Comments on: “We were floored” http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-were-floored/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bill Rowell http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-were-floored/comment-page-1/#comment-14259 Bill Rowell Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:36:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5142#comment-14259 oh yeah, it's a travel fact, but sometimes you've got to help them out. I travel A LOT (250,000 miles a year) and my former travel agent (I LOVE Horizons Unlimited) had mentioned over the phone while changing yet another of my flights, about the "24 hour Void" policy. Later in life I ran into the "oops, I know you were going home (Knoxville to Dothan, AL), but could you 'Stop off' in Anaheim and fix a customer's problem?" from my boss. I was on the phone in seconds talking to my Airlines Platinum line and was informed of the $75 - $100 - $125 - whatever charge and I asked "even if it was booked yesterday?" after many seconds of silence I hear "Ohhhhh, Yeahhhhh, no charge" If I wouldn't have asked, that charge was going through. It's happened a couple of times, and goes to prove that knowledge, and a pleasant attitude CAN be worth something.... oh yeah, it’s a travel fact, but sometimes you’ve got to help them out. I travel A LOT (250,000 miles a year) and my former travel agent (I LOVE Horizons Unlimited) had mentioned over the phone while changing yet another of my flights, about the “24 hour Void” policy. Later in life I ran into the “oops, I know you were going home (Knoxville to Dothan, AL), but could you ‘Stop off’ in Anaheim and fix a customer’s problem?” from my boss. I was on the phone in seconds talking to my Airlines Platinum line and was informed of the $75 – $100 – $125 – whatever charge and I asked “even if it was booked yesterday?” after many seconds of silence I hear “Ohhhhh, Yeahhhhh, no charge” If I wouldn’t have asked, that charge was going through. It’s happened a couple of times, and goes to prove that knowledge, and a pleasant attitude CAN be worth something….

]]> By: kenish http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-were-floored/comment-page-1/#comment-13901 kenish Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:08:36 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5142#comment-13901 A ticket is a document that binds both parties to the Contract of Carriage, correct? Most states have a 1-2 business day recission or "buyers remorse" period for contracts. Are the airlines violating this by only allowing a 24 clock hour period? Someone with legal expertise, please comment. A ticket is a document that binds both parties to the Contract of Carriage, correct? Most states have a 1-2 business day recission or “buyers remorse” period for contracts. Are the airlines violating this by only allowing a 24 clock hour period? Someone with legal expertise, please comment.

]]> By: Joel http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-were-floored/comment-page-1/#comment-13816 Joel Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:28:14 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5142#comment-13816 "At a time when passengers expect their airline to charge for anything that isn’t bolted down": this made me laugh, especially with United losing a row of seats that wasn't bolted down: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008090782_webunited04m.html “At a time when passengers expect their airline to charge for anything that isn’t bolted down”: this made me laugh, especially with United losing a row of seats that wasn’t bolted down: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008090782_webunited04m.html

]]> By: Lenore Wilkas http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-were-floored/comment-page-1/#comment-13778 Lenore Wilkas Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:34:58 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5142#comment-13778 I discovered this a couple of months ago when I booked, using miles, and the computer changed my ticket on me. I had been watching for weeks and was ready to reserve a SFO/OGG trip. The problems had been with the outbound flight and when I finally saw it available from SFO, I clicked on the make reservation button. Imagine my surprise when all wa completed and they'd done that SFO to OGG but 3 days later than I had input. Called them. The cancelled the trip and returned the miles and I tried once again but gave up on leaving on a non-stop and had to route through SFO-LAX-OGG on the outbound. You really do have to watch them closely because they are playing games at all hours. At least they're willing to correct their mistake, that is if you notice it immediately. I discovered this a couple of months ago when I booked, using miles, and the computer changed my ticket on me. I had been watching for weeks and was ready to reserve a SFO/OGG trip. The problems had been with the outbound flight and when I finally saw it available from SFO, I clicked on the make reservation button. Imagine my surprise when all wa completed and they’d done that SFO to OGG but 3 days later than I had input. Called them. The cancelled the trip and returned the miles and I tried once again but gave up on leaving on a non-stop and had to route through SFO-LAX-OGG on the outbound. You really do have to watch them closely because they are playing games at all hours. At least they’re willing to correct their mistake, that is if you notice it immediately.

]]> By: Marcy http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-were-floored/comment-page-1/#comment-13776 Marcy Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:53:19 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5142#comment-13776 I had a similar experience with American Airlines a few months ago. I booked two coach RT tickets to Guatemala (at a very low price) on AA's Web site, only to realize about a day later that I needed to return on a different date. I called AA customer service and they were very nice and accommodating. The agent changed my reservation with zero hassle or additional charges. I had a similar experience with American Airlines a few months ago. I booked two coach RT tickets to Guatemala (at a very low price) on AA’s Web site, only to realize about a day later that I needed to return on a different date. I called AA customer service and they were very nice and accommodating. The agent changed my reservation with zero hassle or additional charges.

]]> By: David http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-were-floored/comment-page-1/#comment-13775 David Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:59:17 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5142#comment-13775 Above posters are correct: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1510,00.html David Above posters are correct:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1510,00.html

David

]]> By: Joe Farrell http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-were-floored/comment-page-1/#comment-13773 Joe Farrell Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:27:47 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5142#comment-13773 Yep - free look for 24 hours - same as they'll hold your ticket at the same price for 24 even if the fine print states that prices subject to change until ticketed. Yep – free look for 24 hours – same as they’ll hold your ticket at the same price for 24 even if the fine print states that prices subject to change until ticketed.

]]> By: Drew http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-were-floored/comment-page-1/#comment-13772 Drew Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:03:45 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5142#comment-13772 One of the little known rules in airlines (and I've had to do this twice now) is that you actually do have 24 hours to make cancellations without penalty... I've done it on United and USAirways in the past, primarily because I've made plans for a business trip and then, later that day, the trip has changed. Both times, I've been able to cancel my reservations without a charge... Sometimes, things DO work in your favor. One of the little known rules in airlines (and I’ve had to do this twice now) is that you actually do have 24 hours to make cancellations without penalty… I’ve done it on United and USAirways in the past, primarily because I’ve made plans for a business trip and then, later that day, the trip has changed. Both times, I’ve been able to cancel my reservations without a charge… Sometimes, things DO work in your favor.

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