Ugh - Your Airline has changed your flight schedule...

[NedsTJ]

6 adults, 1 kid, 1 infant (on lap).
PHL to MCO via ATL. We got an email last night that our flight schedule was changed. I didn't think much of it...at first - typically it's a few minutes here or there. However....
It's now: PHL to MEM (Memphis) to ATL to MCO. With a 2 minute layover in MEM.

Time to call Orbitz and get this mess fixed, lol. No way are we going to attempt three separate flights with a 3 yo and a 4mo! (let alone the MIL's that are going with us!!)

Has anyone experienced this before? I'm assuming any change fees will be waved as they changed our flight to something impossible to meet.
<Rant off>

 

[Jestocost]

6 adults, 1 kid, 1 infant (on lap).
PHL to MCO via ATL. We got an email last night that our flight schedule was changed. I didn't think much of it...at first - typically it's a few minutes here or there. However....
It's now: PHL to MEM (Memphis) to ATL to MCO. With a 2 minute layover in MEM.

Time to call Orbitz and get this mess fixed, lol. No way are we going to attempt three separate flights with a 3 yo and a 4mo! (let alone the MIL's that are going with us!!)

Has anyone experienced this before? I'm assuming any change fees will be waved as they changed our flight to something impossible to meet.
<Rant off>

Under those circumstances you should be entitled to change to a more reasonable itinerary at no charge. A two-minute layover isn't even a legal connection.

Of course that assumes that there are any better options. Your best bet is to look at the flight schedules, determine what flight would work for you and ask to be switched to those specific flights.

Worst-case scenario is that you also should be able to get a full refund if they can't find acceptable flights. Unfortunately that would leave you to book alternative arrangements with another carrier at the current costs, but if that's the best option in the circumstances at least its something.

 

[Greysword]

It sounds like you are on Delta, so you have many options open to you.

First, take a look at DeltaPoint's blog post on using a Delta schedule change to your advantage:

http://boardingarea.com/deltapoints...ty-schedule-change-rule-with-delta-air-lines/

Rene is an expert, and the read is worth your time!

Next, there is a slight hitch. Since you used a travel agent (Orbitz), the airline will only deal with the agent and not you to update your schedule. First, find a better flight for you, regardless of price (maybe have two options available). Then, call Orbitz and tell them you would like to take advantage of delta's reschedule policy to get these flights, instead.

If you read Rene's post, you'll have the delta rules in front of you and be able to push back on the Orbitz agent if required.

This should be a real boon for you, but will be a bit tricky using Orbitz.

Good luck!

 

[NedsTJ]

Thanks for the info! I'll be sure to check that thread out.
UPDATE: Spoke with Orbitz and they rescheduled us to PHL -ATL - MCO, 11:45 - 4:30. Much better. She waived all fees (theirs and Deltas), which is what I expected.
From past experience I usually use Orbitz to find the flights but then book direct thru the airline. I had found if there's a problem day of travel, it's easier dealing with the airline directly. As the PP said, sometimes they can't do anything if it's thru an agent.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[njmom47]

Glad it worked out for you.
My last experience was booked with a third party (can't recall who at the moment), flying on Spirit. Spirit cancelled the morning flight and booked us on the evening flight (which wouldn't work as I can't see well at night and didn't want to drive in the dark) so I called Spirit directly and they put us on a daytime flight to a different airport (which was fine, I had to rent a car anyway so we just drove 2 hours instead of one) for no fees. It was funny though because the reservation was somehow connected to an address in another state and when I freaked out about that, the cust serv rep for Spirit told me that was the third party headquarter's address. I felt silly!!

Point was that we booked through third party, but I called the airline directly who took care of things for me.

 

[TinkTink78]

I actually just had Spirit change our flight times by 3 or 4 minutes and they allowed us to change our flights to another for no fee. Which worked well for us because I originally booked a 6:30pm flight and wished I had booked the am flight, so I was able to change with no fees!