Periodically Re-Check Your Flights (Reminder)

[ZerasPride]

I checked this morning and our flights had changed. It's not a big deal but we are leaving out at 8:45 now instead of 7:30. On our return we are scheduled to leave MCO at 5:40 pm instead of 3:00. All six of us (thankfully) still have seats together but I was a bit surprised the flights we were on no longer exist and now when I go on USAir's website, the flights we are scheduled to be on are sold out. There were also lots of non-stops back in December when I booked our trip and now there are only a couple each way.

Just a heads up to check those flight times. You never know when they may change on you. Also, when I asked the agent if I would have been contacted she assured me I would have but you just never know. It's my flight and my vacation so I'm staying on top of it.

Have a great trip everyone!

 

[LdyFaile]

Which airline was that? I've never thought to check for that. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[maddhatir]

and when was someone going to call you to ask if you would like to keep that flight or change/cancel it!!??

i was booked for a flight in dec (forget the airline....sorry i cant remember yesterday! ) anyway-- they called me to let me know the time and fight number changed-- i said sorry- time is not good for me...and i canceled the flight without any penalties! had to rebook with airtran for a better time of the day. but they still advised me of the change.

 

[ZerasPride]

The airline we're flying is USair. The same thing happened a couple of years ago to us when we flew Continental, the only difference is that last time it happened they put us on a late flight in the afternoon when we were booked on a morning flight. I politely asked if we could be put on an earlier flight, they complied. This time we are on the earlier flight but I did notice that we have the only early direct flight.

I asked the agent specifically about receiving notification, I suppose they need our permission really, and she said that they did not have my email address and therefore could not contact me. Huh? I booked on line and had to provide a valid email address which they sent me my confirmation so they did have my email addy. I pointed that out and she said they didn't have it. Okay. Then when I pressed (politely) a bit further she said I would have been called eventually.

Like I said, it's my vacation and I'm going to be checking these flights closely as we're still several months out and anything can happen. I certain prefer the convenience (2 hour trip) of flying verus driving (16 hour trip) but there is a certain amount of anxiety in making sure everything is just right when you're flying. Anyway, I just wanted everyone to be aware that a periodic check on your flights couldn't hurt and might save you some surprises down the road.

 

[horseshowmom]

Just a heads up to check those flight times. You never know when they may change on you. Also, when I asked the agent if I would have been contacted she assured me I would have but you just never know.QUOTE]

Well, I can give you one example of "being contacted" by Northwest. We had an early morning flight (6:30 a.m.) out of Tupelo, MS to make a connection in Memphis to fly to Phoenix.

At approximately 9:30-10 p.m. the night before our flight, we were called and notified that our flight had been canceled, and we were being put on an afternoon flight (we HAD to be in Phoenix before the new flight was even scheduled to leave).

Fortunately, I was at home to take the call (it was automated by the way) and call them back. We were able to arrange to drive to Memphis and catch the flight there (as much as they didn't want us to ).

It was a fluke that I was at home to get the call, because I was supposed to be somewhere else that evening. We don't have an answering machine, and I wondered how an automated call would have handled an answering machine if we'd had one. If we'd gone to the Tupelo airport first, we wouldn't have had time to get to Memphis in time.

If you make your reservations very far in advance, there's a good chance your flight time will change. I've had it happen several times, so I always check (as ZerasPride recommended).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You should ALWAYS check your flights before travelling as flight times change all the time.

 

[bicker]

Airlines generally don't provide notification until a few weeks before the flight, since the schedules might change again in the meantime.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

The earlier you purchase your airline tickets, the greater chance there is of changes to the schedule and/or equipment. I don't worry about checking flights until about a week prior to the flight. Any more often will simply drive you to distraction.

 

[pamjb]

I had that happen with Delta in October. I just so happened to check my flights 2 weeks before we left. They had us connecting out of Atlanta, 2 hours before we were scheduled to get there. Hmmmm, anyone else see a problem with that?

 

[Esmerelda]

While vacationing in Disney about 5 years back...I called the night before @8pm from our onsite hotel. I confirmed with Delta that my 11:30am flight was still a go for the next morning. Arrived at the airport the next morning @9am with luggage and two young boys in tow....Delta informs me at the counter that OUR flight was cancelled....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

We have never flown Delta again....what a nightmare. So confirming doesn't mean anything to certain airlines. (I have never had this happen on any airline since...thank god this was not the norm)

Esmerelda

 

[maddhatir]

i would think some might be better off (if the price was right) booking with a smaller airline (ie spirit, usa3000, maybe airtran--if they are in your area) because most of the time they only have ONE flight there and ONE flight back, they usually run by that schedule. so your chances of change might be lower.

i know that is not easy for everyone-- with the bigger airlines you get more time choices and sometimes better prices, i personally would like to fly out, if possible before 7am and return later in the evening. i keep checking spirit (a little over 200.00 pp round trip) airtran and USA3000 (sept flights are not posted yet)

i might think about flying OUT with one of the smaller ones on an early flight and book a later flight BACK on another.

but i will be sure to keep a check on any time changes when i do book!

thanks for the tip.

 

[bicker]

i would think some might be better off (if the price was right) booking with a smaller airline (ie spirit, usa3000, maybe airtran--if they are in your area) because most of the time they only have ONE flight there and ONE flight back, they usually run by that schedule. so your chances of change might be lower.

The down-side is that if they have a mechanical problem, you could very-well be stuck until the next day. The smaller airlines mentioned don't have interline agreements.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Arrived at the airport the next morning @9am with luggage and two young boys in tow....Delta informs me at the counter that OUR flight was cancelled....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrr

There really was no need to no longer fly Delta. This happens with EVERY airline. This is why you should should ALWAYS check your flight status before leaving for the airport.