Vent - Independence Air

[YetanotherMouseFan]

Please bear with me, I need to vent!

Today, I received an e-mail from Independence Air telling me that my flight schedule had changed AGAIN! We started with a 7:00 am direct flight to MCO, then it changed to a 7:30 connecting flight, now its a 12:15 pm connector that doesn't arrive until 5:30 pm, and we have a PS at 6:00! The main reason I talked DH into flying, which he absolutely hates, is because we'd have an extra "free" day since we would get to Orlando at 8:40 am. Independence Air says they're sorry, but cost-cutting., etc., and since they clearly state fares are nonrefundable, there's nothing they can do. I am so mad I could spit nails!

Sorry, I had to get that out of my system. Guess it's time to crank up the violins, huh?

 

[Amberle3]

I'm a Canadian agent, and I'm not familiar with Independence Air, but I know that other airlines do have rules that they have to abide by. They've changed your departure time by a significant amount, and you should be able to have them either put you on another flight of theirs with no additional fee, or have them refund the fare and cancel the ticket. It doesn't really matter that the fare is nonrefundable, the fact is that the flight they sold you no longer exists.

 

[mking624]

I agree. Back in 2001, we flew ATA and we booked a certain flight (nonrefundable) but because of some issues with booking, they had to cancel our flight and change our time. BUT, because this was THEIR fault, they first asked us if putting us on a different flight was ok or offered us our fare back. We took the later flight as it was only an hour difference, but it was nice that they assumed responsibility (which was rightfully their own) and gave us an option. I really think you should press on about this because this is their doing...they are the ones "breaking the contract"...not you. So you should not be held liable for their own doing in this. I mean, what if you were going there for a business meeting? Or a family emergency? Know what I mean?

 

[debden]

Yetanothermousefan,Call the airline and let them know about your schedule change and the fact that you want to be put on an earlier flight! I'm sure if there is space on another flight they will accommodate you with no problem.
We had this happen with US Air and they said pick any flight that you want on that date and we'll change your reservation to that flight.
No problem....
So please call Independence Air and speak with a representative...
Debbie

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

I would call them again, and this time ask for a supervisor. I can't believe that they will not refund your money. I have had this happen to us twice and in both cases after telling them I didn't want the conecting flight instead of a nonstop they refunded my money. I always thought that this was something all airlines did.

 

[David in Manassas]

I'm kind of in the same boat. About a month ago a booked a flight on Independence that was to leave at 7 PM at night, getting in at 9:15. Well that flight was changed to an early morning flight which means my daughter would have to miss another day of school, which she can't. So we are going now leaving at 9 PM at night getting into Orlando at 1115. The problem with the knoxville flight is that all of the connecting flight are going through Washington Dulles I believe, so when they dropped a flight out of Dulles to Orlando, your connecting flights also got changed.

Check the flyi website and if they still have a direct flight, asked to be put on that for the same fare.

I will say I'm willing to give them a slight pass on this even if it does get us into Orlando and our hotel around midnight. I want to do anything I can to support these new airlines because they are they ones that are keeping the fares low in certain markets. If they fold, expect BIG price increases, more then what we have seen so far. The I flights from Dulles to Orlando are on brand new Airbus airplanes and from everything I have heard the I employees are bending over backwards to treat you great to win your business.

We are off to Orlando on Memorial day weekend!

David

 

[n2mm]

FlyI, like any other airlines, make changes to their routes. They recently did a change to my July trip. I was on a 3:00PM flight home to dulles, when I checked the day and schedule (out of the blue) I noticed my 3:00PM flight was gone. So I logged on and I was now coming home at 11:00AM (meaning I lost 1/2 day). I noticed there was a 6:00PM flight, so I called and told them that the 11:00AM would not work, and wanted to be switched to the 6:00PM flight. After checking with supervisor, I was switched and given a $20 credit, because the new flight was $10 cheaper than my old flight, and, since it was their change, they waived the $25 change flight fee. The only problem I had was that I was not notified, so now I check my May and July flights weekly for any changes. Maybe the OP can see whatelse is available and change to another flight. This same problem has also happened to me on United, Delta, and USAir, so this is not an Independence problem....I believe the airlines change routes a couple of times a year, so booking too far in advance can sometimes work against you. Good luck.

 

[PlutoPony]

I will say I'm willing to give them a slight pass on this even if it does get us into Orlando and our hotel around midnight. I want to do anything I can to support these new airlines because they are they ones that are keeping the fares low in certain markets. If they fold, expect BIG price increases, more then what we have seen so far. The I flights from Dulles to Orlando are on brand new Airbus airplanes and from everything I have heard the I employees are bending over backwards to treat you great to win your business.

AMEN!!!

Give them a call - if they change the flights by more than 2-3 hours (don't remember which it is) you can change the flights - assuming availability - or cancel. And yes, all airlines make schedule changes as business conditions change, equipment, etc.

Good luck!

 

[Lori-n-NY]

My Independence flight was also changed recently BUT I did get an email saying that there was a change and what changed is my departure from home. Now I leave 40 minutes earlier still connecting thru Dulles, and arriving in MCO at 10:24 AM.
I checked the website and the first half of my original flight is not listed anymore. The second leg of it was but with a time change. I called to make sure I had a seat assignment for the first part becasue that flgiht number is different and I was able to get row 4...very happy I hate being in the back...and row 4 is what I had on the other flight they canceled.

SO far things are good here...just counting down the days that are not moving fast enough.

Lori

 

[YetanotherMouseFan]

Yes, I did call them. Apparently, they have eliminated ALL their morning flights out of Knox. They are willing to give me a credit for future use, and waive the change fee, but I really wonder if they're going to be around by the time we could use it!

We're going to take the later flight, and just make the best of it. Luckily, I got a PS for later that evening: who'd have thunk it at this late date!

We lost a day at the beginning of our vacation, but gained an additional 6 hours at the end, so I guess it works out about even. Now, to convince DH we really can go to a park that last morning....

 

[cruiseonmagic]

Thought you might like to know--you can get a refund if you choose. They changed/canceled the flight. According to the contract of carriage, you have the choice of traveling at a different time, giving a travel credit, or refund. It's not their choice. Indep. air's contract of carriage sec. 27 and 28c. It's the same way with all airlines.


How do I know? Several years as a res. supervisor for UAL.

When are your dates of travel?