Flight Changes

[divabydisney]

GRRRRR.. Tell me if there is anything I can do to fix this. I bought our plane tickets back in March, and we are flying continental. Over the past few months I would get schedule changes but they would be like 1-5 min difference in leaving times, flight #s, etc. Today I get a new email with our most recent changes. We now have a 5.5 hour layover and puts us in Orlando at 11:35 at night. We were arriving at 9:45. And on the way back our layover was shortened to less than 40 min. We are laying over in Chicago... I don't think there is anyway we could get to the next gate in 40 min even if we do arrive on time. Short of cancelling the tickets, I got a great rate, is there anything I can do? Maybe wait to see if they keep changing? Tickets are obviously a lot more as I got them before gas went up. What am I going to do for almost 5 hours on a layover,especially on the way there when everyone is so excited they can't stand it???

 

[dzorn]

GRRRRR.. Tell me if there is anything I can do to fix this. I bought our plane tickets back in March, and we are flying continental. Over the past few months I would get schedule changes but they would be like 1-5 min difference in leaving times, flight #s, etc. Today I get a new email with our most recent changes. We now have a 5.5 hour layover and puts us in Orlando at 11:35 at night. We were arriving at 9:45. And on the way back our layover was shortened to less than 40 min. We are laying over in Chicago... I don't think there is anyway we could get to the next gate in 40 min even if we do arrive on time. Short of cancelling the tickets, I got a great rate, is there anything I can do? Maybe wait to see if they keep changing? Tickets are obviously a lot more as I got them before gas went up. What am I going to do for almost 5 hours on a layover,especially on the way there when everyone is so excited they can't stand it???

Check and see if there is another flight that works for you and call and ask to be changed to that flight.

Denise in MI

 

[Brownsfan317]

I had this problem with Continental. They changed my flight time 3 different times (bought the tickets in March). In addition, with each flight change they move our seats and sat my DS by himself 20 rows away from me. With the last flight time change, I could not move our seats back because the flight was booked.

I finally called them and asked for a refund (they were not offering any more flights any earlier in the day). I told them that I specifically booked a 7:30 flight and had to be in Orlando by a specific time. The CS rep at Continental informed me that typically they do not refund unless the flight time changed by more than 4 hours. However, she refunded me anyways. I have the option of flying out of a different airport so it all worked out for me.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Unfortunately those are one of the risks when you book your flight so early. I would double check their flight schedule and see if there are any alternate flights that would suit your family better then call and see if they can get on on that flight. At least they emailed to let you know, some airlines don't even do that.

 

[divabydisney]

Well I called, apparently they can't have layovers less than 50 min. Since mine is under that they have to change the flight to accommodate me if I choose at their expense. We checked for diff flights but only found one and it put me at home around midnight. I am going to take my chances. I asked him if they would be changing the times anymore and he said he wasn't sure. He did call the airline to at least make sure I'm arriving/departing in the same terminal and I am so that helps a little. Keeping fingers crossed. Thanks for the reply. To cancel or change the flight it would be $200/ticket. Considering I only paid $197 for the tickets initially that would be terrible.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Well I called, apparently they can't have layovers less than 50 min. Since mine is under that they have to change the flight to accommodate me if I choose at their expense. We checked for diff flights but only found one and it put me at home around midnight. I am going to take my chances. I asked him if they would be changing the times anymore and he said he wasn't sure. He did call the airline to at least make sure I'm arriving/departing in the same terminal and I am so that helps a little.

When you said your layover is in Chicago, I'm assuming O'Hare. Since it's in the same terminal, you'll probably be OK. I once had an hour layover in Chicago evaporate, because my plane taking off from Milwaukee was an hour late (weather). Fortunately, my gate was only a few gates away, and I made it as the plane was loading.

5 1/2 hours layover going...that's a little rough. I don't think it's enough time for you to leave the airport and take a quick tour of Chicago. It's about an hour to Chicago on the train, an hour back, and I'd allow an hour at least to get through security. Now, it's enough time to leave the airport and explore the suburbs. But suburban Chicago is just like any other suburbia.

You didn't mention if you had kids with you. If you're within terminal 2, there is an awesome playland for them. That should take care of a couple of hours.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

With Continental and United merging, there are going to be more flight changes than usual in the next few months on these two airlines.

 

[divabydisney]

Yep, out of O'hare. After reading some other sites, apparently I shouldn't leave the airport on the long layover, like you mentioned, not really enough time to do stuff plus getting back into the airport can take awhile. We plan to kill time in the childrens museum? Also I'm traveling by myself with 2 DS 12 & 6. We've been to O'hare before so hoping we can eat, relax, bring some coloring books/games etc. I'm honestly hoping my times change again, in my favor of course.