Trash Can Air issue

[NancyIL]

Calling the airline "Trash Can Air" made me unsympathetic to your plight from the get-go!

Unless a booking site like Expedia/Travelocity/Orbitz has a lower fare than booking directly with the airline - I always book with the airline. When AirTran changes their flight schedule to my disadvantage, I've had no problem getting them to change my flight to one that works better for me - even on a different day. Unfortunately, when you book through a 3rd party like Expedia - THEY are your travel agent, and any changes (including refunds) have to go through them.

**You complained that Air Tran didn't call you about schedule changes as Jet Blue has. Did you book Jet Blue flights directly or through Expedia? AirTran e-mails customers when there are schedule changes. Since you booked with Expedia - THEY should've notified you about the changes.

***Rereading your original post, Expedia DID notify you about the schedule change.

 

[maxiesmom]

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

Maybe I should have added to my post that the Transportation Board is a great place when you want to know the facts. Hyperbole and exaggeration isn't helpful when it comes to figuring out your transportation options. We here tend to be a give us the facts please group.

 

[Chelley00]

We canceled a flight with Airtran due to a schedule change and they refunded our money within 2 weeks. I'm sorry that you are having a hard time. It could be a miscommunication between Expedia and Airtran.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We booked airfare for our family a couple of months ago.

Well over a month ago we get an e-mail from Expedia

Obviously we filed a report with Discover, but so far, nothing.

momto2inKC, we have been thru 2 billing cycles and are into our third.

Yeah, AirTran's only nonstop outbound is at 6 PM, and the only nonstop return flight is sold out (for the OP's dates) .

But the timeline here seems off . The tickets were purchased a couple of months ago; the flights were cancelled sometime over a month ago from today - but the OP is now in their third billing cycle from the cancellation date? Discover's billing cycles would have to be fifteen days long for that to be accurate.

When the OP says 'nothing' in result to the Discover dispute, does that mean no response from them, or no refund yet? Dates would be really helpful here...

 

[gbanshee]

You booked air tran through a travel agent (expedia is a travel agency). Airtran then is not supposed to contact you, they have to contact your agent. Schedule changes and such get sent to your representative (expedia), and it is up to them to contact you.

When the charge was applied to your credit card WHO was listed as the merchant? Expedia or Airtran?

 

[DebbieB]

I have to book my work travel through American Express Travel. It always shows up on my credit card statement as the airline, not AMEX Travel. But if I cancel, I have to go through AMEX. Never got a credit back to my card, I've always used it for another ticket.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is different, Debbie. AirTran will issue a refund if their schedule change and alternatives don't work for the passenger - even on an otherwise nonrefundable ticket.

But because they're so accommodating, it would seem the delay is with Expedia and not AirTran here.

 

[dioxide45]

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.

Once again, you fail to consider that your issues are with Expedia and not AirTran. AirTran didn't take your money, Expedia did. How can AirTran give you back what they did not take?

 

[maxiesmom]

I am now curious as to how they purchased the tickets a couple of months ago, but have somehow gone thru 2 billing cycles with their credit card. Something is very off.

 

[Port Orleans fan]

This is why people should deal with a travel agent, and I'm not talking about a travel corporations like AAA (CAA) or Sears Travel. I'm talking about your local neighborhood travel agent who has been in business for 15 or 20+ years. These are the travel agents who will fight for you whenever something like this happens.

I love my travel agent. I would NEVER plan a vacation without going to her first.


BTW just in case some of you who don't know, a travel agent pays an insurance company (without any cost to you) to protect their customers. For instance, if let's say airlines XYZ should go bankrupt after I buy airline tickets with them (though my travel agent of course), well I am completely refunded the airline fare with no questions asked....A good travel agent can provide you with protection that you can't get on your own.


I hope this info helps.


CHEERS!

 

[Hoopfamily]

NEVER use expedia, travelocity, or any other travel site to book airfare, unless you want to abide by their rules. I have used Airtran many times, and yes they always change their flight times. However I have been offered a full refund due to them doing that, I usually opt for an upgraded flight. I'll give you an example. I booked a 1 stop flight into Tampa because it was $90.00 pp, flight left Logan @ 2pm, had a layover got to Tampa @ 11pm. They changed my flight time by 3 minutes and I called, they changed us to a DIRECT flight into MCO leaving Logan @ 8am we were in Magic Kingdom by 1pm. Airtran has never been anything but reasonable, your problem is with Expedia.

 

[vacationclub]

I am now curious as to how they purchased the tickets a couple of months ago, but have somehow gone thru 2 billing cycles with their credit card. Something is very off.

Well, the OP at one point said..."Sorry, didn't think any1 would take that literally. I should have said - "i have used Expedia for a long time". Happy now ?! in response to the statement about using Expedia for 25 years or more.

So, I'm wondering if there isn't something else in this story that also shouldn't be taken literally.

 

[kaytieeldr]

NEVER use expedia, travelocity, or any other travel site to book airfare, unless you want to abide by their rules.

However, it's okay to use Kayak.com - because you're not buying anything from them. It's a travel search engine, not a travel agency. Once you find a price you like, you click through to the provider site and buy directly from (ideally) the airline and not a middleman.

 

[NancyIL]

However, it's okay to use Kayak.com - because you're not buying anything from them. It's a travel search engine, not a travel agency. Once you find a price you like, you click through to the provider site and buy directly from (ideally) the airline and not a middleman.

I've been checking multi-city international routings on Kayak. The lowest fares when flying multiple airlines are usually from 3rd parties like Orbitz.

 

[tkldisney]

We always fly Airtran to WDW and oter locations as well. Service has always been great!!! I always book flights directly with airline because of what you are experiencing. Agree with all here, the problem is Expedia not Airtran!!

I know you can save a little by booking airline/hotel together but to me it's worth the extra to have control of my flight reservation.