travelhorizons

Good for you! Insist that the agency pay the $200 ... and if she balks, request to speak with the Manager or Owner of the travel agency.

Key thing: get her to acknowledge that she screwed up.

dutyfree

I would also stress that although the computer will "allow" short connection times(whether you do it yourself and use a TA ) an experienced traveler or TA would KNOW that it isn't doable and therefore would have booked something with a more realistic connection time. Remember to stress to the manager: two different terminals-commuter to mainline airline/Ord airport with weather and traffic problems/ AND only flight to FCO out of CVG daily along with most flights in summer being totally booked so no recourse on being booked for another flight easily.I would also stress that most airlines don't hold international flights for just a few people as flightplans with times cannot be adjusted when going over "the pond".(I live in Chicago and am curious what agency you used?) Good luck!

Odin

There is no screwup if the minimum connecting time is adhered to. When the agent booked the flights, they would have been offered the connection with the MCT already calculated and it would have been sold as a through flight. Technically there is no mistake. Delta confirmed that that MCT is fine. The airlines are the ones after all who load their schedules into the system the travel agent uses to book. There are probably lots of feeder flights into CVG all wanting to make the connection to the same international flight.

If the flight is late into CVG, Delta will have to rebook. I understand there is no other flight from CVG to FCO that day. I'm sure DL does not want the expense of an overnight.

nbujic

Hi
hope this trip works out for you.

I have stopped using travel agents when I realized I can do a better job by using the Net. I NEVER book a trip with less than 2 hours between flights.
If we have to wait a bit longer, I 'd rather have a coffee and relax than race all over the place.

dutyfree

Odin-while I appreciate that you are perhaps a TA or seasoned traveler, I offered my opinion as a international flight attendant that has been flying for over 33 years. I have witnessed many people over the years that chose connecting flights(despite being "alright" with that particular airline saying it was legal or OK) who have missed their dream vacation trip or have been delayed for quite awhile. I have traveled on my own for many many years and know that when planning any trip with airline connections that there is a MCT and a realistic one for those of us who cannot sprint through 3 terminals,etc. If you have ever worked an international flight with people that think that their European connections won't be made because of waiting for connecting passengers-you know why I stress this.

Images2

A couple of years ago we were flying Delta to Venice, from CVG through Chicago. We missed our flight in Chicago due to weather. Delta didn't pay for a hotel to overnight us, they actually flew us back to CVG and told us no other flights were available for 3 days. We were furious with them, being Gold Medallion at the time. We actually went back to CVG the following day, and sat there for hours insisting they put us on the next flight. Instead, they were putting people from a missed flight of Another Airline, in front of us. I couldn't believe it, and found a manager, had him look up our record, and he finally overuled the agents at the gate, finding us seats on the plane.

Please, don't rely on Delta helping you out in any situation. We're medallion with them and they still don't come through.

julieann

I learned that the niminum connecting time required from a domestic flight to international flight in Cincinnati is 60 minutes. The TA can reissue the tickets but I can not directly. Thanks for all your help.

julieann

Believe it or not I am still working on this. I have found all you need is one "supervisor" to side with you and it helps. It does look like we will be able to change to an earlier flight from ORD. Make sure you get names when you talk to "people". That is what is allowing me to hopefully get a positive resolution.

rkkwan

Good.

The other rule about dealing with airlines is:

If you don't like the answer, thank the person, hangup and dial again. Do not get upset, do not argue - which will not help your cause.

setauketli

I am glad they are willing to rebook for you. That connection is definitely too short. Another thought no one has mentioned is to buy travel insurance to cover a trip delay. Even with a longer connection time it might be worth buying as it covers many other expenses such as lost luggage etc.

julieann

I thought this had been resolved. I talked to an agent supervisor in Dallas who told me she would "tag" the record and to have the TA call and she would be given a waiver number to be able to change. The TA called and was told all week the person who could do this was sick. When she called back today she was told it could not be done without penalty which is where we were two weeks ago. I have an e-mail from Delta that said the minimum connecting time from Cincinnati on an international flight is 60 minutes. Any suggestions what else to say or who I can talk to you? Thanks.

lovisa

I just went to the Delta website, put in ORD - FCO, selected June 20 as an arbitrary date, and it still shows the 37 minute connection in Cincinnati as one of the choices.

As you keep waiting, the difference between the fare you paid and the current fare may just get higher, and you may get no satisfaction from Delta (I see elsewhere you're looking for the Delta president's address). Maybe you need to bite the bullet, pay the $200 and the difference in fares. Then write the TA request reimbursement for the $200 and the difference in fares and explain that if they don't reimburse you, you'll be taking them to small claims court. Don't know if you'll be successful in small claims court, but you probably have a lot more invested in your trip, and missing a flight is a sure way to ruin it.

Odin

dutyfree: I understand what you are saying, that the probability of making the connection of 37mins seems unlikely and the knock-on effect of missing the connection unpleasant, but the connection time is legal and I don't know how this would stand up to a small claims court or requesting refunds: perhaps the best chance of resolving the situation is to find a sympathetic DL supervisor.

julieann

I appreciate everyone's help and support - I thought I had found a sympathic supervisor in Dallas but she changed her mind later when called on. I just know we will not miss this trip so one way or another I will get it done! Thanks again.

Dukey

I am sorry so many people here, and for whatever reasons, decided this could not be done.

I hope all works out for you and that you'll post a trip report when you return.

cmeyer54

Summer storms are as big a concern at O'hare as any winter weather. I would be nervous with less than 90 minutes if flying out of O'Hare.

julieann

I am very happy to report that I have rescheduled my ORD to Cincinnati flight to the 2:02 flight with no penalties or fee. The key was to keep calling until I found an agent that said 60 minutes was the minimun connecting time for all international flights and was willing to make all changes himself. Yeah! Thanks for all the encouragement to keep calling ... Italy here we come!

dutyfree

So what day are you going to Rome?

Celiaanne

Congratulations, julieann. I am happy to hear that. There is no way this connection was reasonable.

Enjoy your trip!

travelhorizons

Yes, congratulations on keeping at it. Persistance is sometimes the best (and only) way to succeed! Good job. Now you have a travel agent to fire