Just made what is likely my LAST Reservation on USAIR

[chirurgeon]

A little background. I had planned and booked a trip leaving May 17 and returning May 26. A month after I booked my non refundable air fare I was diagnosed with cancer. I cancelled my flight and they gave me a voucher to use within 1 year.

My oncologist said it would be OK for me to go the first week in December. USAIR has a great rate leaving Dec 2 and coming back Dec 11. When I called to make my new reservation, they wanted to charge me an ADDITIONAL $100.00 as a change fee. Nobody mentioned that when I cancelled my previous trip. I really blew my top at them. They agreed to waive the fee after that, but they said it was for only once. I'm happy they agreed to waive the fee, but it seems that USAIR is getting worse and worse. I'm thinking Southwest may be getting my business in the future.

Kim

 

[Iluvthemouse]

Hate, Hate, Usairways.... Too much competition with better service airlines out there..

Glad they waived the chg fee for you and I am glad you are able to travel.

 

[bicker]

All the airlines that have change fees charge the change fee for changes. The change fee is part of the authorized tariff filed with the FAA, and you have every right to ask what the rules are for the airline tickets you purchase in advance, if you choose to do so.

Southwest is one of the few airlines that don't have change fees. Southwest also doesn't have seat assignments so boarding sometimes resembles a cattle call. However, many passengers prefer the lower-fare despite the unique service model Southwest has. Also, by restricting yourself to Southwest, you have many fewer options than if you were open to all the available airlines.

 

[Brian Noble]

FWIW, I'm surprised they waived the fee. Most airlines have a similar fee (though some are less expensive), and most won't waive it for illness that prevents you from traveling. I suspect that if you go back and check the terms & conditions of the original ticket you purchased, it will spell out this fee very plainly.

Nearly every low-fare ticket on nearly every airline is nonrefundable, and cannot be changed without a fee. Southwest is one of the few that doesn't have such fees. Spirit used to allow fee-free changes to, but stopped last year.

 

[safetymom]

US Airways is my favorite airline and fly them almost weekly. Every airline but Southwest charges change fees. You were lucky that they waived them for you.

 

[Drake]

First of all, I am so happy that you are going to WDW after your diagnosis!
I was diagnosed Nov. '04, and had surgery, radiation and chemo. During those months I planned our Disney vacation Last April we all had a wonderful, magical vacation in Disney! When things are tough, think of December and the magic that awaits you ~ my thoughts are with you.

I live outside of PHL and we fly Southwest, always! USAir should have told you about any costs incurred when you cancelled your first reservation. I used to only fly USAir, but for the last several years we've used Southwest and Airtran. Southwest is our favorite because you can always cancel without penalty....and, if a lower fare comes out, you can modify your reservation and get a credit for your next trip

 

[NotUrsula]

What's odd is that they apparently didn't take the change fee out before giving you the voucher. Normally that is how airlines handle a cancellation with the intent to later re-book.

 

[troy mcclure]

Sorry this happened, but like others have said this is typical of practically every airline. That said, "they" don't call this particular airline Useless Air (or U.S. Scare) for nothing!

 

[jimmiej]

All the airlines that have change fees charge the change fee for changes.

tongue twister!

 

[chirurgeon]

I would have been happy to pay the change fee for anything other an the fact I have cancer. I was hoping for a little consideration without me having to push it up the chain of command. I used to love USAIR before they virtually abandoned the people who helped get the airline where they were. SWA seems like the best alternative for me in the future.

Kim

 

[maxiesmom]

Why not focus on the fact that they did wave the change fee for you? As stated most airline would not. I am not trying to make light of the fact you have cancer, but airlines do not even off a discount rate for people going to funerals anymore. Unfortunately they have run their business with their heads, not their hearts. People may say they would pay for better service, but when push comes to shove they will not. What matters to most people is price and if a company has to be hard hearted to save money, well, it is what it is.

 

[bicker]

Net Income

US Airways: ____________ -$330,000,000
American Airlines: _____ -$861,000,000
Delta Airlines: ______ -$3,840,000,000
United Airlines: ____ -$21,190,000,000
Northwest Airlines: __ -$2,490,000,000
Continental Airlines: ___ -$68,000,000
Southwest Airlines: -____ +548,000,000
JetBlue Airlines: _______ -$20,000,000
Midwest Express: ________ -$64,890,000
AirTran: __________________ +1,720,000

 

[snowbunny]

This is the other side of cheap nonrefundable fares. Essentially when you complained, they made your nonrefundable fare fully refundable. If you had purchased a refundable fare to begin with, your cost would have been much higher. I'd say USAir treated you very very well.

Best of luck with your treatment and enjoy your trip!

 

[CarolA]

I would have been happy to pay the change fee for anything other an the fact I have cancer. I was hoping for a little consideration without me having to push it up the chain of command. I used to love USAIR before they virtually abandoned the people who helped get the airline where they were. SWA seems like the best alternative for me in the future.

Kim

This is going to sound really horrible, but.... USAir has heard every excuse in the book. Cancer, death, work, weather etc.... They don't care since at least half of the excuses are things folks made up to try and get the fees waived...You just got lucky.

I am more then a little surprised that you were upset about the change fee. I am EXTREMELY surprised that cancer or not you got it waived. Most posters would not have been this lucky....

NON refundable means just that. It doesn't mean "non refundable" if I change my mind, but refundable if something bad happens to me. And with a response like this to customer service bending over to "break" the rules for you, does anyone wonder why they don't want to break the rules. The OP got the rules waived and "will never fly them again" So much for rewarding customer service.... that was a wasted effort on USAir's part to keep a customer happy... (Do the right thing and get slammed for it?) And let me guess your initial airfare was fairly inexpensive. You are right... our desire for cheap airfares has gotten USAir where they are... bankrupt twice and still having fianncial difficulties.

 

[bicker]

Disney used to be much more generous, as well. Their "guest recovery" program became so renowned that people started fabricating claims, just to get themselves bestowed with the benefits of "guest recovery." Now, you'll find "guest recovery" often requires proof of the validity of the loss. Disney couldn't afford to give everyone every benefit, while still offering what they offer at a competitive price.