Flight Changes

[cindyland]

This is where I go to talk to people who will understand my disappointment.

We are traveling to DW in March for that "once in a lifetime" (or once every 20 years anyway) trip. Our flight home was originally planned for 3:30 on a Saturday afternoon. We are staying in a timeshare so this gave us plenty of time to pack up, do the cleaning required, and maybe sneak over to Downtown Disney for lunch and some shopping before returning the rental car and flying home.

But no, today I get the email from Travelocity saying our flight had a problem. Yeah, it doesn't exist anymore! And now we get to take a flight at 8 AM!! NOOO! No afternoon flights available. Seriously? They're screwing up my vacation!

My husband points out we can just come back early from the parks and clean and pack. Are you out of your mind ? I said we could do some of this on an afternoon break, but I don't plan on being in a condo my last night in DW, I plan on being in Epcot!

So what are my chances that an afternoon flight will show up? I know I have eight other days to enjoy my trip, but it's screwing up my plan!

 

[safetymom]

I would take a look at the airline you are flying on. See what the available flights are, then call Travelocity with your choice. It doesn't hurt to try.

 

[sayhello]

This is where I go to talk to people who will understand my disappointment.

We are traveling to DW in March for that "once in a lifetime" (or once every 20 years anyway) trip. Our flight home was originally planned for 3:30 on a Saturday afternoon. We are staying in a timeshare so this gave us plenty of time to pack up, do the cleaning required, and maybe sneak over to Downtown Disney for lunch and some shopping before returning the rental car and flying home.

But no, today I get the email from Travelocity saying our flight had a problem. Yeah, it doesn't exist anymore! And now we get to take a flight at 8 AM!! NOOO! No afternoon flights available. Seriously? They're screwing up my vacation!

My husband points out we can just come back early from the parks and clean and pack. Are you out of your mind ? I said we could do some of this on an afternoon break, but I don't plan on being in a condo my last night in DW, I plan on being in Epcot!

So what are my chances that an afternoon flight will show up? I know I have eight other days to enjoy my trip, but it's screwing up my plan!

This is one reason I refuse to book through Travelocity. I'll do research on their site, but no booking. They usually will say "tough luck".

I'm going to suggest you *try* calling the airline directly. Be nice, explain the situation, and see if there is any way they could move you to a later flight. I've found that some airlines will help you. It never hurts to try. I'd also look at that airline's website first, and see if there's any flights that fit your schedule better. It's always better if you go at this with information at the ready.

I think it sucks that the airlines are one of the few businesses that can sell you one thing, and deliver something totally different, and that's "acceptable" and "fine" and just to be expected in dealing with them.

Sayhello

 

[Phoenixblue]

I have to agree - do your own research and try to contact the airline directly.

We did that before we called when something similar happened to us. We knew which flights we wanted and had a back-up for each.
Though I have to say it was the airlines themselves that hosed us on our trip in Oct. Nearly the same thing ... we were flying a 'partner' airline out of Orlando so we could get a good flight time out on the way back home - 1 p.m. instead of 8 a.m. enough time to enjoy a nice breakfast and not have to worry on the packing. However, both airlines moved their flights so we would miss all connections. So we ended up going on only the one airline and had to take the 8 a.m. flight, which meant we had to be up at 4 a.m.! and pack up everything the night before. We had also been charged a 'partner fee' of $100 total that our airline kept as it was 'non-refundable' even if they caused the issue. Sorry to tell you we had no choice but the 8 a.m. flight. They didn't have a single flight we could take that would get us home without an overnight layover if we missed that one. Though we were going all the way to Fairbanks, Alaska. Which made it a bit more difficult.

 

[missminniemouse]

I've dealt with similar issues in the past, however I always book online with the airline, never with Travelocity. One time the airline "re-scheduled" us to fly from Milwaukee to New York, leave New York before we arrived there, and then to Orlando. Definately not what we booked. I checked on other options with other airlines and we were able to get tickets from Green Bay (closer to home) for about the same amount of money we paid for the original tickets. Plus, the schedule was just as good, even better than the original schedule. After dealing with the people in India that answer the phones for airlines these days and getting nowhere with them, they couldn't understand the problem.......you can't leave before you arrive.......not tough to understand, I told them that I paid for something other than what they were delivering and demanded a refund of the tickets. Amazingly, they actually agreed. I turned around and booked on the other airline.

Every airline I have used in the past 5 or more years has presented some problem or other. I tend to book my flights very early, 11 months in advance, as soon as my DVC reservations are confirmed. They have my money for 11 months and almost always screw up the schedule.

I really don't know how airlines can get away with what they do. If you book a certain time frame with them, that should be a "contract" to maintain a reasonable time frame, not one that is hours different. Flying isn't fun anymore.

 

[FireDancer]

That sucks. I'd just keep with the original plan and when you get back on the last day stay up late and pack. You can make up the lost sleep on the plane. That way you don't miss any time in the parks because you have to pack and you aren't stressed about finding another flight.

It isn't just Travelocity though. I booked directly with the airline (Continental) when I went to DL in 2006 and when I showed up at the airport for my 9:00pm flight I was told it was moved to 5:00am the following day. They could have gotten me on another flight that made a stop but by the time the connection was all done I would have arrived home less than 2 hours earlier so I just sucked it up. I got to sleep in the airport. It is what it is.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A 7½ hour schedule change is unreasonable. I would go to the airline's web site and see what is available that day. Once you see that, contact Travelocity and tell them you do not accept their involuntary change and that you would accept {name the flight(s)} on the same airline.

 

[MM32830]

Every airline I have used in the past 5 or more years has presented some problem or other.

I fly often, usually twice a month. I've experienced similar issues when flying Delta, American, Continental (the traditional airlines). Ever since I've switch to Southwest (about 9 years now), I've never had them change my schedule. Not once. Ever.

I've heard the same about JetBlue and Airtran. This doesn't help you right now, but you might want to rethink the airline you choose next time.



_________________
Armand

 

[missminniemouse]

I fly often, usually twice a month. I've experienced similar issues when flying Delta, American, Continental (the traditional airlines). Ever since I've switch to Southwest (about 9 years now), I've never had them change my schedule. Not once. Ever.

I've heard the same about JetBlue and Airtran. This doesn't help you right now, but you might want to rethink the airline you choose next time.



_________________
Armand

The closest airport for us with Southwest service is Milwaukee. I usually have my tickets booked before their flights become available for purchase. I may have to re-think how far in advance I buy my tickets. I have flown Airtran and had the same problem with them as all the rest. I don't think JetBlue is in this area, at least not with any major presence.

If I want to fly out of Green Bay, our closest airport, I'm limited to United (really bad), American (never has a good schedule to begin with), Northwest (can be OK) and Frontier (only because they bought up Midwest airlines). We frequently drive 2 plus hours to Milwaukee airport because we've been able to get far better prices from there and can usually pick up a direct flight, which we can't get from Green Bay.

I've heard other people sing the praises of Southwest. I'll certainly look into them in the future.

 

[mauigal]

I've dealt with similar issues in the past, however I always book online with the airline, never with Travelocity. One time the airline "re-scheduled" us to fly from Milwaukee to New York, leave New York before we arrived there, and then to Orlando. Definately not what we booked. I checked on other options with other airlines and we were able to get tickets from Green Bay (closer to home) for about the same amount of money we paid for the original tickets. Plus, the schedule was just as good, even better than the original schedule. After dealing with the people in India that answer the phones for airlines these days and getting nowhere with them, they couldn't understand the problem.......you can't leave before you arrive.......not tough to understand, I told them that I paid for something other than what they were delivering and demanded a refund of the tickets. Amazingly, they actually agreed. I turned around and booked on the other airline.

Every airline I have used in the past 5 or more years has presented some problem or other. I tend to book my flights very early, 11 months in advance, as soon as my DVC reservations are confirmed. They have my money for 11 months and almost always screw up the schedule.

I really don't know how airlines can get away with what they do. If you book a certain time frame with them, that should be a "contract" to maintain a reasonable time frame, not one that is hours different. Flying isn't fun anymore.

Just an FYI....since you tend to book so early, like 11 mos out, this is why you always run into changes to your fights... Airlines always have schedule changes every 6 mos or so. That, inconvenient as it is, is just what happens when you book almost a year out!! Try booking a little closer and I bet you wouldn't run into that problem and then you wouldn't have to be frustrated!

 

[cindyland]

When we booked our flights Southwest didn't have thei schedule out yet, and the flights we were looking at were booking fast (spring break).

I did go online and checked flights from another airport and there are more options available (larger airport), so I'm going to try again today.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Are you able to get a refund from Travelocity? I don't know all your details, like what airport you are flying out of or anything, but I would check all your options and if you find something better, cancel the Travelocity reservation and book it yourself through the airline. Also, you are still pretty far out, you never know, your flight may change again or the airline may add another later flight. I wouldn't get too upset yet.

 

[arowanafor]

I have always used southwest and i have never been let down yet. Touch wood.

 

[DCTooTall]

Another option that Might work and expand the flight availability.....assuming you are renting a car.


Check return flights out of Tampa or Daytona. most Rental agencies in Florida don't charge much (if any) to pick up from 1 airport and return to another, And you may be able to find a later flight that even with the drive time would give you more time in the morning to get ready on your departure day.

 

[Castaway Kev]

If you booked on Travelocity with a Credit Card, and Travelocity isn't accomodating with meeting your needs, then let your credit card company know. You should have some sort of recourse with the Credit Card company.

 

[sayhello]

If you booked on Travelocity with a Credit Card, and Travelocity isn't accomodating with meeting your needs, then let your credit card company know. You should have some sort of recourse with the Credit Card company.

I believe that's only within 6 months of purchasing the tickets. Since she bought tickets 11 months out for March, she's likely beyond that timeframe. But it couldn't hurt to check with her Credit Card company to make sure.

Sayhello

 

[MM32830]

I believe that's only within 6 months of purchasing the tickets. Since she bought tickets 11 months out for March, she's likely beyond that timeframe. But it couldn't hurt to check with her Credit Card company to make sure.

Sayhello

Normally, you can only contest a charge on your credit card up to 60 days after the date the charge occurred. However, rules are different for air fare charges.

Credit card companies have a holding account for airline charges where the funds are not released until after the flight has occurred. This was true a few years ago but things could have changed.

Easiest way to find out is to call your credit card company and inquire. However, I would exhaust all other avenues before going this route. Chargebacks are a hassle for all concerned.




_________________
Armand

 

[cindyland]

I didn't book 11 months out, I booked at the end of August for a March flight. I am going to try calling Travelocity tomorrow to see if we can switch airports and get the afternoon flight. Not sure it's worth the hassle of fighting with the credit card company, or losing all of my reservations.

Will update soon. Ugh.

 

[TrekBoy85]

I have some experience working for an airline.

Here's my advice.

1. Try Travelocity first and see what (if anything) they can do...probably not much.

2. Talk directly to the airline who your flights are booked on. Schedule changes are very common, but often not more than an hour or two. The majority of airlines have rules in place regarding them. Generally, the longer the change in flight time, the more options available to you. If nothing else, on most airlines, any schedule change at all (any change to time or even just a change to flight number), will entitle you to a refund if you request it (with no penalty). They may also be able to put you on a another airline that operates a flight at a similar time, but generally this option will not be offered, and you have to specifically request it. These are actually options that you can talk to Travelocity about, but they may have to contact the airline to get it taken care of.

While generally I wouldn't advise anyone to call either of these places and be mean, if they're not accommodating you, then you may definitely need to be a little stubborn about getting what you want.

 

[seashoreCM]

Travel agents like Travelocity do not like to give you your choice of replacement flight after an airline initiated change. This is because the travel agent has a sub-inventory of seats that it would like to assign first. When you hand pick a replacement flight, often the travel agent has to "go to the well" and pay single seat price for your choice as opposed to re-assign you to another of its bulk rate seats.