My AT flights changed, now a couple ??'s...

[Minniekins]

In Jan we were scheduled to go all nonstop from Chicago to MCO on a Sat morn. at 7:30, arriving 11:01, (really too early but we want to have most of the afternoon and evening for the parks), and returning on a Sun at 2:27 arriving 4:07(okay time), I think. Those flight times have remained very steady until yesterday. Now we are leaving at 8:00 a.m. and arriving 11:29,(teeny bit better leaving at 8), and returning 4:05 arriving 5:45(much better time, won't have to leave room too early for the ME, we can maybe get a late check out like noon or 12:30 or so). Hopefully we won't have too many others changes. I was surprised to see both times change at the same time, usually they've changed just a little, and one flight at a time.

The flight we have returning has a pretty good price. The price down right now is 114. So, I'm wondering, I've heard some speak of requesting a refund if the flight they had gets changed and the new time then has a big price drop at some point. So, how would I go about this if I did decide to request a change like this if the price drops a good amount to say 69 or 79 dollars. If they showed availability online for 2 at a much lower price, would I call and ask for the refund first and then just go online myself and rebook at the lower price? Or, since they've changed the times, would they agree to drop the price without going through the cancelling and rebooking? I haven't tried to do this before, and won't if there isn't a big drop in price, but want to know how to go about doing it if the right situation presents itself. I've read of others being able to take advantage of big price breaks so maybe I'll get a nice break! Please no flames, just asking about things I've read about here before. Thanks!

 

[taliategan]

AT should send you an e-mail shortly notifying you of the change and asking you to accept the changes. If you do not want to accept the change, there will be a phone number to call. Not sure, but I doubt if they will let you re-book at a lower price. I think you will have to plead your case that the changed time will not work for you and ask them to cancel and refund what you paid. You would then have to re-book on your own. I can not recall, but there may be a time limit after the notification for you to request a refund.

 

[elgerber]

That is what I did. I called and cancelled the flight, due to time change. Then I went online and rebooked a different flight that was cheaper. It was no problem at all.

Edited to add, I had never gotten any e-mail from AirTran to accept, I just noticed it online and then called them. They was no pleading, I just said I was unhappy that my flight was landing later.

 

[Minniekins]

AT should send you an e-mail shortly notifying you of the change and asking you to accept the changes. If you do not want to accept the change, there will be a phone number to call. Not sure, but I doubt if they will let you re-book at a lower price. I think you will have to plead your case that the changed time will not work for you and ask them to cancel and refund what you paid. You would then have to re-book on your own. I can not recall, but there may be a time limit after the notification for you to request a refund.

Thanks! I will keep an eye out for email from AT regarding these changes. Haven't seen anything yet, but I'm sure it will come someday. Hmmm, will be interested to see if there is a time limit, I wasn't aware there might be one.

That is what I did. I called and cancelled the flight, due to time change. Then I went online and rebooked a different flight that was cheaper. It was no problem at all.

Edited to add, I had never gotten any e-mail from AirTran to accept, I just noticed it online and then called them. They was no pleading, I just said I was unhappy that my flight was landing later.

Thanks for letting me know your experience and what you did, and said when you were unhappy about your flight landing later. I was thinking this would be how it worked from what I'd read previously. I still haven't heard from them since things changed. I also noticed it had changed because I check the AT flight times often. I am hoping the flight down has nice change in fare soon, prices that day have stayed relatively higher. I decided to ask in case there is a sudden drop, I want to be sure of how to go about things so I don't mess up!