HELP! Letter from Disney Travel Co...

[tink2020]

We got a letter today stating that our airfare we booked on line apparantly is for a limited time frame only. The letter said "they have been informed by American Airlines" (?) that we need to pay the airfare portion of the package immediately or we'll have to rebook.

My dilemma is this -- if we pay, is it non-refundable? Should we just let them "cancel" and then rebook? We have a darn good deal now (avg ~ $185 per R/T adult ticket.... about $40/ticket less than even sites like hotwire!) .... but certainly there are occasions (especially during value season) when you can get dirt cheap airfare and I would hate to already have tickets in hand and incur some sort of penalty.

Anyone else have this happen? Any thoughts?

 

[cindermomma]

Hi there. I posted here last week about this. I was told by a CM that we need to pay our airfare portion by July 22 with American Airlines. They said we would be getting a letter in the mail. No other CM told us this until I called just to be sure everything was good and the CM said this was a new policy and she wasn't surprised nobody told us. I haven't gotten my letter yet. I am also worried that it will be non-refundable. I bought the trip insurance, but we are still waiting to hear if DH can take off work. I don't know what we are going to do. We are leaving from Nebraska, and Disney actually is cheaper for us than anywhere else! Please write in here if you here if it's refundable and I'll so the same. Good Luck.

 

[tink2020]

Thanks! I will definitely let you know if I hear anything... I am only slightly worried since we definitely know we are going. I hope, for your sake especially, that we find an answer! I did receive my letter today, so I can let you know at least what that says until you get yours! I am pretty sure, though, that since you have trip insurance you will be able to get your money back if you cancelled your trip entirely.

The letter is (paraphrased in unimportant parts) as follows:

"The WDWTC has been advised that the special airfare that you reserved with your travel package expires on July 2005. You can protect this airfare by making full payment of the airline portion of your travel package on or before July 24, 2005.

"If payment is not received by July 24, 2005, the airline reservation will have to be cancelled and rebooked on another American airfare or on another airline. This may result in a higher airfare and a change to your flight itinerary if the original flights are not available."

Then it just says where to send the payment, etc

The end, however, says this:
"Any revisions or cancelations of air transportation after tickets are issued will be ubject to change or cancellation fees as well as re-pricing at existing fare levels".



Grr.... such complications! Like I said, with trip insurance i would imagine you would be fine -- but call reservations to be sure (407.934.7639). I suppose for now I will pay for our tickets, and then if lower airfare comes out just see if the difference is worth the "fees" incurred.

Good luck, and I'll post if I hear more!

 

[chamonix]

I really doubt you will beat $185 per ticket with American. I would go ahead and pay that now.

 

[SB in KY]

Tink2020....If you have RT airfare from Cincinnati for $185 (including taxes and fees) I would run with it if it is at times you like....airfare out of cinci rarely gets that good....I am sure the fare is nonrefundable and probably has a change fee of $50/ticket (maybe more), but if you are sure of your plans I would pay for it and smile!! Unless you are willing to drive to Indy or maybe Louisville to fly....they can be cheaper, but if you are coming and going from CVG I would be happy with the $185!! I would be astounded (happy, but astounded!!) if CVG fares got much below that!!

Cindermomma: Be very careful about your situation....most trip insurance will only pay for cancellations due to illness, injury or death in the immediate family, etc....work conflicts would not be covered by most policies and you could be stuck with paid airfare if you buy now and change plans later!! I would read my policy VERY carefully before paying for airfare!!

 

[tink2020]

Thanks for your help so far! It's actually the price out of Dayton, believe me -- we RARELY travel from CVG..... number one on the list of "Most expensive airports in the nation" for several of the last few years! Woohoo! But even still.... all the prices we're getting online (even from discount sites) are over $200 before taxes, fees, etc. The only thing I'm REALLY concerned about are DING! fares. Even this summer I"ve seen Columbus --> Orlando for like $35 each way! Even after taxes, that's less than $150 per person! I know I probably shouldn't hold my breath though. I suppose if a DING fare comes up that good, I'll just try to ignore it....

 

[cindermomma]

Thanks tink and everyone! I will definately look over my insurance (through disney), but I think you're right about work situations. If only my DH's boss could see how utterly important this is! We're talking FREE DINING here!! Thanks again!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Not sure if this will help any of you, but we are flying on American. I bought our tickets in April for October. They are non-refundable with a $100 per ticket change fee PLUS any increase in the fares. I bought them directly from American, not from WDTC.

Two weeks ago I was poking around on the American site and saw they changed my flight times. I called to inquire and they were nice enough put us on another flight coming home because the new time was earlier and sort of messed things up. They did it free of charge.

They also have a policy about changing you for free if there is bad weather (like a hurricane). My bosses were supposed to go to Miami yesterday but they canceled on Saturday because they were worried that it would rain all week.

Read the terms of the travel insurance to find out what it will and won't cover if you cancel.

Those tickets that I bought in April would now cost us over $100 more per ticket. The only low airfares I have seen are limited time offers for mid-week flights.

Good luck!

 

[nuke]

If you didn't need to pay for your tickets within 24 hours of booking your trip then you are on Disney's contracted fares. Paying for the air with American now guarantees the rate but the rules are going to be the same as they were before. American and the other airlines are realizing that the fuel costs are going to kill them and are starting to plan accordingly. American is the first to say they are raising the rates on such a such date but I'm sure the others will follow soon.

I would buy the tickets to secure the price.

 

[tink2020]

Thanks so much! I think we're going to just secure them, like you've all suggested. I figure the only REALLY good deal I might miss, as I said before, is a DING fare and then.... oh well! In the future, if it's just DH and I maybe we will just hold off until later rather than booking with our room and tickets, but with my parents and sister coming along (lil sis' first flight!) I'd rather stick with what I have, since I like the times, seats, etc.

Thanks again!

 

[imaprincez]

I got the same letter yesterday, I called Disney and they said that my airfare was taken care of already since most of my money has been paid. It was actually nice because they called the airline for me and checked and while I was there I put in my room request ( ASMo:Toy Story Building) and she told me when I can start to make my ressie's.

 

[3Aumillers]

We received the same letter. Now I just need to remember to make that call to pay in full for our airfare. We were thrilled to get a rate of $203 per person from Springfield, MO to MCO. Those kind of rates don't come up often from a small town airport.

 

[CarolA]

Thanks! I will definitely let you know if I hear anything... I am only slightly worried since we definitely know we are going. I hope, for your sake especially, that we find an answer! I did receive my letter today, so I can let you know at least what that says until you get yours! I am pretty sure, though, that since you have trip insurance you will be able to get your money back if you cancelled your trip entirely.

!

travel insurance only covers cancellations for certain reasons. DH not getting vacation approved would probably not be a reason. Usually it is illness of you and an IMMEDIATE family member. (Depends on the plan as to what an IMMEDIATE family member so be sure to check if you are buying it due to ill grandparents etc...) Cancellation due to disasters etc... is also covered. Be sure to read any policies and make sure it meets your need. You don't have to buy the "Disney sponsored" policy. A good site for comparing policies is www.insuremytrip.com