Reasons why I should phone JetBlue to cancel a flight?

[DaniB]

I'm new to flying. Last year was my first flight. This September is only my second. So if you guys can help me, that would be great!

In December 2010 my husband & I each booked a one-way ticket from Buffalo to Orlando with JetBlue for May. Our May trip was then pushed to September.

For various reasons, we ended up purchasing round-trip tickets out of Toronto for our September trip.

For my $109 ticket I used a $65 JetBlue credit, and paid $45 on Visa.
For my husband's $109 ticket I used a $25 JetBlue credit and paid $85 on Visa.

I looked up the cancellation policy and it says:

For JetBlue Nonrefundable Fares, changes or cancellations may be made prior to scheduled departure for a fee of $100 per person plus any applicable difference in airfare. Any remaining balance will be placed in a JetBlue air-only credit and may be applied toward future travel for one year from date of issuance. If a nonrefundable reservation is not changed or cancelled prior to scheduled departure, all money associated with the reservation is forfeited.

Now I realize we are not going to get the $130 spent back. However, I was thinking I should phone JetBlue to cancel so the seats are available for someone else.

But... if they are going to charge a $100 fee per ticket... WHY should I? I can not see paying out $200 so someone is able to re-purchase the seats (at a higher price) if needed. I would just rather we be a no-show.

Unless you guys have better reasons?

Ohh, and I had thought of offering the tickets up (free) to anyone who wanted to pay the name change. But name changes are not allowed with JetBlue it turns out.

 

[DaniB]

No one has any information on this?

 

[tinka-belle]

The $100 per ticket cancel fee is taken from the ticket value, giving you a Jet Blue credit of $9 per ticket. You don't have to pay anything extra to cancel, it's deducted from what you already paid.

FYI, for tickets up to $99, the change/cancel fee is $50.

While names can't be changed on a ticket, your credit (small I admit) can be used by you to purchase a ticket in someone else's name. Southwest is in the process of changing this, Jet Blue so far still allows it. Credits are good for up to one year.

If you cancel Jet Blue can resell your seat, and just like all other airlines fares will probably be higher. Don't look at it as giving extra $$$ to the airline, but as freeing up the space for someone else to travel. Orlando seats are always in demand, sort of like hard to get ADRs.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

You'd have $18 in JetBlue credit available to you if you cancel before the flight departs. If you no-show, you get nothing.

So the question is: is it worth it to you to spite JetBlue for $18?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

However, I was thinking I should phone JetBlue to cancel so the seats are available for someone else.

But... if they are going to charge a $100 fee per ticket... WHY should I?

If you aren't going to fly JetBlue again and can't use the credit, then don't bother.

If you cancel Jet Blue can resell your seat, and just like all other airlines fares will probably be higher. Don't look at it as giving extra $$$ to the airline, but as freeing up the space for someone else to travel. Orlando seats are always in demand, sort of like hard to get ADRs.

Keep in mind all airlines overbook for this very reason and the OP's seats will very likely be sold/resold even if she doesn't cancel.

 

[Lewisc]

Keep in mind all airlines overbook for this very reason and the OP's seats will very likely be sold/resold even if she doesn't cancel.

Most airlines overbook. Jet Blue is one (of the few) that doesn't.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Most airlines overbook. Jet Blue is one (of the few) that doesn't.

Yeah, but if you don't check in they can give your seat to someone else which frees them to sell stuff later.

So person A is on the 2 PM flight but shows up early. OP doesn't show for her noon flight, person A gets on. That means JB has a FULL fare ticke to sell for 2 PM. (And it happens.. I bought two full fares this week, one just about 90 minutes before I got on the plane!)

 

[DaniB]

Don't look at it as giving extra $$$ to the airline, but as freeing up the space for someone else to travel. Orlando seats are always in demand, sort of like hard to get ADRs.

That's why I was thinking I should phone and cancel.

But maybe I misunderstood the way it works. So the way I'm reading the replies, JetBlue will not actually charge my credit card even more money if I gave them cancellation notice?

 

[DebbieB]

That's why I was thinking I should phone and cancel.

But maybe I misunderstood the way it works. So the way I'm reading the replies, JetBlue will not actually charge my credit card even more money if I gave them cancellation notice?

No, they will only charge if you want apply the remaining credit to a new ticket.