourself through security, go to the gate and relax. It seems like a chunk out of your day - but it truly makes life MUCH easier.

Thousands of folks fly every day with OUT any problems at all - but it's always to your advantage to be prepared! Re reading this it looks scary - but it's really pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Just leave yourself plenty of time - and stay on top of your reservations so you know what to expect.

 

[sters]

Thanks for the tip about calling for the seat assignments when the flight times change. Today, I was notified via email that my US AIr flight changed... 15 minutes earlier on my departure from home and five minutes later on my departure from MCO. Hey, that's 20 more minutes in Disney! Hope they don't turn around and take it back next month.

 

[tonysgal34]

When all of you talk of this, it seems to be perfectly normal! I cannot see the point of making reservations based on times and then have them changed! If they change our flights, well then I guess flying isn't what it's cracked up to be! People have said that we just have to fly that there's no other way to do it and we are looking forward to it, but if we have to stay overnight or are delayed by any length of time, it will completely screw up our vacation and as I said before, we can only afford to do this once(we've been saving for years). Thank you for all the info, but now I'm really really worried! On what part of Airtran's website can I find this info(my flight schedule)?? I couldn't figure out where it might be within the website. Thanks

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Last Nov, we were booked for a very early departure and late return. They ended up changing our flights and basically reversed everything....late departure, early return. We ended up losing 2 park days. We were not very happy. They offered to refund our $, but we wanted to go to WDW! We eventually extended our trip by a bit. The change messed up our car reservations, and we ended up paying more, since the code we booked at was no longer available. Luckily, all worked out with our resort.

 

[tonysgal34]

That's exactly what I'm talking about!! We can't, just can't change our plans. It's not like my husband can call work and tell them he won't be back from vacation at the scheduled time or myself telling my clients that I won't be back to provide daycare for their children. I guess I need to cross my fingers and hope for the best. If airlines do this, then why do people think flying is so great? If I had known that these things could happen, I would've just driven and not bothered looking for a good rate on a flight. I truly hope that I don't regret it. We don't have $470 just ot throw away.

 

[NotUrsula]

Believe me, no one here thinks flying is a fun way to spend any time. However, since the US doesn't have decent passenger train service, the airlines have us over a barrel and they know it.

Most of us prefer flying because, even with delays, it is MUCH faster for us than driving. From Missouri, driving would take us approx. 18 hrs each way. That adds 2 days to the vacation, 2 days spent boxed inside a car, not relaxing at the parks or at the pool. In addition, it also puts close to 2K on our car's odometer. I'd rather spend 2 more days having fun. Lengthening the trip by 2 days would cost us quite a lot in lost pay. Also, if we drove, we would both start and end the trip in a state of utter exhaustion, which kind of defeats the point of going on vacation.

Barring huge disasters like 9/11 or the Blackout, an airline's flight schedule changes would normally not force you to change your plans by more than about 12 hours. If you travel in winter, really bad snowstorms can sometimes close airports, as can direct-hit hurricanes at this time of year; weather delays are beyond the airline's control.

Just FYI, since it sounds as if you don't travel very often: It is *never* a good idea to schedule a major "I-am-the-only-human-being-on-the-planet-who-can-handle-this" work event the day before you leave for a vacation or the day after you come home, because even with driving, there is always the possibility that you could be delayed (wrecks, weather, etc.) What would your clients do if you got in a wreck on your way home? The same thing they will do if your plane gets grounded by a hurricane; they will deal with it. Yes, they will probably be angry about it, but life will go on. You take all the important phone numbers with you, and if you get severely delayed, you call and let people know as soon as you can. The drill is the same for all travelers.

Flight times can change, and rules about luggage and check-in deadlines can change, too. Be sure to keep on top of all of it, and check with the airline no more than 24 hrs. in advance, to make sure that there were no last-minute rule changes that could cause boarding problems for you.

 

[Dopey & Grumpy]

Originally posted by tonysgal34
On what part of Airtran's website can I find this info(my flight schedule)?? I couldn't figure out where it might be within the website. Thanks

First you have to join A-Plus Rewards. Go the their home page here and click on Join A-Plus Rewards on the right hand side. There's nothing to fill out on the form except your e-mail address and a password. Once that's established, you can click on Member anytime and it brings you to the log on screen. Log in with the e-mail address and password you've established and you'll go the the screen that has your name and current bookings on the right hand side. Click on view under current bookings and it'll bring you to the screen that gives you all your flight information.

Hope this helps.

 

[cdrn1]

A few trips back we booked a SWA flight because it had great timing and was a nonstop. They changed our return flight and instead of leaving at 5p and being in Indy by 7p we had to leave at 11a, fly to Baltimore, for cryin out loud, wait 3 hours in the airport and THEN fly home to Indy. We spent the whole last day in airplanes/airports instead of Typhoon Lagoon. Sheesh. My last experience with SWA.

 

[Goof]

As with others in this thread, our flight times were changed on our last trip but it turned out to our advantage.

It is true that the further out you make your reservation the more the chances are that your flight could possibly change. We have flown a number of times and have had changes made only once (knock on wood) but our reservations were always made far enough in advance to give us ample time to make adjustments as needed. Flying is still the best way to go!

 

[Cameo]

We had the same experience as buffett010. The airline called us at home at about 1:00 in the morning. Our flight was supposed to leave at 5:45 am. They gave us the same story - the flight crew didn't get in until later than expected and they had to have time off for rest. We didn't leave until after 1:00 pm the next day and basically lost out on a whole day at WDW. From then on, I don't have any expectations that things will go as "planned." We also gotten left in Orlando for an extra day (plane was broken) and so far on this trip, our flight out was cancelled and then reinstated and our flight home was pushed back by 3 hours! We leave in 5 weeks. I wonder what else will happen!