OT: Hawaii Flights - Need An Expert Travel Person / Agent

[speedyf]

My uncle has decided that he wants to take his family to Hawaii. He was trying to book the whole package through an American Express travel agent....until I jumped in with all my "expert" advice.

He decided that he wanted to fly first class from New Orleans to Hawaii. The agent found the 6 tickets. 3 at $2200, 2 at $3200, and 1 at $4200.....OUCH!

I then suggested flying coach from New Orleans to Atlanta or Houston and then flying First Class the rest of the way. I looked into it via Delta and found a coach ticket round trip from New Orleans to/from Atlanta for $272.

I then found a round trip ticket from Atlanta to/from Hawaii for $1673. His total for 6 people was now at $1945 per person instead of an average of $2867 per person....a savings of over $900 per person.

Here's my question. He booked the first class round trip ticket from Atlanta to/from Hawaii on Delta through that Amex Agent. She told him he should book the New Orleans to/from Atlanta trip through a different airline. She said that if Delta finds out that he booked coach from New Orleans to/from Atlanta then booked First Class from Atlanta to/from Hawaii....that they would increase his ticket price on the First Class tickets.

Has anyone ever heard of this? He's basically flying coach from New Orleans to Atlanta....then, First Class from Atlanta to Hawaii. Then, to come back....he's flying First Class from Hawaii to Atlanta....then, coach back from Atlanta to New Orleans.

I tried looking at AirTran...but, they don't have the times that he wants. I was just curious if anyone had ever heard of this before....increasing a ticket after it is already paid for?????

I tried calling Delta....but, none of the reservation agents speak English very well and they just don't get what I'm asking. They are too busy trying to push a flight on me. I'm thinking about calling and asking for a manager to see if someone can answer this question for me.

Any insight?

Thanks,
Speed

 

[Ron&BB]

WE resurched going to Oahu before changing our minded to WDW.I found good deals on non-stop flights out of Houston intercontinal (IAH). the big airport not hobby.
IAH is a HUB for Continental, Houston Hobby is the HUB for Southwest.
To keep the price down I would drive to Houston from N.O. or fly useing a reginale airlines.HTH

 

[speedyf]

Ron...

Appreciate the help. I checked out Continental....but, my uncle wants to fly First Class. Continental's First Class tickets are $3200 per ticket for a direct flight from Houston to Honolulu. Delta's tickets are $1670 per ticket for a direct flight from Atlanta to Honolulu....that's why I was going with Delta.

Thanks....
Speed

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

When booking first class to Hawaii, you need to be aware that airlines apply the "first class" label to very different kinds of seating.

Some first class seating has seat pitch of around 60 inches. The seats recline substantially, which is great on your return flight because the return flight is typically overnight. There are sometimes individual video screens on such seats. Essentially, the seating is similar to international business class. This type of first class is great!

Other first class seating has a seat pitch of around 38-40 inches. The seating is domestic first class. This type of first class is, of course, better than economy. The seats recline more than economy seats, but not nearly as far as international business class seats. It's still hard to sleep.

The trick is to look up your airline and aircraft type at http://www.seatguru.com/ — but make sure that you know the specific model, and, if the airlines will tell you, the specific configuration. The same airline may operate the same basic aircraft, such as a Boeing 767, with different types of seating in the forward cabin.

Don't set your expectations too high when it comes to food. Yes, the is food, unlike almost all domestic economy (including most economy service to Hawaii). And alcohol is complimentary. But you'll get a better meal at almost any table service restaurant on land.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Flying on 1 ticket to an intermediate location and then contuing to your final destination on a different ticket is often referred to as an end-to end ticket. It is generally okay, because you are abiding by all of the rules of both tickets, such a minimum stay, etc. However, I am not familar with Delta's rules, so I would suggest you go to flyertalk and get some advice from the Delta FFs on that board.

If it looks like its okay on Delta, your uncle probably will want to do the whole trip on Delta. Otherwise, there is a much greater risk of being stranded if the first flight is late or even if its time is changed.

Also, I know that AA has a fare class referred to as a YUP fare that gives you a first class seat for the price of full fare coach. For some trips, it is substantally cheaper than actual FC. The folks on flyertalk will also know about this fare if it is available on DL.

Finally, we fly AA FC to HI all the time. As far as I am concerned, domestic FC has 4 benefits:

1. Shorter line at counter check-in
2. Elite line thru security at some airports for some airlines
3. More leg room
4. Some sort of meal without having to shell out cash or bring your own
5. First to board the flight, so you have room overhead for carry-ons

If the first flight is in coach, then 1 & 2 would not apply on the outbound. Of course, they may not apply in New Orleans in any event. This would diminish the value of FC to me, but maybe not enough to pay $900 difference in fare. That said, we use FF miles to fly FC and wouldn't spend even a $1000 extra per ticket just to fly FC.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[slippahs]

Being a Hawaii resident all my life, an elite level flyer, as well as a moderator over on Flyertalk for the Hawaii forum, I can tell you that there's a reason for Continental's high priced first class tickets. Continental flies the best first class product to/from the Islands. They're the only airline that treats Hawaii as an international destination (when we're really not) and has their BuisnessFirst service to go along with it.

Delta on the other hand, has cramped 767-400s operating between ATL and HNL in the First Class section. You do not get full recline on your seat.

Here are a few pictures of the meal you can expect in First Class between ATL-HNL:
http://slippahs.smugmug.com/gallery/1161898/1/32269551
Please note that the password is flyertalk . Please do not reproduce these photos.

Of the five major carriers (CO/NW/DL/AA/UA), Continental and American offer the best First seats to HNL. American usually prices out at or about the Delta price, so American is usually your best bet. You might also consider using an industry travel website that'll help you see fares a bit better. Such as website is the ITA travel one at beta.itasoftware.com (log in as guest).

For more information, please visit the Hawaii forum over on Flyertalk.

Hope this helps!

 

[CarolA]

I have had to do this for my mother. She has booked tours that leave from Atlanta and I have gotten her tickets to Atlanta (All on DL)

Personally I don't think the airlines will connect the two tickets. (And personally your local Amex TA is probably clueless.... ) Just have him buy the tickets on his own.

However, you may or may not be able to check your luggage from New Orleans to Hawaii. You need LOTS of extra time in Atlanta on both flights. You may very well have to go out to baggage claim, pick up your luggage, haul it over to ticketing and recheck in. Then you go back thur security. Give youself a good hour to hour and a half for this. My mother has had some success asking the first Ticket agent to book her thru, but there is no gurantee.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

CarolA has it correct.

(a) the airline won't connect the two tickets together automatically

(b) however, the downside to that, is you may have to claim the luggage in ATL and recheck in again. In ATL, that can be a HUGE pain in and of itself.

Now, you might end up with a friendly agent at MSY that will book the luggage all the way through but, then again, you might not. It depends how much of a gambler you are.

 

[CarolA]

CarolA has it correct.

(a) the airline won't connect the two tickets together automatically

(b) however, the downside to that, is you may have to claim the luggage in ATL and recheck in again. In ATL, that can be a HUGE pain in and of itself.

Now, you might end up with a friendly agent at MSY that will book the luggage all the way through but, then again, you might not. It depends how much of a gambler you are.

My rule when I do this for my mother is to plan for the worst. If they do take her luggage all the way thru then she can just relax...otherwise better safe then sorry. We have had it work both ways.

 

[slippahs]

Having you luggage with you all the way through ATL to HNL or your final destination is called interlining your luggage.

Call Delta to see if they have interline agreements with Airtran in ATL. If they do (and I assume they do--most domestic carriers have interline agreements in place with each other), then when you check-in make sure that you luggage is checked thru to HNL. Tell the agent that Delta and Airtrain does have interline arrangements in place at ATL and show them your Delta E-ticket number. Per these agreements, the agent should check your bags through; but again, you must call Delta and see if these arrangements are in place.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

It's much better to have a real connection than to have two separate bookings.

Let's assume that your first flight segment is cancelled or substantially delayed (which is always a real possibility)...

With a real connection on a single booking, the airline will make arrangements to get you to your final destination. They might route you through another city, or they might even put you another airline. After all, you have a ticket from our home city to your final destination, that just happens to involve a connection.

With two separate tickets, the airline only has an obligation to get you to the destination that's on your first ticket. If you arrive in your unofficial connecting city after your second flight (on a separate ticket) has already left, that's your problem, not the airline's problem.

It's just not worth it to take the risk.

 

[speedyf]

I appreciate all the help. My uncle has booked with Delta all the way. I checked American from Dallas (which I think is their hub) to Hawaii and their tickets were $3200 round trip for 1st Class....so, we stuck with the $1670 First Class tickets from Atlanta instead.

My uncle is leaving at 10am from N.O. and arriving at 12:30 in ATL. He is then leaving at 3:45pm from ATL to arrive at around 7:30pm in HNL. So, he has about a 3 hour layover which should give him enough time if he needs to claim baggage, re-check, etc.

He's flying back leaving around 6pm from HNL and arriving at 7:55am the next morning in ATL...then leaving ATL at 10:15am for a return to N.O. at 11:00 in N.O. That gives him a little over 2 hours in Atlanta again for luggage.

Since he is flying Delta all the way through....is it possible that he could ask to check his luggage in N.O. for HNL and possibly not have to claim baggage and recheck in ATL? I guess all they can tell him is no.....correct?

His flights from ATL to/from Hawaii are First Class via the AMEX travel agent. His flights from N.O. to/from ATL are coach that I booked on Delta's website.

Thanks again for all your help.....
Speed

 

[slippahs]

My uncle is leaving at 10am from N.O. and arriving at 12:30 in ATL. He is then leaving at 3:45pm from ATL to arrive at around 7:30pm in HNL. So, he has about a 3 hour layover which should give him enough time if he needs to claim baggage, re-check, etc.

He's flying back leaving around 6pm from HNL and arriving at 7:55am the next morning in ATL...then leaving ATL at 10:15am for a return to N.O. at 11:00 in N.O. That gives him a little over 2 hours in Atlanta again for luggage.

Since he is flying Delta all the way through....is it possible that he could ask to check his luggage in N.O. for HNL and possibly not have to claim baggage and recheck in ATL? I guess all they can tell him is no.....correct?

Since he's flying Delta all the way, he should have no problems interlining his luggage all the way through to HNL. Just make sure that when he checks in, he tells the agent to check the bags thru to HNL since that will be his final destination. The agent will likely ask what carrier you're continuing on. Be sure to provide the agent with a confirmation number of the second segment booked through the AMEX travel agent so the agent can pull up the reservations. Finally, make sure he double checks the tags to see a big fat "HNL" on there--we wouldn't want his bags to end up on a baggage claim area in ATL.

Hope this helps--and I hope he has a pleasant stay here in the Islands!

 

[CarolA]

Having you luggage with you all the way through ATL to HNL or your final destination is called interlining your luggage.

Call Delta to see if they have interline agreements with Airtran in ATL. If they do (and I assume they do--most domestic carriers have interline agreements in place with each other), then when you check-in make sure that you luggage is checked thru to HNL. Tell the agent that Delta and Airtrain does have interline arrangements in place at ATL and show them your Delta E-ticket number. Per these agreements, the agent should check your bags through; but again, you must call Delta and see if these arrangements are in place.

However, the interline ONLY works if you are on one ticket. They don't have to do this is you are on TWO tickets which OPs family members will be.....

And you may have problems even if you are on one airline. Once again technically it is TWO tickets. The gate agents are NOT required to connect your luggage for you and you may very well get the "by the rules" guy who won't do it. (And that doesn't even bring up the problem at lots of airports of even getting a HUMAN on DL to check your luggage. Trying to get them to wait on you instead of trying to force you to "use the kiosk" can be a nightmare)

 

[speedyf]

It won't be a problem. If they can interline the luggage, then great. But, my uncle and his family are prepared to claim and recheck luggage in Atlanta if they have to do it. They will have 3+ hours during their layover in Atlanta....so, I don't think they will have a timing issue.

I could have booked First Class for him all the way....for around $2300 per ticket....but, he wanted to save the $350 per person ($2100 total savings on 6 tickets) and fly coach between New Orleans & Atlanta (1.5 hour trip).

Thanks for all the great tips and help.

Speed

 

[slippahs]

However, the interline ONLY works if you are on one ticket. They don't have to do this is you are on TWO tickets which OPs family members will be.....

And you may have problems even if you are on one airline. Once again technically it is TWO tickets. The gate agents are NOT required to connect your luggage for you and you may very well get the "by the rules" guy who won't do it. (And that doesn't even bring up the problem at lots of airports of even getting a HUMAN on DL to check your luggage. Trying to get them to wait on you instead of trying to force you to "use the kiosk" can be a nightmare)

With all due respect, even despite it being two tickets, no one, neither I nor anyone on Flyertalk, has encountered an agent not willing to interline luggage all the way through to one's final destination, especially on two Delta tickets. Agents who play hardball on the rules like that are rare in the Delta system. Remember, you attract more flies with honey.

 

[CarolA]

With all due respect, even despite it being two tickets, no one, neither I nor anyone on Flyertalk, has encountered an agent not willing to interline luggage all the way through to one's final destination, especially on two Delta tickets. Agents who play hardball on the rules like that are rare in the Delta system. Remember, you attract more flies with honey.

I fly DL weekly and my mother is very nice to DL (she is from the school where you still dress to travel) Appaently TYS has hardball agents! (And Peru has agents who speak no English so they never quite got the concept of what she was trying to do)