Flight Changes

[murphysrule]

I had booked a non-stop flight on Delta in June in November - I just recieved a notice from Delta that the non-stop has been cancelled and we are now booked with one stop in Atlanta - there is an additional 3 hours travel time including arrival and hour later than originally anticipated (which is one hour less in Playa). Needless to say I am bummed....

Always one to try to capitalize when possible, any suggestions on how to get something from the airline for the inconvienience, seat upgrades, more miles, etc. Advice from the frequent flyers would be appreciated.

[MartyC]

This is just the way it is when you book so far in advance. It happens to us a lot, flight changes are a bummer but as long as you have enough time to make your connections, no problemo. At least you are on your way to Mexico and a relaxing vacation.

[January Guy]

A respectful but well articulated letter politely requesting a few extra frequent flyer miles as compensation for the stress it puts on your schedule may work. I have successfully done that before with a somewhat different inconvenience.

[himynameisjan]

Oddly, we got switched the other way around! We started with one stop flights, then Delta cancelled those flights, put us on non stops, and refunded a bit of money to both of us. I should have bought lottery tickets that day!

[Shammy]

You're at the mercy of the airlines, and they are not required to compensate you for flight changes. It's in their contract of carriage. You can ask for whatever you want but the reality is, that rarely happens. However, if you don't like or agree with the schedule change, you can decline them and ask for your money to be refunded so you can book another carrier.

[ProfessorPibil]

If you have a better alternative, call them and ask to cancel. If they refurse, ask your credit card company to cancel the charges. The airline will come back and claim they owe you nothing, you will then reply that the airline advertised fast direct flights and is pulling a fast one on you. At this point the airline's legal dept will determine it's getting too expensive and will drop it.

[FrozenNorth]

The same thing just happened to us, but we called out booking agent SellOffVacations, she called Delta and now everything seems to be the way it was, we fly from Regina, Sask. (Canada) to Minneapolis and then to Cancun. The Atlanta stop was added a day ago, got on the phone and wanted to cancel but got a call later on today with good news, we were back to the original flight plan, I remember this happened last time we flew with NW (now Delta) We are off to Cancun in February for two weeks and the last thing I want is to be stuck in another airport for 3 hours. Its cold enough were I'm from and I need the sun.

[DarMI]

Yes, flight changes happen all the time. Delta is still working on merging with Northwest so there have been alot. Anytime there is a schedule change, be sure to check with the airline to see if there are any better options. The computers automatically rebook the itineraries and they are not always the best way to go.

[Maverick69]

How come you didn't fly Westjet ? THats the way we are going this time. Non-stop . Domestic flight , not a charter .

[FrozenNorth]

Didn't even see any flights with WestJet, how much was the flight if you don't mind me asking

[lolabella]

Originally Posted by Shammy

You're at the mercy of the airlines, and they are not required to compensate you for flight changes. It's in their contract of carriage. You can ask for whatever you want but the reality is, that rarely happens. However, if you don't like or agree with the schedule change, you can decline them and ask for your money to be refunded so you can book another carrier.

OH! I didn't know this was an option! I thought you were just 'stuck' with the change! Thanks, Shammy!!

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Maverick69

How come you didn't fly Westjet ? THats the way we are going this time. Non-stop . Domestic flight , not a charter .

I went onto the WestJet Vacations site and it says regular service from Sasaktoon direct to Cancun does not start until either late Nov or early December. It also says to book air only on one of the vacation charter flights you have to call them.

So are you are on West Jet year round, regular direct flight from Regina? I can't find that anywhere. (And if they have that from Regina why not here?? grrr )
If so, how much total each?

[MartyC]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I went onto the WestJet Vacations site and it says regular service from Sasaktoon direct to Cancun does not start until either late Nov or early December. It also says to book air only on one of the vacation charter flights you have to call them.

So are you are on West Jet year round, regular direct flight from Regina? I can't find that anywhere. (And if they have that from Regina why not here?? grrr )
If so, how much total each?

I get the same Riss. And I can only get packages, no airfare only.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by MartyC

I get the same Riss. And I can only get packages, no airfare only.

If you go HERE, on the right side there is a 1-877 number to call...somewhere I read that if you want air only, you can call.

I sure wish they had a year round direct flight for a decent price! But not a lot of people from Sask go in the summer.

[Maverick69]

The domestic flights don't start until late Dec. We paid about $750 tax paid. Leave here at about 7 am and arrive at 11:30 . I fail to see the down side. Just booked a flight for the end of this month with two stops and 12 hours later for less than $500 each on Delta.

I booked it on the regular Westjet site.