Vanguard--NO tickets, NO money HELP!

[batgrr1]

We are supposed to fly out in 5 days for WDW on Vanguard. THey filed bankruptcy today, cancelled all flights, and won't refund any money. My husband was just laid off 2 weeks ago, and although everything else is already paid for, we just can't afford another $1500 for more airline tickets since no other airline will honor the Vanguard tickets. Any suggestions?? we booked our car/hotel on priceline so no refunds or changes...I'm totallyl bummed and dont know what to do. It's a full day's drive from where we live and we will lose 2 days if we have to drive.

 

[RAMWDWFAN]

batgrr1,

I am so sorry for what has happened to you and your family. I saw a news story that says you can file a claim at ch11@flyvanguard.com but I know that's not going to help you at this late date. Two airlines, National and Frontier, are helping people, but they are only giving a discount on their fares.

My family bought tickets to go to Las Vegas on Vanguard through Cheap Tickets. They are telling me to hold onto the tickets because Vanguard may begin operations on Thursday of this week. I don't put a whole lot of stock into that claim, so I bought tickets to go from Cleveland to Las Vegas on United Airlines.

I will be praying for you and your family. Prayerfully something will come through to help. Keep the faith.

 

[zurgswife]

Did you use a CC to pay for the tickets???? If so I would put a call into them immediately and see if there is anything they can do about a refund...

 

[Master Gracey]

I agree with zurgswife above. call your credit card company and ask them to cancel the transaction for the airline tickets. Then book your travel with someone else.

 

[RAMWDWFAN]

I just called my credit card company and they gave me instructions on how to file a request for a refund. Please call your credit card company ASAP to see what they can do for you.

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

Time for major problem solving. First: Hopefully you paid with a credit card. Like the other posts stated, your credit card company will handle this dispute. (We have Vanguard tickets, too and have already rebooked on Southwest.) You should receive a credit in 4-6 weeks.
With only 5 days until your trip, there may be no cheap fares unless Frontier or National flies from your city to Orlando, BUT you could try Hotwire or Priceline. (Directions on bidding on priceline are at www.biddingfortravel.com). Hotwire is easier. They will give you a price and once you accept you will be charged and then the airline and times for your selected days are revealed. It might be more inconvenient, but it has saved people hundreds of dollars when they have to fly on short notice.

Good Luck. I hope you figure out a way to get there.

 

[batgrr1]

Yes I called my credit card company who would "mail me the forms" which takes at least 60 days per the rep. Neither airline (Frontier or National) could help me, they are not honoring the tickets as the website infers, but they are offering the "best rates" they can which on National was $1,045 PER PERSON. And frontier doesn't even fly DFW to Orlando. I called every airline at DFW airport and none of them were less than $1,000 per person and had no pity on us whatsoever. Southwest was $300 per person and we would have to drive to Austin or Houston Texas because they dont fly to Orlando from Dallas Love Field. I've tried EVERYTHING. I even emailed the lawyer for Vanguard who told me that there would be no refunds without a court order and since they are filing CH. 11, he didn't expect a court order to be issued. I think we have decided to just drive it and lose those 2 days. 2 positive things though, we had LaNouba tickets for Sunday night, which we won't even be there yet, and Disney very graciously changed them to Thursday, which they NEVER do. Also, we had a rental car through priceline, and they canceled it for us minus a "processing fee." They never ever do that either unless you purchase their "trip insurance" and they did it for us. SO my faith in Mankind is not totally gone! But it's been a very very devastating day for me, losing almost $1,000. And that doesn't seem like much but when my husband was laid off because Winn Dixie closed down in Texas, even $10 became a lot of money. We were just thrilled that we had prepaid for our trip so we would still get to go, not so thrilling anymore. Hard to retain that excitement! ANyway, thanks for all your help I really appreciate it!

 

[bobcat]

I am so sorry to hear this. Hoping you will have a magical trip!

 

[zurgswife]

Good luck with your change of plans and I hope that you enjoy your trip...

 

[ghp918]

We were supposed to fly to Orlando from Rochester, NY on Sept 14, 2001. As you may recall, no flights were going anywhere on Spet 13th. We knew a refund was an option, so we packed up the car, filled up a cooler with fun foods and drove all night long taking turns (20 hours) to get to WDW, also through a tropical storm! It was kinda fun and definately memorable. Whatever you do, try to be positive. Just think of all the money you will save on a rental car. Since we were getting our money back from the flights we stayed at WDW an extra two nights. I called CRO on the way down there because I too was bumed about losing two days driving, after a long nap and a shower when arriving, we were ready to hit the parks. I am not trying to make light of your situation, just trying to help you feel better.
Prayers for you,
Gail

 

[chris1gill]

batgrr1, I'm so sorry I know you're feeling down, but do as ghp918 suggested, go buy some fun foods for the drive & just take it from here... I've never heard of Priceline cancelling a reservation without a HUGE war, so, maybe your luck is looking up.

How long ago did you buy your tickets? I've had good luck in the past getting credit card reversals for various reasons, so hopefully you will have the same luck...

Most importantly, HAVE A WONDERFUL TRIP!!!

 

[hentob]

Make the car ride fun--Make it part of the vacation. Be goofy, act silly! Feel lucky that you are with family and everyone is in good health. I know it will be hard, b/c I would be in a super bad mood if I were in your shoes right now. BUT! BUT! BUT! Remember--you are alive, you are healthy and you are going to DISNEY! Make the best of it--and please post a driving trip report for us to read----

Have fun!!

Toby

 

[CarolA]

To fly from Dallas to Orlando on SW do the following:

1. Buy a ticket from Dallas to Houston or Austin.
2. Buy a ticket from Houston/Austin to Orlando.

Now since these are two seperate tickets you will need to claim any luggage in Houston/Austin and recheck it so leave yourself time to get to baggage claim and back to the check in counter.

3. Write your congeressman and Senator and complain that you had to do this! The whole reason you have to do this is the Wright Amendement which protects DFW and allows it to charge higher fares!

 

[batgrr1]

Well, its a new day and I have somewhat resolved myself to the fact that we're driving. The money we get back from priceline is going to be used to get a rental car to drive from TX to FL so we aren't crammed in a truck. I am in better spirits today. We told our kids last night and thankfully, they weren't overwhelmingly disappointed. We are just abbreviating everything. 4 hours at Blizzard beach instead of all day, one character lunch instead of a character breakfast and Chef Mickeys, less time at Disney quest. No dinner shows this time. But, I'm almost ok with it. I still think this whole situatin stinks and that the goverment should step in to help the passengers stuck with useless tickets. Good luck, huh? Anyway thanks for all your words of encouragement, it reallly helps!

 

[Buzzrules]

just stepped up and said they will honor Vanguard tix where space is available. Might be worth a phone call, but you'll likely have to fly through their hub in Chicago (Midway, not O'Hare!).
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin...www/bw/amtr/amtr-footer.shtml&bgcolor=#FFFFFF

 

[DebbieB]

A coworker and his wife are going with their daughter to get her setup at Stanford in late August. They had tickets on Vanguard for $280 PIT/SFO with a connection in KC. Luckily they were able to get non-stops on USAir for $320. He had made the Vanguard reservations on Expedia and Expedia sent him a e-mail advising to make alternate arrangements. He put a dispute in with the credit card company for the Vanguard tickets.

 

[CWIPPERMAN]

I just posted some good info on this situation in this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=2157459

 

[Disney Debbie]

battgrl - I feel your pain! If any of you have seen any posts from me (this is my first on the transporation board! though) my signature originally had my Las Vegas trip as 9/12/02 - which is my ACTUAL anniversary - but we too had Vanguard tickets and we too are now SCREWED! I got an e-mail from Expedia the morning they filed and immediately called Amex who are sending me a form to open an "investigation". But I don't expect to see that money! We really didn't have the money to buy more tickets and driving is not an option - it was only a 4 day trip and that's got to be at least a two day drive if we only stopped to go to the bathroom and eat! I was so depressed I had to keep my door shut at work all day! Anyway - to give a happy ending - My wonderful, wonderful, wonderful parents told us to go ahead and rebook and they'd pay for the tickets. If we get our money back we'll repay them - if not it's their gift! And we got our new tickets on America West for the same price as our Vanguard so at least they aren't having to pay out the nose! They love to travel - and they know they've created a traveling fool of a daughter. My dad told my mom, "I know how you are about your trips - and she's just like you"!

So here's to Daddy's of all ages - I may be 41 years old but he's still my DADDY!!

I'm glad you're going anyway and know you'll have a great time - You can't let the losers get you down!

 

[DebbieB]

USAirways is now accepting the Vanguard tickets, subject to availability:

http://www.usairways.com/about/press/nw_02_0802.htm

The guy I work with is now kicking himself for rebooking on USAir earlier in the week, although there's a good chance he willn't have to pay the charge to Vanguard.

 

[batgrr1]

I have tried and tried to get ANY airline to accommodate me with reasonable fees without repaying for the tickets because I just dont have the money, the US Airways press release is misleading (even the reservations rep I just spoke to told me I needed to read between the lines) I was booked on a restrictive fare on Vanguard and if US Airways does not have any seats available with the same restrictions, then you must pay full price for fares. Also, you can't do it over the phone, it has to be done in person. I drove over an hour on Friday to go to the airport and was shot down. Very disappointing. However, we have resolved ourselves to driving, bought a tv/vcr for the rental car and the kids can hook up their nintendo 64 (WITH headphones) so I think the time will go by ok as far as the kids driving us absolutely insance. I'm kind of sold on the idea of driving now. IF I could ONLY find a travel bingo game!