Do you have any say-so when the airline changes your itinerary?

[curiouser]

We have our return flight booked on Delta. Originally our return flight was MCO->GSP->CVG->CLE. Not idea, but for the price, we took it. I heard about the fact that Delta was changing/cancelling flights, so I went online and checked our itinerary. Now they have us scheduled for MCO->ALT->GSP->CVG->CLE. This is getting a bit rediculous for what normally is a direct flight.

Can I call the airline and complain about this extra leg that was added on and see if they can accomodate us with another option? That's an awful lot of stops and I have a strong feeling that, with that many layovers, luggage will be lost.

Thoughts? Suggestions? TIA!!

 

[Brian Noble]

If either your departure or arrival time changes by "enough", most airlines will be happy to rebook you to another open flight without fee. I think "enough" is generally 90 minutes, but wouldn't swear to it.

With an extra stop, it's almost certain that you fit in this category.

 

[vacanut]

Thats an awful lot of stops. Not to mention delays, which could make you miss a connection. I'd call them to see what they have to offer.

 

[dizneefreak29]

In August Airtran changed my flight home and it was coming in three hours earlier than originally scheduled. I called them and they moved us to a different flight without charging a fee. You shouldn't have a problem making whatever changes you need to.

 

[seashoreCM]

Go on the airline's web site and pick out alternate flights you would like and that are not sold out.

Ask quietly and the airline should make the change for you at no charge. Be sure to explain that the airline made a schedule change.

(If you don[t succeed try again the next day and this time ask quietly for a supervisor)

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

 

[brentalex]

Song changed our flights and dropped our seat assignments. When I contacted them they changed our flights to better suit my desires and got us back our seat assignments. They said that if we wanted to make changes later that we would be charged to do it, but that this first change was free. I would imagine that Delta itself has the same sort of rules.

 

[curiouser]

Follow up: We called Delta and explained our situation and how rediculous it was getting. They were nothing short of absolutely pleasant and apologetic about how crazy our flight schedule was and changed it for us with no hesistation. We ended up getting a better schedule than what we originally purchased: our flight is now two hours later (which means we can sleep in a bit longer) and only has one stop!

I feel SO MUCH more warm and fuzzy about flying Delta now!

 

[20yrs&counting]

Does anyone know if you can cancel a flight with no penalty? We booked Song to leave on a Friday at 6:45 pm and they have changed us three times so that we are now leaving at 2:45 pm. There are no other flights to change to. Jet Blue does have a better selection of flight times available and I'd like to rebook with them so that I can keep my commitment to work.

 

[seashoreCM]

If the airline changes the schedule non-trivially and has no other comparable flights, you can almost always get a full refund for the asking.

 

[20yrs&counting]

Thank you for the reply. I'm going to call.

 

[adrock1976]

Go on the airline's web site and pick out alternate flights you would like and that are not sold out.

Ask quietly and the airline should make the change for you at no charge. Be sure to explain that the airline made a schedule change.

(If you don[t succeed try again the next day and this time ask quietly for a supervisor)

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

The airline really has no obligation on how they change your routing...they are only really supposed to get you from your origin to your destination on the same day you have booked. However, like seashoreCM points out, most of the time a nice call to a reservation agent for a change that was out of your control, will result in your being reaccomodated.