Spirit called and tried to bump us!

[Martha7]

My DH told me that Spirit called today and wanted us to change our flight out of Detroit on April 2, because they had oversold it. My DH told them that we had hotel ressies, etc., and assigned seats on our flight, and didn't want to change it. The agent told us to "get there early to make sure we didn't lose our seats." What's up with that? How early do we need to get there? I thought that two hours might be sufficient, but on the other thread about Northwest bumping people, someone suggested arriving three hours prior to take-off. We usually fly AA, but since we moved up here to the Ann Arbor area, they didn't have any direct flights to MCO. TIA!

 

[ducklite]

As long as you are checked in 90 minutes prior to boarding time with assigned seats, you should be fine. BUT--make sure teh equipment hasn't changed and you no longer have seat assignments, or you might be out of luck.

You might also find out what they're willing to do for you in advance, because if they are willing to give guaranteed first class seats (with assignments) and a pair of r/t tickets anywhere in the US for a future trip, it might be worth either taking a slightly earlier or later flight or making the trip to Detroit.

Anne

 

[Martha7]

Thanks, Anne! I'll look into the points you mentioned. And I love your new home! It makes me miss my Florida home in Weston, which looks very similar, but is lacking the view of EPCOT-just a Ficus-covered berm, I'm afraid...

 

[seashoreCM]

Don't fall for this trick.

If you refuse a flight change now, you (or more likely someone else if they checked in and volunteered earlier) will receive compensation for being bumped.

If you blindly accept the flight change the airline doesn't have to give you anything.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Martha7]

Thanks, Seashore. We've never had this happen before, so it kind of caught us off-guard. At this point, we'd just like to be able to stick with our original flight and be able to relax and not worry about any hassles at the airport. We booked these tickets a long time ago, and the flight times are all very convenient for us. (we don't have to get up at the crack of dawn for either the arrival or the departure.)
I appreciate the input!

 

[Brian Noble]

Martha7: I was suggesting arriving 3 hours early for those who *want* to be bumped. If you *don't* want to be bumped, you can either do online check-in from home before you leave DTW, or normal check in at 2 hours. Either should be fine.

I will note that, unlike NW, Spirit does ask for volunteers with some frequency. However, those of us who fly spirit do so because we are "frugal", and many frugal people will jump at the chance for a bump. If you want to go on that flight, you almost certainly will be able to.

 

[Martha7]

Oh, thanks, Brian! I'm new to the Ann Arbor area, and haven't had any experience with Spirit before. Since I've singlehandedly planned this trip, I don't want anything to go wrong. I'm enjoying the beautiful snow flurries today, but I think I need a break from these frigid temps! I may mow down anyone who gets between me and my seat on the plane!

 

[Brian Noble]

Welcome to the People's Republic of Ann Arbor. We like it here.

 

[Martha7]

Thanks! We're in love with it too! Today, I saw Canadian snow geese bathing in a pond, and ducks in another! If the spring is as beautiful as the summer was, we're going to enjoy it!