What are my options? AC changed the flight by a day

[MikeyNS]

Never been put in this situation. Purchased our direct Halifax - Orlando tickets back in April for a Friday direct flight with Air Canada.
Just checked online and they're no longer flying direct on Friday; our tickets now show that they've put us on a Thursday direct - Thursday return direct flight..

Do I have any options with changes like that? We booked direct due to the convenience, etc, and have our DVC reservations already made and now can't get that Thursday night (waitlist!).
Ugh.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I'd call them and see if they could put you on a different flight that day (even it if means a connection somewhere), or alternately on one of their codeshare partner airlines for a non-stop flight. I'd also tell them that your plans aren't flexible, so leaving on the Thursday doesn't work for you.

 

[crashbb]

Here are your options:

1) Stick with the flights that they've changed you to.

2) Find other flights that work for you, either on AC or a codeshare partner (United or US Airways are the ones to look at). Ask AC to switch you to these flights. You should not be charged a change fee or any additional fare charges. They can sometimes (but not always) switch you to a UA/US Airways flight that isn't a codeshare.

3) Cancel your ticket and get all your money back (i.e. not a flight credit and no fees). You are then free to purchase tickets on another airline. Note - do not do this until you know that you can get other flights that work (and are within your price range).

I looked for 10 April (a Friday) and see no direct flights on any airline from Halifax to Orlando. Westjet, Air Canada, United, and Continental all have connecting flight. If it were me (and I had to do a connecting flight), I'd do one that connected in the US (rather than in Canada) so that I could pre-clear US customs/immigration in Halifax, rather than having to do it at the connecting airport.

Note - charter airlines don't show up in my search, so there may be some with direct flights on Fridays.

ETA - I re-read the OP and realise that you booked last April. I originally read it that you had booked for next April. The flight availability may be different.

 

[MikeyNS]

Thanks for the info! I don't know if I'll wait to contact AC or not.. I've been monitoring the flight for some strange reason (just a feeling..) and the had moved it from a 3pm flight to a 630am direct flight and now to the Thursday.. maybe they haven't solidified their schedule. Last year AC flew direct Fri and Sun, which is why I booked so early. I wanted to make sure I was on that direct flight.
I wonder if I can move to Continental, since they'll be joining Star Alliance.. hmmmm..
The other wrench is that we booked 3 tickets. 2 through Avion and 1 through Aeroplan. Oh well, worst case scenario is we'll have a connection.

 

[northyvr]

AC did the same thing to us a few years ago (flight cancellation). We were flying direct from Vancouver to Miami and had a non refundable hotel reservation for the arrival evening. We ended up switching to their codeshare partner United and transferring via Denver. AC did it free of charge (as they should have) but what a pain.

Last year Alaska air changed our flight time for a direct flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles. They didn't even notify us. I've certainly learned to keep a close eye on your flights and prepare to be flexible if needed.

 

[crashbb]

The earlier you contact them, the more options you'll have.

If you are flying any time soon, you will not be able to switch to Continental. If you aren't flying for quite a while, you may be able to do so (though you won't be able to do it yet).

The Avion thing throws a wrench in the works, but I don't know how they deal with it.

 

[MikeyNS]

The earlier you contact them, the more options you'll have.

If you are flying any time soon, you will not be able to switch to Continental. If you aren't flying for quite a while, you may be able to do so (though you won't be able to do it yet).

The Avion thing throws a wrench in the works, but I don't know how they deal with it.

With Avion it's just like purchasing through a travel agent.. no biggie.
Thank goodness for obsessive planning, I guess.

 

[tinkershae]

What were your dates you were booked for? I have flights from Halifax-Orlando but its for the Thursday direct flights.

 

[MikeyNS]

What were your dates you were booked for? I have flights from Halifax-Orlando but its for the Thursday direct flights.

Was the 5th-12th, now I guess it'll be 4th-11th. Maybe. Haven't figured out if we should stay longer or not.