Need help re: missed flight Northwest Airlines
Feb 5th, 2006, 10:10 AM
#22
Interesting situation. My guess is technically they owe you nothing. What you need is a human being to take pity on you. How to find them?
Whether going to the airport in person, or continuing to call the airline until someone is sympathetic, or you make it up the chain to talk to a supervisor... I don't know but I think that is the key, because anything they give you will be a perk, not something you are owed (as I believe you realize).
Whether going to the airport in person, or continuing to call the airline until someone is sympathetic, or you make it up the chain to talk to a supervisor... I don't know but I think that is the key, because anything they give you will be a perk, not something you are owed (as I believe you realize).
Feb 5th, 2006, 11:53 AM
#23
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Armchair, can you email me yor email adress. I can put you in contact with a person who may be able to help. I ahve always had great luck with nwa and I'm hoping you can get this resolved. As some of the people have had bad luck I have had good luck so maybe this person can help even if you get a partial refund.
Feb 5th, 2006, 02:43 PM
#25
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I would think since the agent wouldn't let you try to get on the flight, the agent would have cancelled your reservations since he/she knew you weren't traveling on this ticket. In that case, you should be able to apply the cost of the ticket toward another ticket on NW. That is the position I would take when dealing with NW. Also, there are some airlines that do not make your ticket valueless if you don't cancel prior to flight but I don't know if NW is one of those. Let us know how this works out.
Feb 6th, 2006, 04:32 AM
#27
I flew NWA this week on a domestic flight and my e-ticket/itinerary clearly said I must be checked-in 75 minutes before the flight. I was flying out of a small airport also. When I checked-in, I was told I must be at the gate 30 minutes before departure. I'll be surprised if NWA compensates you in any way. Good luck!
Feb 6th, 2006, 10:16 AM
#28
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I would be surprised if NWA gave the OP anything, because there's nothing owed. Nonrefundable is nonrefundable, and the OP got there past the official boarding cutoff point. NO airline has a time only 20 minutes before departure. The idea that they "cancelled" the ticket and they were notified in advance is not true, the OP violated the terms of the nonrefundable ticket in terms of arrival time.
If they give anything for this, they'd have to give compensation to everyone who was careless and negligent and gets to their flight late.
If they give anything for this, they'd have to give compensation to everyone who was careless and negligent and gets to their flight late.
Feb 7th, 2006, 06:46 AM
#29
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UPDATE:
Ya know the one about falling in a pile of dung and finding a pony?
Well, that's how I feel.
Just talked to Northwest and---no problem! They will take our unused tickets as a credit toward a future flight within the next year. There's a tranfser fee of $200--pretty steep, but not bad considering I thought the tickets were worthless.
So, we're now planning a return trip to Florence for the fall.
Don't ya just love happy endings?!
Ya know the one about falling in a pile of dung and finding a pony?
Well, that's how I feel.
Just talked to Northwest and---no problem! They will take our unused tickets as a credit toward a future flight within the next year. There's a tranfser fee of $200--pretty steep, but not bad considering I thought the tickets were worthless.
So, we're now planning a return trip to Florence for the fall.
Don't ya just love happy endings?!
Feb 7th, 2006, 11:39 AM
#33
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I simply dealt with the cust svc agent who answered the phone. There never seemed to be any question in his mind about the resolution.
And YES. Not only will we be on time, but I WILL be responsible for the transportation this time!
And YES. Not only will we be on time, but I WILL be responsible for the transportation this time!
Feb 7th, 2006, 04:55 PM
#34
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Regarding just one of the issues mentioned here: I have been told that the first leg (even though it be domestic) of an international flight is the one that needs to be arrived at 2 hrs. ahead. Eg, I arrive at PIT 2 hrs. ahead even though I am just flying to PHL and then on to CDG, per airlines instructions.
Feb 7th, 2006, 05:01 PM
#35
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I'm a little unclear as to exactly what NWA did for you.
Are they allowng you to use your tickets as a $500 credit toward a future flight?
What about the $2400 per ticket that you paid already? Did they refund that?
I've been following this thread with interest, and would love to understand exactly what NWA did for you.
Thanks.
Gayle
Are they allowng you to use your tickets as a $500 credit toward a future flight?
What about the $2400 per ticket that you paid already? Did they refund that?
I've been following this thread with interest, and would love to understand exactly what NWA did for you.
Thanks.
Gayle
Feb 7th, 2006, 07:13 PM
#36
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grandmere - Despite what an airline agent tell you, there's really no set rule when you have to be at the airport for check-in, except there IS a cutoff.
It really depends on the airport and the situation, but in general, if you have your bags checked and boarding pass in hand an hour before departure, you'll be okay.
Now, at some airports, the line may be long, so you don't want to cut it close. At others (like in the OP's case, a tiny airport most likely served by a turboprop), then there won't be anybody at check-in 2 hours ahead of flight time. So, it really depends.
And some airlines like CO and NW allow online check-in even for international flights. So, if one has no luggage, as long as he/she showes up at the gate before the plane door closes, he/she's fine - domestic or international.
It really depends on the airport and the situation, but in general, if you have your bags checked and boarding pass in hand an hour before departure, you'll be okay.
Now, at some airports, the line may be long, so you don't want to cut it close. At others (like in the OP's case, a tiny airport most likely served by a turboprop), then there won't be anybody at check-in 2 hours ahead of flight time. So, it really depends.
And some airlines like CO and NW allow online check-in even for international flights. So, if one has no luggage, as long as he/she showes up at the gate before the plane door closes, he/she's fine - domestic or international.
Feb 8th, 2006, 04:08 AM
#37
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Gayle:
The really expensive last-minute tickets were on Delta...we didn't end up flying Northwest at all. My firend is going to compensate me for that.
As for Northwest, as I understand it, we can use the unused ticket as a credit toward a future flight. I.e., we have a $516 credit. Reduce that by the $200 transfer fee and we have $316 to apply to our next trip.
I think rkkwan has it exactly right. At our small airport I would have been perfectly comfortable arriving an hour before flight time, regardless of the int'l component. (Not that I would push it that close, I just think one would be OK doing that.)
On our return from CDG, we were there more than 2 hours ahead just to allow for long security lines, etc. It's not ironclad, but generally one can judge by the nature of the airport.
The really expensive last-minute tickets were on Delta...we didn't end up flying Northwest at all. My firend is going to compensate me for that.
As for Northwest, as I understand it, we can use the unused ticket as a credit toward a future flight. I.e., we have a $516 credit. Reduce that by the $200 transfer fee and we have $316 to apply to our next trip.
I think rkkwan has it exactly right. At our small airport I would have been perfectly comfortable arriving an hour before flight time, regardless of the int'l component. (Not that I would push it that close, I just think one would be OK doing that.)
On our return from CDG, we were there more than 2 hours ahead just to allow for long security lines, etc. It's not ironclad, but generally one can judge by the nature of the airport.
Feb 8th, 2006, 04:17 AM
#38
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Hi! My last flight at CDG involved a local (i.e. intra-Europe flight -- here considered local!) and an international (i.e. overseas flight). I arrived 3 hours ahead, based on the international flight regulations. The check-in counter opened exactly 43 minutes before flight time! Boy, was I bored!
Feb 8th, 2006, 04:43 AM
#39
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Hi armchair..., you have restored my faith in humanity! First NWA was not too terribly greedy, you didn't get too many "put on your big girl pants and deal with it" posts from Fodorites,AND your "late" friend stepped up with financial help. Now, please tell all about your Italy and Paris trip!
