hiho322

I was happy to have gotten a not-too-ridiculous price on flight between Newark, NJ and St. Maarten for early June, purchased in late February, for $413.44, including taxes (purchased on the Continental site). The companion ticket was purchased with Frequent Flier miles, with of course, fees on top of that. But overall, it was an acceptable price for two tickets during an off-peak time. Today, I noticed that Jet Blue had lowered their flights to $333.55, including taxes, and immediately went to the Continental site to see if they'd matched the price. They had, so I called, hoping that they'd honor the new price and reimburse the difference. Other airlines had in the past, so I was hopeful. When I spoke to a representative, she wasn't very helpful, so I asked for a supervisor. She was pleasant enough, but told me at first that their policy was not to honor price differences. We talked further and I gave her a good argument why she should: brand loyalty, goodwill, other airlines' policies, etc. She finally relented - a tad - and told me she'd make an exception, but would have to charge me a rebooking fee of $150. That was laughable, since I was taking the same flights anyway - and with that extreme a re-booking fee, I wouldn't be saving, I'd be paying extra! Finally, she said that she'd honor the price difference by only charging a $50 fee, and the rest of the difference would be in a travel voucher. So I'd go through all this trouble for a mere $30 - in a travel voucher, for a future flight!!! I told her that I didn't have any frequent flier miles left, that it would be a long time until I took another flight, why couldn't she just credit the difference to my credit card? Of course, I got the usual "Oh, no, we don't work that way," I told her thanks, but no thanks. Basically, I'd be paying $50 more now - and prob never use the voucher! Before I got off, I pled my case one more time and suggested that I'm "one of those people who post on the internet...a lot." Didn't she want to foster goodwill? That didn't change her mind, so I told her that I would indeed be posting about this, everywhere. This is not my first post, but one of many I'm putting up on numerous travel sites. Considering that a lot of people are not flying these days, but driving, due to the cost and also those ridiculous nickel and diming maneuvers like paying for checked baggage, she really should have considered what I said. I understand company policy, but this was insulting. Maybe the airlines will realize that they lose business by treating people like this. All we can do is keep posting vigilantly...and hope for the best.

doug_stallings

I guess I don't understand why you are so bothered by this. Rebooking fees have been the norm for over 10 years now. Granted, I agree with you that they are now too high ($150 is way too much, though sadly typical). But $50 is a really good deal. It's a shame about the voucher, but it's not in the interest of the airline to simply give you money, and since Continental is hurting like other carriers, I can understand the refund being given in the form of a voucher. (If you actually told the airline you wouldn't be taking another flight, I can understand why they might insist on the voucher anyway, if they had the discretion).

Maybe I'm being too harsh, but I just don't think the airline did anything unusual or even negative here. You got a pretty good fare plus an almost-free ticket. What's the downside?

scubagirrl

I'm with Doug.. that's what I would expect from an airline these days.. it's been policy for ages..

ejcrowe

Yeah, that's pretty standard practice. I'd say you're fortunate to have the rebooking fee reduced to only $50.

blamona

All the airlines are practicing this now-it's been years that if you find a lower rate, you have to pay the rebooking fee then re-buy. Most airlines are charging $150 for any ticket change.

You also have to consider, you bought a non-refundable ticket, meaning that sales are basically finale. So paying $150 to change a ticket, and giving a 1 year from purchase deadline, you are actually able to manipulate the non-refundable ticket. They tell you when purchase, it's non-refundable, so why would they return any money? Actually sounds pretty fair to me.

I own a business myself (not travel) and people try to to use the "I write on forums" and it doesn't work. People will write one way or another. Most people that travel already know the deal.

Remember, sitting on a beach relaxing is worth itand you'll soon forget your ordeal-Caribbean has a way of doing that!
;-)

KVR

I've have never heard of an airline matching or giving refunds for lower prices. Southwest is the only airline that will re-book a ticket at a lower price without a rebooking fee, but for a voucher only, not cash back. There are some booking companies out there that will do that but for hotel bookings but not airfare. Airline tickets are typically non-refundable. It's a gamble to purchase or wait to see if they go up or down. In this ecomony, you're lucky you got the price you did. It took me 2 years to finally get a decent rate on air to Curacao and yep it was on Continental. Talk about being patient.

I had American Airlines not honor our frequent flyer miles and I was just as upset, but realized that the airlines have the monopoly of getting us to where we want to be, so we either accept their evil practices or we sit at home. I still avoid AA when I can, but some destinations it's just not possible.

Pulley

I have to agree that you are being way to harsh on Continental. You bought the ticket they didn't force you to buy it. When buying a ticket you take a chance that the price may change - up OR down. Same thing happened to me with AA tickets last year. The fare difference was $110 and they charge $100 re-booking fee not worth it to me but no big deal.

As far as your threat about posting on the internet that doesn't work. Must of the people on the travel sites will just take your post as an angry person who didn't get their way. Get over it and enjoy the beach.

travelerfromtx

Welcome to the world of airline ticketing. I can tell your new.

stricklandia_dot_com

I agree with everyone else... you're making a mountain out of a mole hill. What you describe is standard operating procedure. Even if you're "stuck" with your original fare, I'd call $413 for that itinerary quite good. The fact that you call it "not-too-ridiculous" and "acceptable" says a lot.

emcash

even jetblue who says they will give you a credit if their own fares go lower will charge you a change fee to do this, often making the change not worth it. Standard Operating Procedure.

dominick2

I don't think that anyone likes the fees that the airlines are charging but the reality is that they are losing money like crazy and are desperate to increase their revenue. When you subtract the taxes from the fare, Continental only got about $340 for one ticket -- and nothing for the second! How much less do you expect to pay? Frankly, a "fair" price for the ticket -- that is, one that at least gives the airline a chance to break even -- is a whole lot more than that! If the people at Continental had been rude to you or if they had provided you with lousy service, you would have a legitimate gripe. It's not a legitimate complaint when they simply are only willing to bend, but not break, their rules.

Barbara1

This was posted on another St. maarten travel board and the OP got basically the same responses.
I myself have often been in the same situation with an airline ( not Continental).
I always seem to miss out on the lower fares. my bad luck.
I don't like it but it has been that way for years.

tom42

$413 with all taxes is a good price. While it would be nice if the airlines honored lower fares, I would hardly call Continental's policy "outrageous."

sassy_cat

If the price goes up are you going to call the airline and offer to pay the extra money?

You got a good deal; enjoy!

steve

LOL at sassy_cat....Nice

BeachGirl247

I feel that is a good deal as well. Considering I pay over $300 from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas (a short 1 hour flight) your fare seems like a steal coming from NJ. And the agent lowered the fee is the first time I've heard of them doing that.

Southwest Airlines is the only company I am aware of that does not charge a rebooking fee. All others have charged high fees for quite some time.

My advice, don't look back. You're going to the islands!

CarolD1

I think both sides are correct. Certainly Continental's policy probably differs little from what is "standard" for airlines; I have often been treated worse. But Hiho is also correct that it is an absurd policy. No other industry could get away with conduct that is considered "routine" in the airline industry. Can you imagine going into the grocery store and finding no posted prices on anything, and then discovering that at the checkout everybody paid a different price based on totally arbitrary factors that no one would disclose? And that if you had, say 2 gallons of milk that you might pay less than if you only had 1?

So, more power to you, Hiho, although my guess is you are fighting a losing battle.

craney

Maybe hiho is new to the traveling scene so the fee is something new. Nobody refunds especially on discount fares.

Carib_Ian

Hiho, I read your rant on the Traveltalk board. You should have quit there... there's not much sympathy for your case.

Gregory_Ellis

Speaking of Airfare - Is it just me or does $1300+ sound bit high from Dayton, Ohio, Via Charlotte, to SXM? This is for TWO round trip tickets. I HOPE the flight is too far out (Sept 3) and the prices will drop since it will be low season.