Trash Can Air issue

[vanillarum]

Long story short. We booked airfare for our family a couple of months ago. We booked with Air Tran since they were much cheaper than anyone else. Yes, I read all the negative reports about them. But every once in a while there was a good report, so we booked it. Trip is Dec 3-10. Booked it thru Expedia. Well over a month ago we get an e-mail from Expedia saying to contact them ASAP as there have been changes to our flight. Called them. Changes were not doable for us (no more non stop, 5 hour layover to name a couple). So we cancelled flights. Expedia agent called Trash Can Air and Trash Can said that since they had changed the flight we would get a full refund. Hasn't happened yet !! We paid thru our Discover card, but as of yet, TCA has refused to refund the $. Obviously we filed a report with Discover, but so far, nothing. I guess I just wanted to advise people when thinking of booking with TCA. DON"T. Pay the xtra and fly with someone, anyone, else. Have a nice day.

 

[plutolovr]

This is why you don't use sites like Expedia. For all you know Expedia could've dropped the ball. I've canceled flights through AT and the refund was always promptly done. There is never a reason not to go directly through the airline's own website to book your air.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree the issue could be Expedia. When my mom died, we had tickets for an upcoming trip on AirTran. I called them and offered to send a copy of her death certificate, they refunded her ticket just on my word. They would not refund my ticket but I had insurance so I used that.

 

[vacationclub]

Long story short. We booked airfare for our family a couple of months ago. We booked with Air Tran since they were much cheaper than anyone else. Yes, I read all the negative reports about them. But every once in a while there was a good report, so we booked it. Trip is Dec 3-10. Booked it thru Expedia. Well over a month ago we get an e-mail from Expedia saying to contact them ASAP as there have been changes to our flight. Called them. Changes were not doable for us (no more non stop, 5 hour layover to name a couple). So we cancelled flights. Expedia agent called Trash Can Air and Trash Can said that since they had changed the flight we would get a full refund. Hasn't happened yet !! We paid thru our Discover card, but as of yet, TCA has refused to refund the $. Obviously we filed a report with Discover, but so far, nothing. I guess I just wanted to advise people when thinking of booking with TCA. DON"T. Pay the xtra and fly with someone, anyone, else. Have a nice day.

Did you go on the Airtran web site to check their schedule, and not through Expedia? Perhaps see what Airtran is offering compared to what Expedia says. Even call Airtran and talk to someone....see what they suggest.

 

[momto2inKC]

This is why you don't use sites like Expedia. For all you know Expedia could've dropped the ball. I've canceled flights through AT and the refund was always promptly done. There is never a reason not to go directly through the airline's own website to book your air.

I agree...we have flown Airtran many times and they are SO easy to work with. I always hear of bad experiences though when people book with travel sites like Expedia. Always book direct when it comes to airline tickets.

 

[Sea Creature Turner]

Long story short. We booked airfare for our family a couple of months ago. We booked with Air Tran since they were much cheaper than anyone else. Yes, I read all the negative reports about them. But every once in a while there was a good report, so we booked it. Trip is Dec 3-10. Booked it thru Expedia. Well over a month ago we get an e-mail from Expedia saying to contact them ASAP as there have been changes to our flight. Called them. Changes were not doable for us (no more non stop, 5 hour layover to name a couple). So we cancelled flights. Expedia agent called Trash Can Air and Trash Can said that since they had changed the flight we would get a full refund. Hasn't happened yet !! We paid thru our Discover card, but as of yet, TCA has refused to refund the $. Obviously we filed a report with Discover, but so far, nothing. I guess I just wanted to advise people when thinking of booking with TCA. DON"T. Pay the xtra and fly with someone, anyone, else. Have a nice day.

Actually, I've only ever had exemplary service when flying with AirTran Airways. And, in fact, survey respondents tend to agree with me.

I'm sorry that you're dissatisfied with your experience with AirTran, but I would never advise anyone not to fly with them.

 

[nordkin]

We have never had issues with Air Tran, but did with Expedia before I knew better than to book anything through a third party. I agree with the others in that it could be an Expedia issue and not Air Tran.

 

[pigletto]

I also had exceptional and prompt service when flying with Airtran! Their customer service was fabulous in my case.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have had nothing but good experiences with Air Tran (and as nicely as possible may I suggest not making up silly names to show your anger? It just makes you sound, well, silly.)

Almost every airline will make changes to their schedules right up to departure time, though most of the major changes stop about a month out. It is not just something Air Tran does. So flying another airline doesn't mean you will not have your non-stop flight vanish, or your 2 hour layover changed to a 5 hour layover.

Changes are a part of flying these days, which is why you will find most people advocate for booking your tickets straight form the airline, and not thru a site such as expedia. Much easier to handle the changes youself than have to go thru someone else.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Your problem is not Air Tran it's Expedia. Expedia has to get and process your refund. So they probably have your money and haven't given it to you.

You booked with an "online agency" and now you want "service" Hmm.....

And your cute slang gives me an idaa. Try being nicer with the agents when you call. Cute "names" won't go far.

 

[vanillarum]

I beg to differ. Our problem IS with Air Tran, not Expedia. The Expedia agent spoke with a rep of the airline while I was on the phone. Air Tran said they would refund the $, and Expedia gave me a confirmation # saying that the $ would be refunded. WE DID NOT PAY EXPEDIA. WE PAID AIR TRAN. Our cc company has said that Air Tran has NOT authorized the refund of the money. Expedia does not have the money, according to the cc company. I am happy for all you people that have had positive experiences with air tran. I read air trans reviews, and there are not a large number of positive reviews. We usually fly Jet Blue. I have 3 flights booked to Fla this winter, and Jet Blue has called to tell me that 2 of my flights have changed, by a total of 10 minutes each flight !! And these flights are for Jan and March. Air tran never called me to tell me that my flight was CANCELLED ! Like I said, I'm happy for you people that have had good experiences with at. I will never, ever book with them again. Have a great day.

 

[vanillarum]

And as a side to OrangeCountyCommuter. Nowhere did I say that I was rude to an agents. That was your assumption. Sorry, but you are wrong. I was polite and courteous, as I always am, to everyone I spoke with. My intention in writing this piece, was to make people aware of the issues with a/t. At no time did I say I was mad. I was just trying to make others aware so that they may not have to go thru the same hassle. Mad ? Hardly. And to all of you people jumping on the bash Expedia bandwagon - I have used Expedia for 25 years (maybe longer, at my age CRS is in full gear !), and never, repeat never, had a problem with them. Until I booked with a/t. OK, I'm done. Have a nice day. Thanx.

 

[momto2inKC]

How long ago did you cancel? You do realize sometimes it takes 1 to 2 billing cycles to see refunds on credit cards? That could be what's going on.

 

[maxiesmom]

And to all of you people jumping on the bash Expedia bandwagon - I have used Expedia for 25 years (maybe longer, at my age CRS is in full gear !), and never, repeat never, had a problem with them. Until I booked with a/t. OK, I'm done. Have a nice day. Thanx.

It is not a bash Expedia bandwagon. The fact is is that it is easier to handle changes on any airline if you make the reservation directly thru them, and not thru a 3rd party. Be it Expedia or Orbitz or whoever. Changes and refunds are easier and faster if you don't have to go thru a 3rd party. The fewer hands handling your money the better.

I also don't understand putting a post out there that is negative and harsh, and being upset when not everyone agrees with that attitude. I'm sorry you are having a bad experience, but it is not the norm, and can indeed happen with any airline when you book thru a 3rd party.

If you want people to share their experiences with you, and want honest feed-back the Transportation Board is a great place. If you want blind agreement with your point of view, not so much.

 

[vanillarum]

momto2inKC, we have been thru 2 billing cycles and are into our third. Maxiesmom, the only reason I posted the thread was to make people aware of the issues we were having with air tran. That's all. Thanx. Have a nice day.

 

[soxfan11901]

I have used Expedia for 25 years (maybe longer, at my age CRS is in full gear !)

Doubtful, since Expedia was founded in 1996.

 

[LWQuestie]

We booked with Air Tran since they were much cheaper than anyone else. <snip> Booked it thru Expedia.

I beg to differ. Our problem IS with Air Tran, not Expedia. The Expedia agent spoke with a rep of the airline while I was on the phone. Air Tran said they would refund the $, and Expedia gave me a confirmation # saying that the $ would be refunded. WE DID NOT PAY EXPEDIA. WE PAID AIR TRAN.

I haven't booked airfare through Expedia in a long time, but I have used that and other sites (Hotwire, Priceline, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc) to book hotels. I believe in all cases, the consumer pays the travel company, and the travel company pays the airline/hotel/car rental agency. I don't understand how a flight could be booked through Expedia, but paid directly to the Airline.

Since your purchase was through Expedia, they should be issuing the refund to you. Expedia would need to obtain a refund from AirTran. I don't think AirTran would be refunding you directly.

 

[vanillarum]

soxfan11901. Sorry, didn't think any1 would take that literally. I should have said - "i have used Expedia for a long time". Happy now ?!

 

[vacationclub]

I haven't booked airfare through Expedia in a long time, but I have used that and other sites (Hotwire, Priceline, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc) to book hotels. I believe in all cases, the consumer pays the travel company, and the travel company pays the airline/hotel/car rental agency. I don't understand how a flight could be booked through Expedia, but paid directly to the Airline.

Since your purchase was through Expedia, they should be issuing the refund to you. Expedia would need to obtain a refund from AirTran. I don't think AirTran would be refunding you directly.

Totally agree. I think Expedia is jerking the OP around, but since they booked AT via Expedia, their only recourse is to call Expedia.

To the OP, many people are reporting very positive experiences with AT, including myself. If you booked with AT and this was happening, I think you'd have a valid reason for this rant and thread, but since you didn't, I don't think you do.

AT rates as one of the highest rated airlines for customer service. Not sure what Expedia's ranking is. Expedia is in the middle holding up your refund. You did business with Expedia, not with AT. So, you are having issues with Expedia, not Airtran.

 

[Inkmahm]

We have never had issues with Air Tran, but did with Expedia before I knew better than to book anything through a third party. I agree with the others in that it could be an Expedia issue and not Air Tran.

Ditto.

I fly almost exclusively with Airtran, 5 or 6 round trips per year. I love Airtran service and will really miss it and the Business Class seats when Southworst finally takes over.