I hate change fees!

[Danibelle]

Not at all. Delta made a CHOICE.

As for the fees? I agree with ExPirateShopGirl - and I buy the nonrefundable fares. They're not "gotcha" fees. I know what I'm buying beforehand. MY choice. I don't expect the airline to make an exception for me under any conditions.

These fees have been around for over 20 years. They are the normal fees imposed on "non-refundable tickets." It would be extremely unusual for any airline (not just Delta) to make an exception. If you can use Southwest, you can change for any reason and get a credit for future travel.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Absolutely, Danibelle.

Like goofy4tink, I can use Southwest. I choose not to at this point. As she pointed out, they're not nonstop from BOS to anywhere I fly at this time (while JetBlue is), and they're not competitive since I know I can travel for ten days with one checked bag.

 

[DebbieB]

These fees have been around for over 20 years. They are the normal fees imposed on "non-refundable tickets." It would be extremely unusual for any airline (not just Delta) to make an exception. If you can use Southwest, you can change for any reason and get a credit for future travel.

They have gone up considerably recently. I think they used to only be $35, then it was $50, then $100, now $150.

 

[pumpkinboy]

I'd just like to point out that earlier in the thread you said if Delta helped you on the change fee, you'd have more loyalty to them. But now you're saying you're using JetBlue more already (before this controversy). I assume you're choosing JetBlue because of cost or flight times (or a combination).

So are you saying if Delta waived the change fees for this trip, you'd pay more or take not ideal flight times?

This is why a threat of "I'll never use your company again" IMO falls flat. You've already moved away from Delta.

We are taking JetBlue more often bcs the routes suit our needs, and the service is frankly much better. As I move to a position where I'll be travelling more on Delta's core routes, I was considering including Delta in my preferred category, where I would select it over others when the differential is small; JetBlue is an airline I will choose when the differential is moderate, since the service and flexibility is so clearly better, in my experience.

And I still like Delta just fine and will buy there when it is advantageous; I just won't go out of my way to take them as I used to in the 1990s and early 2000s. I still prefer them to the other legacy carriers (tho not their codeshare airlines ASA or ComAir, which I already avoid bcs the service is so aweful; Delta itself has pretty good service, all in all, and they're really good to my DS when we travel for leisure).

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I can understand both sides in this one. I now usually book SW even if I have to take connecting flights (although I try very hard for noon-stops when I have my special needs adult DS with me). With SW's "no baggage fee" rule, it can still save me $$ to pay a higher fare. But mostly I use them for the "insurance" that I can reschedule or cancel a trip so painlessly.

But the airlines can really tick me off, here is a good one. A few years back, DH had a flight booked with a friend, DH paid for both seats. Last minute, friend could not go. DH could not get a refund, so he wanted/expected that seat next to him to stay empty. He PAID for it after all, and he could have a little more comfort in exchange (DH is a big guy, 6'1", 230 pounds). NOPE. The airline said no, and re-sold that seat, I guess to a standby. This seemed unfair; if no refund, at least let DH use the 2 seats he paid for..... He argued but had to give up or get kicked off the flight.

If DH had booked two seats in his name he would have had a claim.. otherwise....No go! Sorry!

OP keeps going on about "Jet Blue" As someone who got stuck in the storm several years ago.. They are my "last resort" list. I figure if they can't figure out how to recover from a winter storm in 10 days there's something wrong!) (Yes I know they have done better, but they stranded me and were CLUELESS LOL!)