Victims of the Air Tran schedule change.

[lindsroc]

Grrrrr. Checked my flights online today, and although the time only changed by 20 min...the aircraft changed and our seats were no longer together and were in front of an exit row so no recline. So even though I already paid for seats.. I had to pay again to be able to get our seats next to eachother in a row other than the one in front of exit row. Our flights are still 2 1/2 months out... Im just hoping there are no more changes... we've already paid $47 in seats up to this point....for 2 people.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I have heard so many pf these type stories with Airtran. Luckily you are smart enough to check, because others found out their flight was canceled and were not notified until just before their trip
I hope your travel arrangements work out for you.
BY the way, cant you call them and ask about a credit or something regarding your seat change costing you more? I think that is awful!

 

[lindsroc]

I know, it doesnt seem right. I paid for seats...they changed the plane and now I have to pay again? Im going to call tomorrow.
Im just glad Im OCD about stuff like this, they never called or emailed to notify there was a schedule change. I think I will be checking daily from now until May.

 

[kaytieeldr]

They didn't call because your flight is so relatively far out. Any airline contacts the first affected passengers first; plus, as you noted, there will probably be other changes between now and your departure.

But no, you shouldn't have had to pay for seat selection again. Mind if I ask why you just didn't call in the first place, especially when the website wanted to charge you again for seat selection?

 

[Missytara]

They didn't call because your flight is so relatively far out. Any airline contacts the first affected passengers first; plus, as you noted, there will probably be other changes between now and your departure.

Airtran did change our flight number and never sent me an e-mail or called me.

I checked my confirmation, noted that the seat that I chose was still reserved, but the box where my seat number should have been had three question marks in it (???). I had no credit back from choosing my seat.

After a couple of hours, it began to bother me, so I called them. Nope, the seat I was confirmed to be in was not me and she didn't know why I didn't get a credit back nor did I have an assigned seat at all on the plane. Luckily there was a window seat a few aisles back and she assigned it to me. She then thank me profusely for finding the mistake. She stated that even when they just change a flight number (it went from Flight 490 to 491), they roll all the information into a new computer folder and it lost my seat assignment. Imagine if I not checked, had gone to the airport and found I had no seat assignment for my departure flight.

 

[seashoreCM]

Any airline contacts the first affected passengers first ...

It is still desirable for you to jump the gun and telephone and ask for new seat selections immediately, just in case the desired seats are not available closer to your flight date.

 

[keishashadow]

fyi, check up until the day prior to travel for flight changes w/AT, then again the day you travel

many view the constant shifting of flights times on AT as an opportunity vs a victim scenario. If there is a better flight you are interested in taking, i.e. more expensive NS or better times even a day or two prior or after original date of travel they will typically accommodate you.

IMO at least AT acknowledges any inconveniences and rarely hesitates to make it right, you just need to be flexible when selecting them moreso than other airlines.

fyi, you can log into your account and switch your own seats anytime up to flight time if available, same category or more expensive if you care to upgrade.

 

[lindsroc]

They didn't call because your flight is so relatively far out. Any airline contacts the first affected passengers first; plus, as you noted, there will probably be other changes between now and your departure.

But no, you shouldn't have had to pay for seat selection again. Mind if I ask why you just didn't call in the first place, especially when the website wanted to charge you again for seat selection?

I went online to look and it was going to charge, so i DID call the airline and they still stated they would have to charge for the seats. I want to sit together so Im going to pay, but I dont feel like I should have to when I already paid to sit together.

 

[nordkin]

This has happened to us twice and I never paid for the seat assignment a second time. I would call them again and attempt to talk to someone that knows what they are doing.

 

[lindsroc]

I ended up emailing them today as I have a splitting headache and dont feel like arguing over the phone. lol. The agent wrote back with a lengthy apology and advised she has issued a credit for us in the amount of $28. So, it all worked out in the end.