Comments on: Missed flight, maximum fee http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/missed-flight-maximum-fee/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jennifer http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/missed-flight-maximum-fee/comment-page-1/#comment-2748 Jennifer Sat, 15 Sep 2007 04:22:54 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/missed-flight-maximum-fee/#comment-2748 If you miss your outbound flight regardless if it's a non refundable or refundable ticket they cancel your whole round trip ticket and you have to have your ticket exchanged if you want a confirmed seat. Fare difference if any and fee if it applies are charged. There have been many times however where airlines have waived fees due to weather and gave refunds even in advance due to extreme weather. I agree with Dr. Wong I feel the airline had every right to charge them also. If you miss your outbound flight regardless if it’s a non refundable or refundable ticket they cancel your whole round trip ticket and you have to have your ticket exchanged if you want a confirmed seat. Fare difference if any and fee if it applies are charged. There have been many times however where airlines have waived fees due to weather and gave refunds even in advance due to extreme weather. I agree with Dr. Wong I feel the airline had every right to charge them also.

]]> By: Dr Wong http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/missed-flight-maximum-fee/comment-page-1/#comment-1950 Dr Wong Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:51:03 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/missed-flight-maximum-fee/#comment-1950 Calling it a "flat-tire" rule is a misnomer. It's not a rule, but an airline courtesy. The airline had every right to charge the individual the walk-up fare, which apparently they did. It's not the airline's fault that the passenger was unable to meet his end of the contract (i.e., presenting himself at the airport with sufficient time to board the plan). Weather is so unpredictable that the airline owes you nothing if weather prevents a timely take-off or results in a cancelled flight since the weather is beyond their control. Similarly, the airline owes you nothing if the same lousy weather prevented your timely arrival at the airport. But it's nice to see that we consumers have an advocate and that some airlines still have an interest in customer retention! Calling it a “flat-tire” rule is a misnomer. It’s not a rule, but an airline courtesy. The airline had every right to charge the individual the walk-up fare, which apparently they did.

It’s not the airline’s fault that the passenger was unable to meet his end of the contract (i.e., presenting himself at the airport with sufficient time to board the plan). Weather is so unpredictable that the airline owes you nothing if weather prevents a timely take-off or results in a cancelled flight since the weather is beyond their control. Similarly, the airline owes you nothing if the same lousy weather prevented your timely arrival at the airport.

But it’s nice to see that we consumers have an advocate and that some airlines still have an interest in customer retention!

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