Please lock!

[bigmama67]

Argh! I bought tickets in late December for our August trip. Now we've had to spend $4K on waterproofing our basement after the Nor'easter...and it is possible that I may be out of work as of the beginning of July, because we were just informed that the law firm I work for is splitting up (and I am last hired!)

I'm not that stressed about the work situation yet, because I may still be kept on...but DH and I came to the realization this week that it is not wise to forge ahead with the August trip, especially because we just came back from a week in Arizona and need to get our ducks in a row financially...I figured we could change the tickets and hold onto our theme park tickets for a future trip (February perhaps)?? I can also get our hotel deposits refunded with no trouble, etc...

SO tonight I called Continental, and got the unwelcome news that to EITHER change our tickets OR cancel them, it will cost us $150 per ticket! This brings a $912 trip to $1500...there is no way we can swing that, but if we don't, we're out the original fares! I got a number to call for "Customer Care" but I doubt they will tell me anything different. I'm trying to figure out if flight insurance will cover this (we did buy it), but I'm really stressed meanwhile...and sad...isn't it bad enough we can't go, without them trying to make a profit off our misfortune?

Hoping this will all work out somehow...

 

[Took]

Yes, airline fees are exorbitant nowadays. Unfortunately, Continental has one of the highest change fees in the industry. A few others (notably, Southwest) are more reasonable.

However, what's surprising is that you seem unprepared for this. This information is pretty clearly outlined in the terms and conditions on their website (I'm assuming you bought non-refundable fares).

 

[bigmama67]

Yeah, well, we've never had to cancel a trip before and while I know that there are fees you would think they would give us extenuating circumstances. Also I wasn't notified that my DD's ticket should have been at a reduced fare as she is under age 2.

I did rearrange our Arizona flights a few months before we went, because the fares came down (this was Delta) and they gave me vouchers for the flight difference and waived the change fee on my DD's ticket...that was really great of them.

Maybe I should just watch the fares and see if they come down some, but $229 per ticket is a great fare...$379, not so much.

Anyway...thanks for the understanding.

 

[LuvOrlando]

That's terrible news. Non refundable tickets are not flexible, the only time I was ever given flexibility was when I had to cancel last year due to an ear infection so they waived the fees to let me switch.

Since you already have the air & park tickets it might be cheaper for you to go ahead with your trip but downsize your hotel room and cut out the shows and all.

I hope things work out for you.

 

[Took]

Yeah, well, we've never had to cancel a trip before and while I know that there are fees you would think they would give us extenuating circumstances. Also I wasn't notified that my DD's ticket should have been at a reduced fare as she is under age 2.

I did rearrange our Arizona flights a few months before we went, because the fares came down (this was Delta) and they gave me vouchers for the flight difference and waived the change fee on my DD's ticket...that was really great of them.

Maybe I should just watch the fares and see if they come down some, but $229 per ticket is a great fare...$379, not so much.

Anyway...thanks for the understanding.

You're welcome. Enjoy the rant. sorry to have intruded.

 

[ElizK]

I'm an airline employee (AA ticket agent, not Continental, so they may be different). You said it'd be $150 to cancel... does that mean they will give you a voucher for the difference? They should take the $150.00 out of the amount you paid for the ticket. AA wouldn't do this... they will let you apply the ticket value on a later flight, less the $150.00 change fee.

 

[mcorbo]

It should cost you nothing to cancel, although you won't get a refund, you will have a year to reuse the value of that ticket with a $150 fee added on. You would just be putting off the change fee until a time where you might be in a better financial situation.

 

[bigmama67]

Thanks, Mike, I guess we will see if our pediatrician will mark the kids down with ear infections and then maybe our insurance would cover the change fees...if not, we will suck it up I guess...sigh...lesson learned about not buying too far ahead, I used to think this was the best way to get good fares, but these days it doesn't seem to be the case.

ARGH!

 

[msmayor]

Argh! I bought tickets in late December for our August trip. Now we've had to spend $4K on waterproofing our basement after the Nor'easter...and it is possible that I may be out of work as of the beginning of July, because we were just informed that the law firm I work for is splitting up (and I am last hired!)

I'm not that stressed about the work situation yet, because I may still be kept on...but DH and I came to the realization this week that it is not wise to forge ahead with the August trip, especially because we just came back from a week in Arizona and need to get our ducks in a row financially...I figured we could change the tickets and hold onto our theme park tickets for a future trip (February perhaps)?? I can also get our hotel deposits refunded with no trouble, etc...

SO tonight I called Continental, and got the unwelcome news that to EITHER change our tickets OR cancel them, it will cost us $150 per ticket! This brings a $912 trip to $1500...there is no way we can swing that, but if we don't, we're out the original fares! I got a number to call for "Customer Care" but I doubt they will tell me anything different. I'm trying to figure out if flight insurance will cover this (we did buy it), but I'm really stressed meanwhile...and sad...isn't it bad enough we can't go, without them trying to make a profit off our misfortune?

Hoping this will all work out somehow...

You're right...it is indeed a shame that you can't go. But I'm not sure why you think someone from "Customer Care" will tell you anything different. There are fares available for customers to purchase that don't have change fees, but they are significantly more expensive. Continential's perfectly valid position is that you chose the fare, not them...and therefore should be bound by the change fees you agreed to when you made the purchase.

 

[pyrxtc]

Thanks, Mike, I guess we will see if our pediatrician will mark the kids down with ear infections and then maybe our insurance would cover the change fees...if not, we will suck it up I guess...sigh...lesson learned about not buying too far ahead, I used to think this was the best way to get good fares, but these days it doesn't seem to be the case.

ARGH!

okay, so you are going to try to get your DR to lie for you so you will get your money back ???? I understand your dilemma but really ??!!!

Sometimes you just gotta suck up what life throws at you and you can't change. Your options are going, paying the change fee, or just not using the tickets you bought. Lying and scheming to get your money back should not be an option.

 

[ohiosam74]

You said your daughter is under 2, why did you even pay for a ticket for her in the first place? Children under 2 fly free! Yes, it has to be on someone's lap, but still, why pay for a flight when you don't need to!

 

[mjkacmom]

You said your daughter is under 2, why did you even pay for a ticket for her in the first place? Children under 2 fly free! Yes, it has to be on someone's lap, but still, why pay for a flight when you don't need to!

I have always bought a ticket for my under 2 kids. My kids have always been active, and therefore I've always brought a carseat for them. I've never heard of paying less for a seat for a child under 2 with discounted fares (which most are).

 

[jakenjess]

Is most of the trip paid for at this point? It sounds like you already have your park tickets, and obviously your airfare. You may be better off just taking the trip. Are you on the free dining or doing the DDP? You may be able to go budget on food and not spend money on souvenirs, etc., and keep your costs down. That's the way it is with nonrefundable airfare. I always say to the family, okay, I'm booking the airfare, once I do it's a done deal!!

I'm sorry this happened to you. Hope it all works out!

 

[Bren's Mom]

You said your daughter is under 2, why did you even pay for a ticket for her in the first place? Children under 2 fly free! Yes, it has to be on someone's lap, but still, why pay for a flight when you don't need to!

Why? Because it's safer, because the FAA strongly recommends it, because children are generally better behaved when they're in their own car seat installed on the plane. Plenty of compelling reasons for parents to purchase a child under 2 their own seat.

 

[HM]

I also think you should just do your trip, but cut back by staying in a less expensive hotel than you originally planned using the 15%-30% discount now being offered on room at WDW. You've already bought the two most expensive things (plane and park tickets), so only room food costs are left.

 

[bettymae1121]

You don't have to pay to more to cancel the tickets, they just take the $150 out of the value of your existing tickets and you then apply the balance to any new tickets you buy in the future (within one year).

I don't have kids but if/when I do I also plan on buying a seat for them when they are under two and doing a car seat. It's safer in the event of severe turbulance or an emergency landing. Both the FAA and the AAP recommend that children under two travel in car seats and not on someone's lap. Besides, it can't be comfortable having a little one on your lap for that long, I'd rather spend the money and be comfortable and make cuts in other areas.

 

[mousehouselover]

Visa free dining for Disney Visa was announced 4/29; hopefully it will be available for the general public, if you aren't a Visa holder. I agree, if the trip is already mostly paid for, look at downgrading a few options to bring you closer to what you've already invested.

Taking a trip at the end of summer may be a good thing even if you are still unemployed. It may be just what you need to refresh and recharge after looking for a job all summer.

 

[crashbb]

So, you bought non-refundable tickets which clearly stated that they had a change fee (and what the fees was).

The airlines give you a credit when the cost of the flight goes down AND waives the change fee for your daughter. Something many airlines won't do.

And you are still whinging about them??

And know you plan on lying to get out of the mistake entirely of your making.

 

[Pembo]

We had to cancel tix on Continental....they did NOT take the change fee out of the original fare...I had to pay it separately.

I vote to still go on your trip but downsize it. Maybe fly into MCO then drive to the beach for a week.

 

[bigmama67]

OK, I don't have time to read all the replies now because I am at my lunch hour which is nearly over, but I must say I am pretty surprised at the number of nasty replies, some of which are not even getting the facts straight...I said that Delta worked with us when their fares went down and I thought that was nice of them. It is Continental that is being unhelpful...

Also, I said I did NOT think Customer Care would work with us...I will try anyway but if you are going to say something mean, why bother to post?

Lastly, we bought a ticket for my DD because there is so much stuff to lug when you have a baby...car seat, stroller, etc...not that it's anyone's concern but we choose to do this.

Yeesh.

Hope y'all have a nice day and that if you are in the same position people are more kind to you.