jack

Duplicate post from the US board: <BR> <BR>Here's the deal, I'm getting married in the second week of November (20some days), my fiance meticulously planned nearly the entire affair and I have meticulously planned our entire Hawaiian honeymoon. <BR> <BR>I started planning the honeymoon one year ago and have had all my airline and hotel reservations since last December. Using a packager, I was able to get first class seats on United at a serious discount. Being the anal guy I am, I've been checking my flights every couple weeks or so over the last year to make sure that nothing changed. Since Sept 11, I've checked regularly for obvious reasons. Today I checked and sure enough, things changed. . . <BR> <BR>We are flying from the east coast into Kauai and out of the Big Island, through LAX both ways. Both of the east coast-west coast flights were A320s, now they changed one to an A319, and cancelled the return. The 319s have smaller first classes and it is filled (not by me) on my flight. I'm trying to rebook a return flight but the only reasonably timed flight is also a 319 and has been entirely booked, so not only did I lose first class, I lost the flight entirely! So far the flights to and from Hawaii have not changed, but I'm waiting for that shoe to drop. <BR> <BR>Is this kosher? I know that Sept 11 really screwed things up and the airlines (particularly United) are scrambling. What kills me is that one of the A320s was fully booked BEFORE they made it a smaller plane. What do I do now? I'm trying not to be a first class snob, but this is my honeymoon and it's been payed for and planned for a year. I still can't fathom how to get home from LAX when they are cancelling flights and the others are entirely booked (did I mention that I'm returning Thanksgiving weekend?) you know, that didn't seem like such a bad idea a year ago. <BR> <BR>any advice people? I'm losing it.

anna

I'm not sure I completely understand you situation. But what I'm getting is you originally had four first class flights. Then United made changes: two flights are still first class, one had an equipment change which bumped you out of first class, and another cancelled and rebooked you on an unacceptable timed flight. I'm also assuming you have spoken to United (nice and polite) and they have told you this first-hand, not just checked on the internet, etc. <BR> <BR>If my understanding is correct, your scenario is unfortunate and extremely rare. The normal procedure when there are flight changes, is that the airline immediately rebooks all the affected passengers on the nearest available flight in the SAME class of service. I'm assuming, that if this happened the times were unacceptable for your schedule. <BR> <BR>I completely understand how this would get you upset. My first suggestion would be to call United (multiple times if neccessary), and calmly, nicely explain your situation and ask what can be done. Have a look at the flight schedule and know which flights work with your schedule, which you would accept coach seating just to meet your schedule etc. <BR> <BR>Policies vary, and may have changed slightly, but I believe you are entitled to a refund if they can not put you in the same class of service within 6 hours from your original flight, or a First Class-Coach difference refund, if you fly coach. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately, I'm sure you don't want to cancel your trip, that limits some of your options. But best advice, based on flying 100+ first class flights a year: is simply be persistent and polite and keep calling back and explaining your situation until you get some results you can live with. <BR> <BR>Good luck and have a wonderful honeymoon.

xxx

HMMM... I have never used a packager before so my knowledge is limited here. <BR> <BR>First thing I might do before calling the packager or the airline is read carefully and fully the agreement and bylines for the package you purchased. <BR> <BR>After you are intimately aware of your agreement get on the horn with the packager and CALMLY explain the situation and ask that they fix it or try to work a refund or discount. Odds are you could rebook without the aid of the packager now and get a good price for the 1st class tix. If your packager turns out to be a sleazy fellow, report them to the BBB and then get on the phone with the airline and see if they might help. Be nice... they can be very unhelpful if you get snotty. <BR> <BR>Best of luck with your arrangements. If things do not work out perfectly, leave the nasty feelings at home and enjoy you new life together.

xxx

Unfortunately, this is now common as the airlines reduce their schedules (often the first and last flights of the day have been eliminated). The same thing has happened to me (different airline, different destination-the computer assigned new flights (still in first class) but they had invalid connections. We ended up splitting up the outbound over two days and are having to return starting at 8:00 a.m. I called them before they called me. If you have flights in the next several months and have not heard from your airline, you should call to increase your chances of getting reaccomodated.

Chris

United's reduction in flights has also affected my November travel plans. I had seen that they were scaling back and checked my itinerary the next day. Yes, they had cancelled my outbound flight. This was the first leg of an interairline, international trip. When I called United to see what was being done, I found they had rescheduled us on a misconnect only allowing 35 minutes. Our only alternative was to split it over two days. <BR> <BR>My advice is the same you've already read. Call United and explore all alternatives. But first go on their website and familiarize yourself with the flight times available on or about your travel dates. Good luck!