Panic attack!!!

[mapa2smjn]

Well sometimes planning ahead is just not helpful..........

We just found out that the 8 airline tickets we booked ages ago and had long since paid for are now worth bubkis because the airlines has closed its doors!
Money we paid for the tickets is now tied up in the bankruptcy courts and we have no flight....I have spent the last 3 days searching and came up with a flight with comparable times/cost (money we DON'T have to lay out again but our non refundable Villa says we go now) However we have to fly into Tampa instead of Orlando or Sanford. This of course messes up our reserved 12 passenger van (for the 8 of us and moms electric wheelchair) they don't have one at Tampa (ok so they have 1 for 2x the price but holy cow!

So I am pleading for any tips or ideas on ground transportation that won't break the bank! Also pleading for some good luck to float our way. hoping the genie can grant us some sanity to re-plan the whole trip now!
Thanks for letting me vent...

 

[MaryPA]

I am so sorry to hear of your flight troubles. I am also sorry that I have no advice for you. I am sure the experts here can give advice

I do wish you the best of luck and hope you have a great time!

 

[gggpack]

I hope it's not Spirit Airlines. Now we're concerned about that one going caput. Sorry for your troubles.

 

[ChrisStef]

Maybe this might help....

When I was younger and only had a $300 secured credit card, I reserved a rental car in Columbus, Ohio.

I had the cash to cover the cost of the rental and was prepared to pay up front, but for SOME reason they *needed* to put the entire total on my CC (about $325). Since my limit didn't cover the amount I was left hanging at the airport, needing to get to the convention center to set up my booth for a trade show.

A cab ride to U-haul got me a van for less than 1/2 the price of the rental car (and U-haul will rent to almost anybody). Plus U-haul rents "one way". So it may cost 2 cab rides more (one from airport to U-haul in Tampa, and one from U-haul in Orlando to WDW), but for the day rate and mileage, it might be do-able.

Chris

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

I liked the previous poster's suggestion -- I have 2 more that you've probably already thought of...

1.) Hotwire.com/Priceline.com (I got a good deal 2 years ago @ the Tampa Airport through Priceline
2.) Checking with Tampa car dealerships to see if they have any good deals on van rentals
​

GOOD LUCK!

 

[psiprez]

If you paid with the tickets with a major credit card, the tickets may be covered under the buyer protection program.

This isn't the 'credit protection program' they always try to get you to pay extra for. This comes free with the card and would cover damaged merchandise, items never received from vendor, trip insurance, etc. (Youv'e seen the commercials where someone drops a vase they just bought, and it gets replaced free...).

Of course, I have no idea if plane tickets are covered, but if you did use a credit card, it can't hurt to inquire with them!

Keep your chin up, and realize it will all work out in the end!
:

 

[Diznenut]

this may help -

In order to get decent prices for flights, we took a DING! fare for 39.00 each one way - total 270.00 for all three of us roundtrip instead of 224.00 per person. BUT, just like you, flying into tampa instead of orlando.

We have decided to get a rental car (GASP) for the 9 days since we are staying off site for part of the trip and will be doing a lot of shopping and going to a dinner theatre. However, I looked into several alternatives and found that Greyhound has several shuttles running between tampa and orlando. Trip takes 2 hours but the cost with buddy fare would only be a total 88.00 round trip - for all three of us. You may want to take a look at that possiblity.

 

[JPN4265]

Did you ever say which airlines it was?

 

[MELSMICE]

Did you ever say which airlines it was?

I was wondering that also.

 

[mapa2smjn]

It was Trans Meridian Airlines.
Thanks for all of the great ideas...I am busy busy busy with the phone and computer trying out your great ideas to see what will work. The main problem with shuttles and taxis is Mom's electric wheelchair.

 

[4fireworks]

Wow! Sorry I don't have any suggestions, just bumping up so more people read this.

 

[eblack0409]

I agree with checking your credit card company. I had a flight cancelled on me and no notice, so when I called the credit card company, they took the payment off and I re booked.

Another suggestion would be to drive if you don't live that far away. My husband and drove last month from WV-12 hours!

Good luck!

 

[4fireworks]

So what happened?? .................Suspense!! Biting nails!!
Hope everything turned out okay

 

[stenogoddess]

sending all the good vibes and pixie dust your way Checking with the credit card company is a really good idea. I had a somewhat similar problem and the credit card company did give me my money back. It took 90 days, but at least I got it back. Tell us what happened!

 

[Cinderella94]

I am so sorry this had to happen to you. Unfortunately I don't have any advice.....

Things will work out!! Don't worry. Here's some good luck vibes and pixie dust for you.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

How about renting the 12 passenger van at 2x the price one way for one day and pay the drop charge? For some rental companies there might not even be a drop charge because cars move around so frequently in Florida. OR....rent two cars if you have another driver...again looking to avoid the drop charge.

Or...if the timing fits you could try AMTRAK...it just seems to me by the time you get 8 people anywhere using mass intercity transit my first suggestion is still a winner.

Or...a blended solution...rent an affordable vehicle that will handle the chair and put everyone else on the bus. Drive Mom & chair to Orlando then turn around and drive back to Tampa to return the car and catch the bus. Personally the first suggestion looks best to me...who did you get the van from?

PS. I'd first try and figure out the drop charge issue myself by using websites like Orbitz first then the major carriers sites. Sometimes the information you get from the agents by phone or the agents by walk up vary.

 

[mapa2smjn]

Well we get this.....we managed to rebook flights into Tampa instead for about the same rate via Delta, then 2 weeks ago Delta calls us that the flights we booked were cancelled and we would have to rebook, so we re book...then they call again that we need to change our return flight because the connection was cancelled!!!
We now have to pay for an extra night in the tampa airport Marriot(2 rooms) because they could not get us out on the 10th!
Sheesh!
Now we have 2 more weeks to keep our fingers crossed that this holds
K

 

[mjh8955]

We used a major credit card to pay for custom bathroom cabinets. The company went out of business before we got our stuff delivered. The credit card company refunded the entire amount because it was "goods and services that were not delivered". Sounds like the same thing would apply regarding your tickets.

 

[lifeasahampster]

If you rent from National, they have very good rates espically with the Contract ID:6600330. It saved me over $300 for 8 days. I imagine that it would save you some $ too. Also, check all the airlines, Song, Spirit, SW, Jet Blue. These are not ones that come up on Orbitz or Travelocity. Make sure to look at all airlines. Don't worry, I am sure things will work out! Sending you some pixie dust!

 

[kg66]

I scanned this post over quickly, but didn't see when you are flying out and from where. Spirit has some good sales on and so does southwest. Are these airlines available near you? Good luck!