If Delta Drops My Flight, Will be Moved Earlier or Later??

[Bill From PA]

I'm looking at a 7am Delta flight out of a small local airport, AVP, for next Feb. I've used them before as well as USAir out of the same 'port and I've been re-scheduled in the past. If I book the 7am flight and they cancel it, are they more likey to put us on the 6am flight or a later one, or is there no predicting this? I'm tempted to just go with the 6am flight as that's what I'd prefer if the 7am is cancelled, but that extra hour to get to the airport makes the 7am Plan A. Any thoughts on this?

Bill From PA

 

[OKW Lover]

There's really no telling. But whichever happens (if it does happen), just call Delta and have them put you on the flight you prefer.

 

[justplaingoofy]

I had a 5:55am flight one time (different destination) and it was rescheduled to 6am and instead of the computer putting us on the 6am flight we were reassigned to a flight that left the night earlier at 7pm and more than a half of a day layover in Miami!
luckily, we noticed it before it ways time (although they never did notify us) and was able to change it back to the 6am flight...

no tellin.... I think....

 

[mamacatnv]

They switched my departure flight to an earlier flight shortly after I purchased the tix. I keep a close eye on my itinerary and immediatly called, told them the new time was inconvenient and requested a specific flight that was later in the day. No problem they changed me around and haven't changed anything else since March, but we dont' leave until Dec, so I will continue to monitor.

I would book the flight you want then just keep an eye on it and if it changes get on the phone and know what flight you want to change to don't leave it up to them to decide.

 

[paulmc80]

In most cases, f the airlines cancels your flight they will let you re-schedule to the flight you want if there are seats or refund your fare. Book the flight you want and if they cancel that flight just be sure to re-schedule to the flight you want. Be sure to check on your flight so that you can re-schedule as soon as possible if your flight is cancelled.

 

[dougsmom98]

If the airline reschedules or cancels your flight and there is more than a 20 minute difference between that flight and your, you can call and they have to change your itinerary to any other flight with availability at no cost to you. You can even change days or airports at this point.

 

[Lewisc]

If the airline reschedules or cancels your flight and there is more than a 20 minute difference between that flight and your, you can call and they have to change your itinerary to any other flight with availability at no cost to you. You can even change days or airports at this point.

The rules vary from airline to airline. The official Delta policy is to put the passenger on the next available flight but in real life they will be more accomodating.

A 20 minute difference is not always enough of a schedule change to get a refund. Some of the charter type of airlines won't refund if they can transport you on the same day.

 

[Bill From PA]

Thanks for all the helpful info. FWIW, I bit the bullet and booked the 7 am flight which will have us in Orlando by 12:29, the 6 am flight does also. Also FWIW, we paid a record amount (for us) for this flight at $300 each, beating the $284 we paid in 2004, also via Delta. USAir was not competitive at this time.

Bill From PA