HELP! I might have to cancel flight reservations :(

[Lil ole moi]

My DBF's car died with no chance of revival! Which means we may have to cancel our trip for this November. We just can't afford a car and a trip. What happens with my flights that I have booked through Delta? I purchased them June 22...do I have one year from that date to have my tickets reissued? Does that mean I have to fly within that 1 year time, or do I just have to have the tickets reissued within that time frame? Ideally, if we can't make it is November, we could try for the same time next November. Is this something that I can do?

I've been crying all weekend knowing that our trip for this November is probably off.

Can someone talk me through my options with Delta? Thanks you guys

 

[plutolovr]

Honestly, the best and most accurate information you will get will be from Delta themselves. Call their 800 number and ask about your options.

 

[Lil ole moi]

I will. But for now I was hoping one of my DIS friends could supply some information for now until I have to suck it up and make that call.

To tell you the truth, every time I think about it, I start to cry and that's something I don't want to do while talking to a Delta agent. I can cry all I want while I'm typing and no body knows...well I guess you do now.

A lot has happened to me over the last several years and I NEEDED this trip so badly. The planning has given me an escape and it saddens me so much to think that it may never happen now.

Anyone?

 

[CarolA]

You aren't going to like this....

I am pretty sure you have one year from the original date of issue. So if you bought the tickets on June 22, then it's one year from your purchase date.

You will also be charged $50 for each change.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

You aren't going to like this....

I am pretty sure you have one year from the original date of issue. So if you bought the tickets on June 22, then it's one year from your purchase date.

You will also be charged $50 for each change.

Lil ole moi,

I wish I could give you better news than what CarolA wrote, but CarolA is right. And to add to what CarolA wrote, please be aware that the penalty fee per ticket be either $50 or $100, depending on the fare rules of your original tickets. Also, when you rebook, you'll need to pay the new price.

In other words:

• If your tickets were originally $150 RT each
• And if the penalty is $100 each
• And if the new tickets are $250 RT each

Then...

• Your old tickets will retain a credit value of $150 - $100 = $50 each
• Your new tickets will $250 - $50 = $200 each

 

[petrymom]

I have no advice for you, but i wanted to wish you well. Hopefully things work themselves out for you.

 

[mjhd]

After all of the cancellation fees, are you sure you can't swing it? Maybe cut back for the next few months or maybe buy a cheap car for the time being? I know how important our trip is to us - I could not bear for something to derail it. I really hope you can come up with a solution to proceed with your trip!

 

[HayGan]

Sorry Lil ole moi that your trip looks like it is off.

Your best bet is to call Delta and talk to them about the penalties and fees for re-booking. I do believe that the others are correct about Delta's policy so I think that you might be out quite a bit of money for a change.

Since your transportation is already booked, is there any way that you can reduce the cost of your trip so that you can still go? Possibly downgrading accomodations or stay off-site (cheap lodging thru skyauction or priceline?) You could also limit the number of days in the parks or take extras off of your tickets to reduce costs. Packing food and eating lighter (counter) service meals.

Also, is there anyway you can generate a little extra income between now and then (ebay, garage/yard sale, extra side work) that might help to defray your costs?

I'm not saying to neglect more important things to still keep your trip on but sometimes getting the things that we really want takes a little bit of creativity and work.

I hope everything works out for you

 

[Lil ole moi]

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for your support and advice. I sucked it up last night and made that call to Delta Airline. Here's what I was told:

1. There is a $50 cancellation/reissue fee per ticket.
2. We purchased the tickets June 22, 2006, so we have one year (June 22, 2007) to rebook our flights.
3. If we want to fly in November 2007 (which we do), they will be taking November 2007 bookings towards the latter part of December 2006.
4. Of course, if the cost of the tickets go up, we will be responsible for the difference in ticket prices (but I'm hoping we'll find prices the same or near the same of what we paid).

So all in all, we will be out $100 total for the reissuance of the 2 tickets. Not so bad considering I thought that I might lose every cent of our tickets (over $700). I will start looking at prices again this December up until June 22, 2007 for the best price we can find again (hopefully, it will be around the same price we paid this time).

So all in all, it could have been a whole lot worse. I'm an optimist, so I won't let it get me down (for too long). The initial thought of not being able to take our very first trip together really got me down, but knowing that we'll be there next year makes me happy...think of all the extra planning time!!!

Again, thank you for all your positive words and caring thoughts.