Upset with AirTran...what can I do?

[WeCantWait]

I had the same experience with Airtran and will never book with them again. It seems like bait and switch to me. I paid a higher fare to get a non stop and then months later was put on a layover and they didn't even let me know. By that time it was too late to book another airline because the fares were much higher. We also had problems with them at the airport. I have never dealt with such rude people in my life.

 

[NancyIL]

If your schedule would allow it - I would stay one day longer at WDW to get the flight with one connection. Yes, you will have to pay for one more day of food and lodging, but that's one more day at WDW.

 

[NancyIL]

Bait and Switch means something is advertised at a low price, but that item is unavailable when you attempt to buy it. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait_and_switch) AirTran (and all other airlines) tweak their schedules all the time. They don't offer non-stop flights and then cancel them just to get people to book.

 

[seashoreCM]

Were there any other flights in their own schedule that would have suited you better?

(referrring tot he American Airlines case above) If you order something and the vendor/merchant substitutes something inferior, then you should have the choice of getting a refund. In the case of an airline, if you see at the time of booking both a more expensive nonstop and a less expensive connecting flight, proving you got someting inferior is quite easy.

 

[Lewisc]

PP is correct. Technically this isn't bait and switch. Today SW has started accepting reservations from the middle of August through the end of October. SW doesn't extend their schedule until it's firm. Other airlines, including AirTran, books flights against a "projected" schedule. Although this isn't "bait and switch" it's not evident when you make the reservation that there will be schedule changes.

The OP asked for suggestions. Go to airtran's website and see if anything else works better for you. Are you renting a car? Can you get a better schedule into Tampa? You can call and ask to be accomodated on a specific flight. Check other airlines. You can ask airtran for a refund (assuming you didn't already accept the changes). Don't ask for a refund until you know you an acceptable flight with another carrier.