Stuck in Fort lauderdale

[grantclaire]

Hi all. Just got back from a trip to Fort Lauderdale that was extended for 3 days by Southwest cancelling our flight to Buffalo on Friday. Could only get back sooner back paying SW almost 1000.00 more and having several stops. They had given us a return flight today(Monday) at 5pm with a stop in Chicago arriving in Buffalo at 1145pm. I had to talk to a supervisor who gave in and put us on a nonstop flight today at 1110. We ended up staying at a nice Marriott on the beach in Hollywood beach, had great weather so there is worst places to be stranded. Kind of blew the budget though! first time I have ever had a flight cancelled.

 

[tgropp]

An extra three days...what a shame. I love Fort lauderdale..one of my favorite cities in the states. Fort Lauderdale Beach is amazing and the nightlife along the beach is so much fun. Glad that you did not suffer to much from that extended stay

 

[grantclaire]

Friday night I was cursing SW by Sat afternoon sitting by the pool I was thanking them. My main concern was getting a decent flight home.

 

[lililoo12]

they cancelled and you had to pay? did they at least pay for your hotel. I hate SW and never fly them

 

[grantclaire]

They said it was a weather problem not SW so all they had to do was get us home some time. I think the money comes from our fare type, I had the lowest fare type so to rebook at a higher fare I would have to pay the difference. not sure, I told I did not think it was fair. They would not budge! No hotel. Not a big problem in the end I was just not going to pay, would rather use the money on a nice hotel and make the best of it . Hollywood Beach was great.

 

[pigletto]

I guess for a weather problem they can do what they want but I am shocked they made you pay to get back earlier than Monday. I mean if they were ok to fly the next day and they cancelled your flight I thought they had to give you a pick of the first available flights

I suppose there are worse places to be stranded but I would be livid at the extra THOUSAND dollars

You may want to check if that is recoverable from your trip insurance policy or any trip coverage you have on the credit card you booked with.

 

[Sue M]

I'm surprised they tried to make you pay too. I know they won't give you hotel room if cancelation isn't due to mechanical failure. If you have travel insurance or paid for Fligjts with some credit cards that include insurance they may reimburse your hotel.

Glad you enjoyed Ft Lauderdale/Hollywood. We go lots due to my mom living there. Mostly go north of Hollywood to Ft Lauderdale/Pompano area but went once to Holluwood Beach, loved the boardwalk area with all the restaurants. Lots of Quebec residents go to Hollywood for winter. Heard more French spoken down there then at home, lol.

 

[jba2]

My flight to Buffalo on Friday, January 4 from Orlando was also cancelled due to high winds in Buffalo. I was able to return to Buffalo on the 5th though. I took a flight to Baltimore the evening of the 4th and the following morning flew into Buffalo.

 

[grantclaire]

That was the flight I asked to be put on! Was told because I would have to overnight in Baltimore it would be counted as 2 trips thus the extra costs. No big deal now, had a good time in Hollywood Beach.

 

[seashoreCM]

Hi all. Just got back from a trip to Fort Lauderdale that was extended for 3 days by Southwest cancelling our flight to Buffalo on Friday. Could only get back sooner back paying SW almost 1000.00 more and having several stops. They had given us a return flight today(Monday) at 5pm with a stop in Chicago arriving in Buffalo at 1145pm. I had to talk to a supervisor who gave in and put us on a nonstop flight today at 1110. We ended up staying at a nice Marriott on the beach in Hollywood beach, had great weather so there is worst places to be stranded. Kind of blew the budget though! first time I have ever had a flight cancelled.

Someone correct me if I am wrong; if the airline cancels your flight then they have to give you pick of the litter when you rebook.

So you would just choose alternate flights and ask for them. No extra charges should apply. (You would not be able to rebook flights that were already sold out but should be allowed to stand by ahead of others who were not similarly inconvenienced.)

In more official words the airline is still expected to use its best efforts to fly you to your destination sooner than just "sometime".

Unless it was plain that everything was sold out, I would write (using paper and snail mail) asking for compensation for the inordinate delay.

 

[minnie56]

AC cancelled our return flight from Orlando this past Tuesday evening, I called and told them I wanted then to return the next day on the 2:20 departure and was rebooked in 5 minutes, no issues no charges of course.

I hate southwest.its like a cattle flight...