what if the cost of the flight i book goes down between when i buy and when i fly?

[loriandmatt]

i thought i recalled that some of the carriers (Southwest or AirTran are sticking out in my mind for some reason) used to (and i am hoping still do) offer you a credit to your credit card if you notice that the flight you booked goes down in price between the time you book and the date of travel. it wasn't something automatic, but if you noticed it and contacted them they would credit you for the difference in price.

am i nuts (it has been said) or was there something like this, and does it still exist? if so, with what airlines?

 

[pooch]

will give you a credit if the price of your flight goes down (you do have to rebook to get it) but its a credit against future travel. They no longer put it back on your credit card.

 

[DonnaL]

Both Southwest and Airtran will give you a credit for a future trip within one year of the original BOOKING date NOT the date of travel.......a few years ago some people reported getting the credit back to their credit card, but, I haven't heard of that happening for the past few years. Personally, I have always taken the credit for a future trip........gives me the excuse to plan for something within the one year of my original booking date. I currently have $175 in credit from Airtran which I will use towards a trip in early Oct 2010. I don't believe most of the legacy carriers offer credits, but, I'm not sure since we haven't flown with any airline other than SWA or Airtran for a number of years now.

 

[dburg30]

The safe bet is to check the carriers website for information. That is what you have to go on.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

JetBlue does (or has in the past anyway). Unfortunately our April flights just keep going up, and up, and up....no chance of a credit this time around (so far anyway)!

 

[MickeyEars]

My Airtran flight has gone down in price since we booked will they give me credit if I call them? Thanks for any info!!

Carla

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

My Airtran flight has gone down in price since we booked will they give me credit if I call them? Thanks for any info!!

Carla

Not sure... but it certainly doesn't hurt to make a call to find out what their policy is !! Good Luck!!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

My SW flight went from $74 each way to $69 each way. I will give them a call today and see what they say. I'll post back later!

 

[n2mm]

Jetblue still offers a credit if you price drops. You do have to call and they will put it in your true blue account. It is good for a year from the day you receive the credit, which is nice. Unlike SW who will credit you, but it's tied to the day you purchase your ticket originally -- which is a much shorter use time. When you do call JB you need to make sure that they reassign your seats as it releases your seat assignments when they make the adjustment and credit your account. Most of the reps know this, but it helps to just double check. You can check your credits on your true blue account. The nice part with JB is if you get a credit for your entire traveling party, the total credit amount can be put into ONE person's true blue account making a larger credit amount to use instead of lots of little ones to combine (SW). I fly SW and JB alot (about 12+ times a year) and find both to offer things I like, but my favorite is still JB (RAC, still 1 free bag, assigned seating, Direct TV, longer timeframe to use credits). But no one beats SW's ability to change your flight dates and times with no penalty.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

I don't believe most of the legacy carriers offer credits, but, I'm not sure since we haven't flown with any airline other than SWA or Airtran for a number of years now.

Recently I was tracking my United flight via yapta.com. Per their website, they said that United will issue a credit if your flight went down.

My flight went down, so I decided, what the heck, I will try it.

Low and behold, no problems. A week after I called, I received a huge envelope in the mail with 5 old fashioned ticket booklets that had a credit voucher for each passenger for future travel.

I am in the process of booking our next flight, so I will attempt to apply these to my flight and see how it goes.

 

[crashbb]

Recently I was tracking my United flight via yapta.com. Per their website, they said that United will issue a credit if your flight went down.

My flight went down, so I decided, what the heck, I will try it.

Low and behold, no problems. A week after I called, I received a huge envelope in the mail with 5 old fashioned ticket booklets that had a credit voucher for each passenger for future travel.

I am in the process of booking our next flight, so I will attempt to apply these to my flight and see how it goes.

How long ago was that? I believe that UA used to offer credits, but has recently stopped (or, rather, added a change fee, which often makes it useless).

If we send out the Bat Signal, perhaps Bavaria can confirm.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

How long ago was that? I believe that UA used to offer credits, but has recently stopped (or, rather, added a change fee, which often makes it useless).

If we send out the Bat Signal, perhaps Bavaria can confirm.

This was about 6 months ago, so definitely, anything could change in that time

 

[jmkjr72]

if you book thru expedia you will get a refund from expedia if some on books the flight cheaper

 

[bavaria]

This was about 6 months ago, so definitely, anything could change in that time

Does Duds know that you are playing with his toy? He retired that thing and stored it in the garage behind his spare bowling balls, I believe. It no longer works (or at least it no longer signals as it once did)

And you are living in the past re credit - crashbb is correct - $150 change fee on most domestic flights to change fares. (Unless one purchased a refundable ticket)

 

[dudspizza]

Does Duds know that you are playing with his toy? He retired that thing and stored it in the garage behind his spare bowling balls, I believe. It no longer works (or at least it no longer signals as it once did)

Oh, it still works... I am a bit concerned that someone else is playing with my toy, though!!!!! What is this world coming to?

 

[bavaria]

Better they play with ....

Oh, never mind, that would be the definite end of the bavaria signal effectiveness!

Quite the 'interesting' debate on the Theme Park board about airline change fees and how the airlines are making a killing on the poor, unsuspecting passengers. A few of our own are putting up a good defense over there but prevailing DISwisdom still seems to be that US carriers are making a profit.