jacketwatch

Well guys we are in Madrid and were due to leave tomorrow to Chicago via Newark. However both flights were can cancelled d/t the Hurricane. Got an email from UA confirming our flight from Newark to Chicago rescheduled for the 31st but no news yet as for getting to Newark from Madrid. Been on hold forever with UA from a local call but no answer. I've emails too and no answer either. What to do?

mztery

can you go online and rebook yourselves?

mrwunrfl

Maybe Lufthansa can help? The only MAD-ORD options for tomorrow in economy at the united website involve LH for MAD to Frankfurt, overnight in Frankfurt, and then United to ORD on the 30th.

jacketwatch

Tried that. This was not available. I assume they have to get me home but how and when? If they have me in EWR I suppose they must find a way to get there but no communication makes it rough. On top of that my iPhone hasn't worked so I got a cheapo here to call home but 3 hrs. later it's still not activated! Yeesh.

jacketwatch

I looked at one ways but the cost was very $$$.

mrwunrfl

i am going to call United for you

mrwunrfl

Wait time will be greater than 30 minutes which I don't have. Going to the airport seems your best option.

A few years ago, I had an award ticket issued by United and flying on Thai. Lufthansa operated a Star Alliance desk at the Bangkok airport and they were very willing and able to make a change to the ticket.

jacketwatch

Thanks so much for trying. Now they want us to go on Nov. 4 which is 5 days late. Just can't do that. Guess I'll have to go to the airport.

julia1

I realize it's no consolation, but with 5,000+ flights now cancelled, you're certainly not alone in this predicament. When a weather event like this happens, it often takes several days for airlines to re-establish normal flight schedules. Grounded planes need to be moved into position and as many as 50,000-100,000 passengers need to be accommodated, many on flights which are already booked near capacity.

I've been caught in situations like this several times over the years, including being stranded in France when all flights into US airspace were grounded for days following the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The best I can tell you is to take a deep breath and try to accept that sometimes things are just out of your control. I hope you will find someone who can help you get on an earlier flight when you get to the airport. Best wishes for your travels back to Chicago.

jacketwatch

Thank you. I realize that. The frustration is that you just can't get thru to speak to someone at UA. Endless wait times. Then we buy a cheapo phone to call home as my iPhone doesn't work here, and that's a mystery and the SIM still isn't activated nearly 16 hrs. later soi I still can't call home. Well we bit the bullet and bought new tickets on Lufthansa for tomorrow. We just can't wait till the 4th.

Best wishes and prayers to those on the east coast.

rkkwan

UA does have a Madrid number. Of course, how helpful they can be, or whether you can get though is another matter.

Madrid, Spain

900-961-266

901-010-096 (MileagePlus Service Centre)
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

rkkwan

Meant to add that they will open 9am Monday. Which is just a few hours from now. May be better than going to the airport with many many passengers crowding a few agents.

rkkwan

BTW, you SHOULD at least have the Nov 4 flight confirmed first, then try to change to earlier dates or options. That way, at least you know you can come back on Nov 4.

jacketwatch

Thanks for the advice. We decided to bite the bullet and rebook. We got Lufthansa and leave tomorrow. We connect MUC-LHR-ORD and arrive the same day. When you figure the extra cost vs. the cost of staying till the 4th we are out about $700.00 but hopefully will be home 5 days sooner. We both have to be at work on the 5th and besides just really want to get home. Again thanks for the numbers. I appreciate the effort. The # I have been calling with perpetual hold was 900 813 996.

jacketwatch

BTW we decided to book on our own after seeing the news yesterday and noting so many cancellations. Glad I did as now the prices are a lot more.

rkkwan

$700 well spent. Also reminds why some travel insurance can be helpful. In cases like this.

jacketwatch

I have it and called them. Will start a claim process when I get home. Hopefully I can get some $ back.

mrwunrfl

Do you mean the extra cost minus the cost of staying equals about $700? Or is the $700 a fare difference or change fee or both?

jacketwatch

The first one. The tickets were about $2300.00 so figure conservatively an extra $1600.00 for extra hotel and food, entertainment and so on.

jacketwatch

BTW thanks agin for the help. It's been hard here and it's tough making decisions based on ones best guess but that is what w found ourselves having to do.

I have seen pic of the storm and my God my prayers are with those folks. They are in harms way. Best of luck to all of them.