Anyone miss their flight (due to traffic) using a non refundable ticket?
Nov 16th, 2002, 01:29 PM
#21
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I think it's curious that it is always so easy to fly standby on an earlier flight if there are empty seats. My job is such that I never really know what time I'll be able to get on the plane, so I usually book later in the day. About half the time, I try for an earlier flight and get it at no cost.
Seems inconsistent.
Seems inconsistent.
Nov 17th, 2002, 04:42 AM
#22
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I don't think the new rules are even that the tickets are totally nonrefundable on all airlines, sometimes you can apply them to another ticket with a change fee. US Air does actually define nonrefundable as that way but it's not a secret, those policies are stated when you buy a ticket. ALso, even on US Airways yon pay the $100 to fly standby the same day if you want.
Somebody who has to travel that distance to a flight with a lot of people on a major vacation who doesn't plan for traffic problems and "getting lost" and refuses to outlay the extra $100 per person doesn't have my sympathy. I don't even believe this is a real post, because it sounds so dopey.
Conde Nast Traveler wouldn't waste their time on such a ridiculous complaint. The idea that airlines should waive their nonrefundable rules for any passenger that has traffic problems or "gets lost", even if they call on the phone to say they are having traffic problems (oh yeah, like no one could ever lie about that) is not very reasonable. This is a typical case of someone violating rules (partly through their own fault, such as the getting lost part) which were clearly stated when they bought discount tickets and then whining because they don't get special treatment compared to everyone else.
Somebody who has to travel that distance to a flight with a lot of people on a major vacation who doesn't plan for traffic problems and "getting lost" and refuses to outlay the extra $100 per person doesn't have my sympathy. I don't even believe this is a real post, because it sounds so dopey.
Conde Nast Traveler wouldn't waste their time on such a ridiculous complaint. The idea that airlines should waive their nonrefundable rules for any passenger that has traffic problems or "gets lost", even if they call on the phone to say they are having traffic problems (oh yeah, like no one could ever lie about that) is not very reasonable. This is a typical case of someone violating rules (partly through their own fault, such as the getting lost part) which were clearly stated when they bought discount tickets and then whining because they don't get special treatment compared to everyone else.
Nov 17th, 2002, 07:07 AM
#23
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Jimbo, I don't know what airline you've been flying on lately but from a road warrior, most flights ARE NOT half empty. In fact, quite the opposite, most are oversold.
How about some personal responsiblity from Guy? Find it pathetic that he can't state it was his fault he missed the flight and wants to bad mouth USAir for following procedure?
He's like the little kid who gets into trouble and then whines that it isn't his fault.
And what kind of asshole would want a business as large as USAir that employs over a hundred thousand people, to go under?
How about some personal responsiblity from Guy? Find it pathetic that he can't state it was his fault he missed the flight and wants to bad mouth USAir for following procedure?
He's like the little kid who gets into trouble and then whines that it isn't his fault.
And what kind of asshole would want a business as large as USAir that employs over a hundred thousand people, to go under?
Nov 17th, 2002, 08:12 AM
#24
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Thanks for all the interesting responses!
They would not let my family fly for a hundred dollar fee. That only works up to two hours after and before the flight leaves. I was told that effective two hours and one miniute after the flight leaves the gate, if you are not checked in, the ticket is absolutely worthless!
We lost over a $1000.00 and a number of Priceline reservation hotel rooms.
They would not let my family fly for a hundred dollar fee. That only works up to two hours after and before the flight leaves. I was told that effective two hours and one miniute after the flight leaves the gate, if you are not checked in, the ticket is absolutely worthless!
We lost over a $1000.00 and a number of Priceline reservation hotel rooms.
Nov 17th, 2002, 08:55 AM
#25
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Here's where I think most people are having problems with your post, Guy.
The math is just all wrong.
You say your trip ended up taking you 5 hours, which made you 2 and a 1/2 hours late. But you also say the trip should have taken 2 hours anyway. In that case, under the best case scenario-had you not gotten lost and hit traffic- you would have arrived only 1/2 hour before take-off.
Even prior to 9/11 that would have been cutting it too close. And especially now, everyone advises that you arrive at least 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours prior to take-off. Plus, on top of that, everyone knows that when travelling to congested airports you always have to allow additional time for traffic, accidents, etc. So you should have planned to leave at least 4 hours prior to your take-off time. If you had, and it had taken you the same 5 hours, you would still have missed your plane, but at least been within the 2-hour window to allow you to fly for the $100 additional fee.
What it seems to boil down to is that you thought you could leave it to the last minute and just zoom in. You gambled and lost, and now are mad at the airlines. Yes, I agree that you were treated harshly, and it's very unfortunate, but I think if you look back over your timing, you'll see that people aren't being terribly sympathetic to your cause because you played a big part in your own misfortune and won't admit to it.
The math is just all wrong.
You say your trip ended up taking you 5 hours, which made you 2 and a 1/2 hours late. But you also say the trip should have taken 2 hours anyway. In that case, under the best case scenario-had you not gotten lost and hit traffic- you would have arrived only 1/2 hour before take-off.
Even prior to 9/11 that would have been cutting it too close. And especially now, everyone advises that you arrive at least 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours prior to take-off. Plus, on top of that, everyone knows that when travelling to congested airports you always have to allow additional time for traffic, accidents, etc. So you should have planned to leave at least 4 hours prior to your take-off time. If you had, and it had taken you the same 5 hours, you would still have missed your plane, but at least been within the 2-hour window to allow you to fly for the $100 additional fee.
What it seems to boil down to is that you thought you could leave it to the last minute and just zoom in. You gambled and lost, and now are mad at the airlines. Yes, I agree that you were treated harshly, and it's very unfortunate, but I think if you look back over your timing, you'll see that people aren't being terribly sympathetic to your cause because you played a big part in your own misfortune and won't admit to it.
Nov 17th, 2002, 08:57 AM
#26
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Hey, Guy, thought maybe you'd left. Why don't you let us know why you originally planned to be at the airport only 30 minutes before flight time? Since you said the 2 hour trip took 5 hours, and you've confirmed that the flight was gone 2 1/2 hours before you got there, your original calculations would have only allowed 30 minutes. With a two hour drive, that just doesn't make much sense.
Nov 17th, 2002, 09:16 AM
#29
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Christina, do you work for Conde Nast Traveler? How do you know they wouldn't address guys so called "ridiculous complaint". I've seen people complain because jewelry was stolen from their hotel room when they didn't even put it in the safe (talk about personal irresponsibility), and Conde Nast not only took their case put got some compensation from the hotel!
I happen to have some compassion for guy and think he really got the raw end here. You know there have been incredible traffic jams and delays that could cause just such a situation, you can't really expect people to get to the airport a day ahead of time. And all the people chiding him for buying non refundable tickets, excuse me, but maybe that's all some people can afford for a family trip. Paying twice the lowest fare for a family of 4 isn't always in the cards. It's a different ballgame when the company isn't paying for your fully refundable ticket. It's easy to say "Well don't be cheap, just pay $700 instead of $200 for each of those 4 tickets." Uh, come out of that dreamworld some of you are living in. You can't really think most people can afford to buy those types of tickets for their family vacations, can you?
Or do you think people who can't afford it should just not be allowed to fly?
I happen to have some compassion for guy and think he really got the raw end here. You know there have been incredible traffic jams and delays that could cause just such a situation, you can't really expect people to get to the airport a day ahead of time. And all the people chiding him for buying non refundable tickets, excuse me, but maybe that's all some people can afford for a family trip. Paying twice the lowest fare for a family of 4 isn't always in the cards. It's a different ballgame when the company isn't paying for your fully refundable ticket. It's easy to say "Well don't be cheap, just pay $700 instead of $200 for each of those 4 tickets." Uh, come out of that dreamworld some of you are living in. You can't really think most people can afford to buy those types of tickets for their family vacations, can you?
Or do you think people who can't afford it should just not be allowed to fly?
Nov 17th, 2002, 09:47 AM
#31
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Nina, I don't have any argument with you about the nonrefundable aspect of the ticket in that most of us couldn't even contemplate flying if we had to buy unrestricted tickets. But you're ignoring the whole time allotment issue. Especially knowing that the tickets were nonrefundable, what would be the justification for only planning to get to the airport with 30 minutes to spare?
Nov 17th, 2002, 09:52 AM
#32
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Nina, you really miss the point. No one is "chiding" Guy for buying the non-refundable tickets. We all know that is probably the only affordable ticket to buy for most travelers and there is nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is buying that ticket and then expecting the same rules that come with the more expensive tickets.
Sort of like buying a Honda and then demanding that it have all the extras that come with a Mercedes.
Sort of like buying a Honda and then demanding that it have all the extras that come with a Mercedes.
Nov 17th, 2002, 09:56 AM
#33
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I have to side with Judy on this one. I don't think Conde Naste would look at it either. No extenuating circumstances. If it were due to a family emergency then maybe but traffic? Come on Nina, you are well traveled person. Millions of people every day buy bottom tier tickets and book rooms through priceline and are able to get to the airport on time. If Guy had shown some personal responsibility, I'd have more sympathy.
Nov 17th, 2002, 10:21 AM
#34
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I have a nephew who always cuts his flight departure time so closely, that one day this is going to happen to him! I feel bad for you, Guy, but you simply didn't allow enough time.........I don't think you'll get relief, but I wouldn't be above writing a pleading, begging letter to the airline. It can't hurt! Good luck!
Nov 17th, 2002, 10:30 AM
#35
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OK, I definitely stand corrected. I didn't realize he was cutting it that close. I try to arrive an hour and a half early since we fly out of NY, and you never know what kind of traffic you'll encounter. Had he even aimed for an hour early I suppose he would have made the 2 hour post flight cutoff.
I guess he'll leave a lot earlier next time.
I guess he'll leave a lot earlier next time.
Nov 17th, 2002, 11:33 AM
#36
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Since 9/11 the airlines have requested that passengers arrive at least two (2) hours prior to takeoff. When you couple that with a jaunt from York down to Dulles you're driving through a lot of heavy traffic. For all we know it might have been when traffic was shut down on at least 6 occasions because of the snipers in the Washington/VA area. At best, York to Dulles/Reston is a two hour trip and that is truly under the best conditions. In hindsight, you may have been better off taking a hotel near Dulles the night before. It does sound like you were running late from the start but I do think I'd try to talk with USAirways customer service and they may help you out a bit.
Nov 17th, 2002, 12:23 PM
#37
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Actually the airlines have relaxed the 2 hour domestic recommendation since they seem to have smoothed out security checks.
They now officially request (not require) arrival 1 hour prior for domestic and 2 hours for international travel. I remember shortly after 9/11 they wanted you there 2 hours prior for domestic flights and 3 hours for international, which sometimes made certain trips slower to fly than to drive to.
Official cut off times to check-in vary by airline anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour prior to departure, depending on the airline.
They now officially request (not require) arrival 1 hour prior for domestic and 2 hours for international travel. I remember shortly after 9/11 they wanted you there 2 hours prior for domestic flights and 3 hours for international, which sometimes made certain trips slower to fly than to drive to.
Official cut off times to check-in vary by airline anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour prior to departure, depending on the airline.
Nov 17th, 2002, 12:34 PM
#38
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Guy I'm confused... If you live in York why didn't you fly out of BWI??? Its hours closer and far less of a hassle. Even when I lived in NoVa. I preferred BWI. I missed a flight this past June from Nantucket to NYC on USAir. USAir simply asked CapeAir if they had room, they did and I ended up with a better connection but honestly I didn't pay a dollar more because of it.
Nov 17th, 2002, 12:39 PM
#39
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Hi again, something just doesn't seem right here. Even if Guy did err I'm not sure USAir did everything it could have. I didn't use a USAir ticket last year to Jackson, Miss but I was still able to apply that ticket to a future ticket. I remember I had up to a year after the purchase date NOT the travel date to do so. Unless this was some feat on American Express Platinum travel it seemed pretty standard policy to me?
Nov 17th, 2002, 12:53 PM
#40
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Jim, the operative part of your post is that your situation occurred "last year." Most airlines have adopted stricter new regulations that change everything. And that is what Guy got caught up in.
But even so, had he still missed the plane but arrive within two hours after, he would have had other options. The key here is that he made a choice to not allow himself enough time to get to the airport. Hey, look at his handle: LASTMIN.com. It says it all!
But even so, had he still missed the plane but arrive within two hours after, he would have had other options. The key here is that he made a choice to not allow himself enough time to get to the airport. Hey, look at his handle: LASTMIN.com. It says it all!
