Stupid, stupid airlines

[thinkerbell]

I have a question. My daughter and her husband are going to Disney the middle of February. They bought airline tickets, set up for Disney to pick them up at the airport, got hotel, tickets, dinner reservations, the whole 9 yards. They are so excited because they haven't been in at least 7-8 years. Well... yesterday they get an e-mail from Allegiant saying that they will stop service to Orlando from our airport as of Feb. 1 and that they have been rerouted into Sanford. They can't do this!!! Disney won't pick up there. They planned their flights to fit their schedule. They called Allegiant last night and they told them that they hadn't set up what the options were going to be yet and that someone would be contacting them. They had the tickets already!! And, they did it through the schedule on Allegiant's website. What is Allegiant required to do? It just breaks my heart for them because they were so excited. They also have two other couples going with them. One of the other couples also had the same air flight. Anyone in the airline business know what Allegiant will have to do? I told her to push for them to get her on another airline that WILL go into Orlando with similar flight times but I'm not even sure that is possible. They can't drive because it would take a day there and a day back and their work schedule just won't let them do that.
Thanks!!

 

[Kimberle]

They should ge their money back for these tickets and book on another airline. This isn't the first story I've heard like this.

 

[NHdisneylover]

You might check over on the transporation board to see if there is already a thread going and if not start one there--those people really know what they are talking about.

It must be very frustrating for your daughter right now I am pretty sure though that they cannot demand to be placed on another airline. They can (I think) demand their money back--then they have to see if they can find another flight for a similar price.

We had something similar happen when we had fully paid for a cruise, airfare (non refundable) was bought, hotels for prior to sailing reserved (and past the deposit refund point) and the cruise line went out of business with no warning two weeks before our trip. We got our money back via the credit card we had paid for the cruise on and called another line had had sailed before and asked to be put on the waitlist for their sold out cruise (it was Christmas week). That was Disney Cruise Line and they have my undying gratitude for pulling some sorts of strings somewhere--a manager called us back that afternoon and got us onto the ship AND matched the price we had paid for the other line (we were expecting to have to pay at least double).

Point of the above story? Some polite begging of other airlines who are (I am sure) aware of the situation might help.

 

[tammymacb]

Sanford Airport is less than an hour from WDW. I'd bet they have a pay shuttle.

Airlines can ( and do ) change flights everyday. The best they can hope for is a refund. I had Air Jamaica cancel my flight to Bonaire ( a caribbean island that's VERY hard to get to ) the day after I booked, and paid my credit card off at the same time, so my cash to pay for the tickets was gone. I got a refund. Over 6 months later.

http://taxi-mco.com/Pages/Orlando Sandford Airport.htm

 

[mhsjax]

I know that a lot of the European flights land in Sanford, it is cheaper for them, (hubby is an air traffic controller and works this area). Because of this I bet that there is some type of transportation to Disney, maybe Mears or something. They have to get to WDW somehow.

 

[golfgal]

This is why I never buy my plane tickets that far in advance--that and they cost twice as much.

 

[crashbb]

I've had that happen to me (an airline stopped servicing my route). However, they were part of a large alliance, so I could just shift over to a code-share on a partner airline. Actually, I just moved my flight since they stopped servicing my route the day before my scheduled flight (so I just moved it by a day).

Since Allegiant is not part of an alliance, I doubt that they will transfer her flight to another airline. All that they are required to do is provide a refund. Actually if you read the Contract of Carriage they may not even be required to do this (MCO and Sandford may be linked together as "Orlando airports"). However, I suspect that they will. The issue is that they then need to find new flights on another airline which may be more expensive than the original tickets (and your family will have to pay the difference). You can try NH's plan of asking another airline if they could price match (or give some sort of discount), but I wouldn't count on it.

Once you look at the prices, you might find that it is cheaper to go into Sandford and pay for a shuttle or one-way rental car.

 

[rie'smom]

Sanford is not that far from Disney World. I can understand their frustration and aggravation though. I used the Magic Kingdom to estimate taxi fare on the Mear's site since I don't know where they're staying. It would be $108.00. Your daughter and their friends could request a taxi van and split the cost 3 ways. It isn't free but they should check to see what the difference in air fare is. It might make sense to just keep their flights.
Mears also offers shared rides which might be cheaper. This is the number to call for shared rides-(407) 423-5566.

 

[HeatherC]

They should just rent a car and drop it off at Disney. That way they don't have to rely on the airline or shuttle service. Shouldn't be a lot since it would only be a couple hours rental time.

 

[Minnesota!]

They should just rent a car and drop it off at Disney. That way they don't have to rely on the airline or shuttle service. Shouldn't be a lot since it would only be a couple hours rental time.

Split the cost with the other couple and you are looking at maybe $25/couple??

Not a big deal.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I am not familiar with Sanford. If it is as close as everyone is saying (I was thinking it must be 4-5 hours away or something) I agree with others that the best thing to do would be either rent a car or use a shuttle or private car tour. It is really going to just be a minor annoyance but not any sort of catastrophe. Call Disney and explain the circumstances and try to get the dinner reservation moved back an hour or so.

 

[Bren's Mom]

If Allegiant won't refund, you can always ask Allegiant to pay for the Mears shuttle or a taxi cab. Just be sure that they document FULL names/dates/times for anyone they speak to. If they're told to submit something after for reimbursement they'll want to have this in case there's an issue.

 

[Jennasis]

Frustrating? For sure.

End of the world? Nope.

Ask Alegiant for a full refund an book a flight with an airline who does fly to Orlando. Oooorrrrrr....

Get a taxi from Sanford to WDW.

 

[TriMom]

I have flown into Sanford a couple of times. It's really not much more of an ordeal than flying into MCO. I would suggest that your DD ask for Allegiant to provide a rental car to make up for the change in scheduling. They of course don't have to, but asking nicely can't hurt and I think it would be a reasonable accommodation to make sure their customers are happy.

 

[RadioNate]

I used to live very close to the Sanford Airport. It is 45 minutes from WDW down 417. It is an easy drive and there are tons of options. Before we moved to Orlando my DH picked up a one day rental from Sanford and dropped it at MCO the next day for $18.

Allegiant should probably be "nice" and refund the tickets if you are really insistent but considering that Sanford Airport is 33 miles from the Orlando airport I don't see this being a HUGE deal.

Yes the Magical Express is a bummer so I'd ask Allegiant to cover the transportation to WDW costs but I don't think they HAVE to do anything.

 

[thinkerbell]

I do realize that in the whole scheme of life that this is not a huge deal but to someone who has saved up, planned and budgeted a certain amount, it is a pretty big deal right now. Getting their money back and booking with someone else isn't really an option. The cost would be at least 3 times what they paid for their original tickets. I will definitely suggest looking into the shuttle and dividing the amount with the others. That $18 car...when was that? We rent cars often and my husband really does his research and we have never gotten a car that cheap...although I will definitely tell them to look, cause you never know.

Thanks everyone for your advice. It definitely will give them some options to think about!

 

[DawnCt1]

I do realize that in the whole scheme of life that this is not a huge deal but to someone who has saved up, planned and budgeted a certain amount, it is a pretty big deal right now. Getting their money back and booking with someone else isn't really an option. The cost would be at least 3 times what they paid for their original tickets. I will definitely suggest looking into the shuttle and dividing the amount with the others. That $18 car...when was that? We rent cars often and my husband really does his research and we have never gotten a car that cheap...although I will definitely tell them to look, cause you never know.

Thanks everyone for your advice. It definitely will give them some options to think about!

Here's a shuttle list. http://www.orlandosanfordairport.com/taxi_limo_shuttle.asp

 

[kymmyk13]

I don't know if Southwest flies out of your airport but they are running a really good sale right now to Orlando. But it ends like today or tomorrow. They may want to check it out. For us it is $60 each way.

 

[quentina]

I have a question. My daughter and her husband are going to Disney the middle of February. They bought airline tickets, set up for Disney to pick them up at the airport, got hotel, tickets, dinner reservations, the whole 9 yards. They are so excited because they haven't been in at least 7-8 years. Well... yesterday they get an e-mail from Allegiant saying that they will stop service to Orlando from our airport as of Feb. 1 and that they have been rerouted into Sanford. They can't do this!!! Disney won't pick up there. They planned their flights to fit their schedule. They called Allegiant last night and they told them that they hadn't set up what the options were going to be yet and that someone would be contacting them. They had the tickets already!! And, they did it through the schedule on Allegiant's website. What is Allegiant required to do? It just breaks my heart for them because they were so excited. They also have two other couples going with them. One of the other couples also had the same air flight. Anyone in the airline business know what Allegiant will have to do? I told her to push for them to get her on another airline that WILL go into Orlando with similar flight times but I'm not even sure that is possible. They can't drive because it would take a day there and a day back and their work schedule just won't let them do that.
Thanks!!

They will get a refund and book a flight on another airline. They will refund the fair that was charged.

 

[crz4mm2]

They should ge their money back for these tickets and book on another airline. This isn't the first story I've heard like this.

Happened to us 2 years ago. Bought tickets direct to Miami.... They quit flying there... So we had to "accept" another airport, OR get our money back. WE took the refund, and spent TWICE as much on other tickets.... Sigh. It happens