Non-stop Bait & Switch

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Q. I found a very unusual fare from New York City to Denver at $138 round-trip on a non-stop flight. Needless to say, I was very pleased with myself since I usually pay $250 or more. But then, a few weeks before my departure, the airline called me and told me that I'd now be on connecting flights. Worse, instead of flying in a big 757, all my flights would now be on regional jets. Needless to say, I am now not very pleased. What should I do? Can the airlines do this? And why would they? By the way, I checked on line and there are still lots of seats available on the non-stop for my days of travel, but needless to say they're now charging $700 round-trip. Oh, also the flight times were changed, not surprisingly, and now I have to get up much earlier to make the flight.

A. The airlines spell out very clearly in their contracts of carriage that they can change schedules without notice (at least you were notified!) and that, in one airline's contract, "Under no circumstances shall American be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages." It's entirely possible that your airline had second thoughts about selling prime non-stop seats at such a low price, and is now selling them to last minute travelers for a lot more. I do think, however, that if you call the airline and are kind but persistent they will put you back on your original flights. If you don't like the answer you get at first, call again and again until they agree. Ask to speak to a supervisor. You might even go out to the airport and see someone face to face. And good luck.

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Maybe if its "needless to say," you could avoid that unnecessary cliche THREE times in a short post??

by gwilkens on Tuesday, April 20, 2010

That happened to me once. I reserved a flight using frequent flyer miles. The airline called and said they were putting me on another flight. There was no way I could meet my connecting flight. I balked! Then they wanted to give me flights with about 8 hrs. layover. I balked again. I told them that I am a 78 year-old, disabled woman and they rerouted me again even though they asked me in what way I am disabled! I hope this passenger DOES complain. I am convinced that the airlines tell you that there are no seats available just because you want to use frequent flyer miles. This means you have to stay over a day or 2 or get to your destination a day or 2 thereby costing you additional money for a hotel.

by Nancy on Sunday, April 18, 2010

THIS has happened to me so many times that I've lost count-particularly in the last few years Ex: 2 years ago, my non-stop (that I was doing for business but my children were accompanying me) from Phx to DC was suddenly changed into connecting flights each way. Much earlier leaving, arriving later (with up to 4 hours connecting time). To make matters worse-they wouldn't even have seats for my 6 and 8 year old to sit next to me. I kept refusing the change and spoke to a progression of supervisors who finally was able to help me. Call your airline and if you can't get satisfaction, ask over and over-politely and firmly-for their supervisor.You'll eventually get one who's high enough to do something about it.

by serlib on Friday, April 16, 2010

I've learned that if you don't like what someone at an 800 number tells you, you call again, and again, and again ... until they do what you want. You'll know soon enough if the calls are futile.

by cryptic observer on Thursday, April 15, 2010

Weary Traveler --

I assure you that airlines do NOT have people sitting around looking for people who paid cheap fares and change them to less desirable flights! Actually, those "regional jets" cost MORE to operate than the large, mainline jets. There is NO incentive to displace the cheap fare passengers on to a more expensive regional jet flight.

Often, a schedule change can be as little as a one minute change in flight times or even a change in aircraft type (e.g. 737-700 to 737-800).

by TL on Wednesday, July 15, 2009

I had same thing happen with Delta and told them it was not acceptable.. they changed my flight from daylight to a red eye..
I was lucky to have a sympathic agent and she put me back on my original flight. It also happened on United and they said they could not change it, but about 2 weeks before the flight they changed me back to my original flight via e-mail.

by Starbuck777 on Tuesday, July 14, 2009

I still say, it's completely different situations:

1) we cancelled your original flight. It no longer exists. You're now going on this flight.

2) your original flight still is going at the same time, but we're putting you on another.

So, if you get changed, the FIRST THING you do is go to the airline website and input your orignial flight number (if it has changed), or if it has not changed, see if there's a new flight number at your original departure time. if either of these are true, they're just moving you (a cheap-seat buyer) out to refill the seat with a full-fare flyer.

If your original flight no longer exists, either by flight number or by departure time, you have a harder uphill climb, but it's still worth politely complaining until they move you back just because they're tired of listening to you.....:-)

by weary traveler on Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Because international fares, at least to Europe, have gone way up and we no longer consider them a bargain. We only list low fares. But as soon as they come down, we'll do our best.

by on Monday, July 13, 2009

I am just wondering why I cant get low fares from knoxville, tn to Chicago Ill I have to drive to Nashville to get a decent fair even then i would have to pay about 60 plus to park my car as it is a 3 plus hour drive and I cant see having someone drive me all that way and come back to get me when I return. I have been looking for over 3 months for a low cost one out of knoxville so it is not like I just started looking. I have had to resort to renting a car and driving there to chicago.

by dilly202 on Monday, July 13, 2009

As a former airline employee, I would guess that there was a schedule change -- could be as simple as a new flight number or flight times changed a few minutes. Unfortunately, the underlying airline computer technology is vintage-1960's. The schedule change logic often just finds a flight or fights that get the passenger to their destination. The passenger should do the research on which flight they want, call the airline, and insist that they be put on that flight due to the airline's schedule change.

Rest assured, this has NOTHING to do with putting the passenger on "less desirable" flights. That just simply doesn't happen -- REALLy!

by TL on Monday, July 13, 2009

I had something similar happen on Frontier. I bought a ticket very early at a very cheap price. They changed my return flight to a 6am departure, which was unacceptable since I was travleing with a baby. I called the airline and demanded I be put back on my original flights. Amazingly, they did it! Just keep calling and demanding what you originally paid for.

by rubytiara on Monday, July 13, 2009

The broken record method of getting what you want works best in this situation. Call them up, keep telling people "that won't work for me," until you get your original itinerary back. If the original flight still exists, somebody will get tired of telling you no.

AS LONG AS you remain polite about it, consistent and brief in your message: I booked this flight, this flight is still available, I want it. The one you put me on doesn't work. They will say blah blah blah. Your response is: I understand what you are saying, and yet...then your original message. Ad nauseam.

Keep saying it to enough people and your chances of getting what you want is really pretty good.

by mickisue on Monday, July 13, 2009

I am no longer receiving the international fares. Why???

by politunein on Monday, July 13, 2009

I'm not sure this qualifies as a "schedule change", if the original flight still exists as purchased. If they simply moved him to regionals so they could resell his seat at 4x the price, I think that's entirely different, and they may have broken the contract. Now, if they cancelled the original flight, and put him on these just to get him to Denver, he may be out of luck.

by weary traveler on Monday, July 13, 2009

I'd have to agree with weary traveler here. The schedule wasn't changed, they moved him to different flights, a different itinerary. That's a very different thing than changing a schedule. I'd be talking to some supervisors right away! I just hope it's not Delta, because they are a pain in the butt to deal with.

by sayhello on Monday, July 13, 2009

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