OMG Jet Blue changed my flights!!!!

[kaytieeldr]

I don't know. Who loves Jet Blue...Was this just a fluke thing????

It's a fluke. CAN you leave the day before, as in, is it possible for your family based on work/school/other plans? If so, call back JetBlue and ask about changing to that evening flight the day before, again at no cost to you. If it's not possible, go with the connecting flight. I know it's not (as) convenient (as you'd like), but truly, it's MUCH MORE convenient that driving out of Los Angeles to your destination!

I know this ISN'T going to happen to you, but funny experience: One December, I booked a JetBlue connecting itinerary intentionally, because it got me to my destination earlier (I was tired of arriving at my Las Vegas hotel between 1 and 4 AM ). Well, there's been a snowstorm the day before and one predicted for the day after - but my departure day was clear.

Didn't matter. The "big three" airports - JFK, LGA, PHL - were experiencing three and four hour delays. The plane that was supposed to take me on my first leg? Now wasn't expected to depart Philadelphia until after it was originally scheduled to land in Washington. There was no way I was going to make my connection.

JetBlue FORCED me to change my plans. They MADE me switch to... my 'normal', nonstop, 8:30 PM (at the time) departure!

 

[deedeetoo]

This also just happened to us flying JetBLue to and from LAX also in July. We had been scheduled to come home on the redeye. We chose this because we wanted the whole day there and it was cheaper (at the time). They cancelled it and put us on a flight leaving the next day. This would have gotten us home too late and would meant another night in a hotel in LA. We changed it back to a flight going out earlier on our original day (at the same cost) and we basically lost the day. Instead of leaving at 11pm, we are now leaving at 1:30pm. It also took them forever to fix it. I was on the phone with them for about an hour because their "new and improved" reservations system wouldn't let them make any changes.

 

[PlutoPony]

You might want to check a few other airlines before you make a decision, so that you're not limiting yourself to just JetBlue and Southwest. I'd be astonished if there isn't at least one other airline with competitive prices on a cross country, non stop flight. Personally I'd be looking at Virgin America (they get great reviews) and United for sure, both of which will have multiple non stops out of Boston into LAX.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'd definitely check out Virgin America. But be aware that you pay for the first (and subsequent, of course) checked bags. They have TVs too, and even better than JB's. In fact "my" TV on our JB flight was broken! I had to watch whatever DH or DS was watching (I was in the middle). Ultimately not a huge deal, as I wouldn't have watched anything that DS couldn't watch anyway (since he could have seen my screen), but if I'd been absolutely relying on it, I would have been out of luck.

VA has music and videogames and a chat feature, LOL...they are quite awesome.

 

[MouseyMin]

OP, you're going to Disneyland, right? If so, I would opt for the non-stop to LAX. There are plenty of good, fairly cheap options for getting to Disneyland from LAX (bus or shuttle). The ride is a bit longer than from Long Beach, but not terrible. And it sure beats changing planes somewhere - that would add about 2 hours to the trip, as well as a second landing (and a chance for your luggage to get lost).

 

[JessGWI]

Previous poster was right, this is considered a major schedule change and you are entitled to a refund. If you booked directly through JetBlue, you will have no problems getting this, but I absolutely would not start out with them by throwing a fit as PP mentioned. A simple "We received a major schedule change and these flight times simply won't work for us. My family and I would like a refund" will get you the results you want. But, if you're willing to take those flights, just be aware there is probably some serious amount of travel voucher you can get for a future trip. Just throwing that out there. I received a major schedule change (only 6 hours) for a flight to Hawaii not that long ago and we each received a $400 voucher. This was on a different airline than yours, and I'm not saying it will be offered, but like I said, if you're willing, its worth exploring.

 

[uva185]

What? You mean an airline other than Airtran actually changes flights?

HAHAHA!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

I think I would stick with JetBlue anyway. You mentioned that they are $200 cheaper than SW, plus the TV's!

I haven't been on a flight that long yet, but if I had the choice of a flight with the TV or one without, I'm taking the TV every time, even if the flight times aren't as convenient.

 

[justplaingoofy]

I think I would stick with JetBlue anyway. You mentioned that they are $200 cheaper than SW, plus the TV's!

I haven't been on a flight that long yet, but if I had the choice of a flight with the TV or one without, I'm taking the TV every time, even if the flight times aren't as convenient.

Plus you can pick your seats ahead of time so you don't have to worry about being near a computer 24hrs before your flight

JetBlue is pretty good about schedule changes. Now Airtran & Delta..thats a whole other story

 

[dis-happy]

op, you're going to disneyland, right? If so, i would opt for the non-stop to lax. There are plenty of good, fairly cheap options for getting to disneyland from lax (bus or shuttle). The ride is a bit longer than from long beach, but not terrible. And it sure beats changing planes somewhere - that would add about 2 hours to the trip, as well as a second landing (and a chance for your luggage to get lost).

ita

 

[Inkmahm]

Plus you can pick your seats ahead of time so you don't have to worry about being near a computer 24hrs before your flight

JetBlue is pretty good about schedule changes. Now Airtran & Delta..thats a whole other story

JetBlue is pretty good about schedule changes? Isn't that the topic of this thread, a horrible schedule change?

 

[justplaingoofy]

JetBlue is pretty good about schedule changes? Isn't that the topic of this thread, a horrible schedule change?

It is, but they don't typically have as many schedule changes as Air Tran & Delta. Plus JetBlue is good about giving you a refund if the change is more than a couple of hours.

 

[NHBelle]

Isn't that the topic of this thread, a horrible schedule change?

It was a lousy changes, but they really were very nice and we decided to change to LAX so we can still have a nonstop flight and we got our great departure/arrival times back. I really wanted to avoid LAX, but it'll be okay. The flights were slightly more than what I originally paid, but there was no charge for the difference. I hope there are no more changes. I just love this site...you guys are always so helpful

 

[JessGWI]

It was a lousy changes, but they really were very nice and we decided to change to LAX so we can still have a nonstop flight and we got our great departure/arrival times back. I really wanted to avoid LAX, but it'll be okay. The flights were slightly more than what I originally paid, but there was no charge for the difference. I hope there are no more changes. I just love this site...you guys are always so helpful

If you'll be giong into LAX, I Recommend Super Shuttle to get to Anaheim, I have used them several times and they are very reliable and the rates are reasonable. I've never had to wait for then 5-10 minutes for a shuttle even without an advance reservation. Although, whenever I had an advance reservation, I was always the first dropped off, and they never waited at the airport for other passengers, just picked up and left.

 

[airhead]

My last 3 trips with JetBlue had time changes,but I expect that when I book my flights because I do so as soon as the flights are released. I grab great rates but always know my times will probably will be changed. I'm ok with that.

 

[tiki23]

If you'll be giong into LAX, I Recommend Super Shuttle to get to Anaheim, I have used them several times and they are very reliable and the rates are reasonable. I've never had to wait for then 5-10 minutes for a shuttle even without an advance reservation. Although, whenever I had an advance reservation, I was always the first dropped off, and they never waited at the airport for other passengers, just picked up and left.

Another vote for Super Shuttle; we always use them in CA. Check online for coupons!

 

[Inkmahm]

It is, but they don't typically have as many schedule changes as Air Tran & Delta. Plus JetBlue is good about giving you a refund if the change is more than a couple of hours.

Airtran is great about letting you change your flight if they change the original by even just a few minutes, not hours. Or a refund, if that's what you prefer.

 

[PinkRhombus]

Really? I'd deal with the entire situation in a mature, adult manner. The Customer Service Rep with whom I'd be speaking - and subsquent supervisors or managers, if that person couldn't (not wouldn't, but was restricted by policy or even simple IT or schedule* issues) help me - DIDN'T make the change. JetBlue didn't make the change to inconvenience me.

Throwing a fit won't get me anywhere. Remaining calm and determining my options, will.

Okay...clarification here...my "fits" are probably not what you consider a "fit". I'm a pretty calm person, and anything above my normal demeanor I consider a "fit.

I would be pretty upset by that type of schedule change though. A person could spend a good quantity of time planning their vacation out and to have that severe of a change thrown at them...it basically negates most of your work.

Not to mention the added cost her family is going to be hit with.

We're flying on Delta...they've made a small adjustment to our flights, but no more than 5 minutes either way.

 

[disfan07]

check virgin america. IMO they are 100x better than jetblue anyways. They go boston to LAX. We fly them once or twice a year from LAX to IAD.

 

[Pig Pen]

JetBlue must be making major changes for the summer. Our July flight to MCO has been changed twice now. Nothing major like the OP, but we are now departing on our last day almost 3 hours earlier (5:00 pm instead of 8:00 pm).

Count your blessings that you are dealing with JetBlue and not Delta! I was booked on Delta this past winter, leaving on a Saturday when a blizzard was forecast. On that Friday I desperately tried to change the flight to a day EARLIER to avoid problems. They refused to change it (unless I paid the change fees which were more than the ticket price) because they had not yet officially canceled anything. All other airlines had already cancelled flights. I don't know what Delta was waiting for.

I explained that the last Delta flight out was in 3 hours and was a higher fare, but I was willing to pay it if they waived the fee. They still refused. I asked to speak to a supervisor and after being on hold, I was cut off.

So I bit the bullet and scheduled a flight on another airline (for the same low price as Delta) and kept my fingers crossed. It ended up that I made it out with no problems, my Delta flight was cancelled AFTER I arrived at my destination, I received a full refund, but Delta's rigidity left a bad taste in my mouth. It ended up they were out my fare and I will probably choose another airline if given a choice.