Delta did it to me again! Check your flights!
 

I've been on a streak of bad airline luck. This time, Delta cancelled all the direct flights to FLL. So, instead of coming home in the afternoon after a cruise, they stuck us on flights arriving home after midnight! AND they didn't notify us. After a lot of whining (these were FF tickets) I got them changed, but it wasn't easy. Always check your tickets 2 weeks prior to travel! This is the 4th issue I've had with Delta in 5 months!

I check my flights and my hotel reservations fairly often and always 48 hours and 24 hours ahead of time.

This was my situation for my recent trip to NYC for the marathon.

Made hotel reservations the beginning of March. I actually walked into the hotel and secured the rate (STEAL) of $199 per night for several rooms. Gave CC and everything.

Followed up in June and followed up in August. When I called the beginning of October, they had my reservation but the price was $349 per night. Huh?

Finally after multiple calls, it turns out the hotel switched computer reservation systems and the new system didn't recognize my $199 per night rate and as a courtesy rebooked me at their lowest rate of $349.

The hotel kept paper records and after some searching, they found my original reservations and changed the rate back to $199 (after the hotel AGM so assuredly said, "we've never even offered this rate mam").

Flew Hooters Air out of MYR. I secured an early rate of $199 per person. They too lost my reservations because I had canceled the original credit card I booked on and couldn't find my confirmation number. Another tense 72 hours but they finally found and confirmed.

Carmel Car service could not find my car reservation for airport pick up and drop off. Three different times I called to follow up and all three times I had to rebook.

Only one car picked me up at the airport but we ended up have three cars try and pick us up at the hotel.

Sigh.

this is a good idea llinda...i can't tell you how many times i've heard at work situations like the passenger arrived at the airport on the wrong date ot flight time, or thought they had an e-ticket and thought they could just walk up at check in without passport or info...

I just had a delta flight cancelled as well, but just a few hours before departure time. Luckily we hadn't yet arrived at the airport and returned the rental car. I called while on the way just to see if it was on schedule (from Tucson to SLC). It was cancelled and they put us on one about 5 hrs later. We turned around, had lunch and went to a movie. There really wasn't much else we could do, and fortunately we didn't get stuck at the airport waiting around.

Not only should you check 2 weeks prior, you have to check 2 hrs prior!

I agree with MFNYC. We just returned from Honolulu on Delta. Arrived at the airport two hours ahead after turning in the rental car only to find our flight out was delayed an additional two hours so we spent four hours trapped in the airport waiting around.

Maybe they should movie theaters in airports to help people pass the time when things like this happen.

jnn, movie theaters in airports is a fantastic idea IMO. That would be wonderful!

My advise to you is to use a travel agent. They would be notified by the airline and it would be up to the agent to notify you!

I don't check hotel reservations ever, but just keep copies of my confirmed reservations with the rates, etc. I don't usually make them that far in advance, though. It doesn't seem to do much good if you just keep checking them over and over, you might as well wait until closer to the date, I think.

Everyone has to check airline reservations all the time because flights change so much nowadays, mainly times, but also some cancellations. I just do this online. Everybody should check their flight times periodically. I personally think depending on a travel agent to notify you is pointless, but then you are depending on two people to notify you of changes rather than just checking yourself. It's not that difficult, everyone on here probably has a computer. I'm sure you would be great if it were your travel agent who didn't tell you rather than the airline (and that scenario depends on the airline telling the travel agent, why would they do that any more than you).

I have always had great ideas for businesses in airports due to delays or layovers and really don't understand why they don't exist -- movie theaters was one of mine. It wouldn't have to be a real big one, just one of those smaller ones with smaller screens like they used to have in malls. IN fact, in order to get around the starting time issue, I bet you could have one just sort of like those on-demand movies on cable things -- you could have small cubicles or something with on-demand films to watch, but that would have to charge a lot more. I still think a regular theater could work if they stuck to showing films of 1.5 to 2 hrs.

I also would like a cybercafe, why those don't exist is beyond me. I have seen places for people to hook up their laptops or something if they have a computer, but I don't know why internet cafes don't exist just like in lots of European cities.

The reason I think a theater would not work (although I think it is fantastic in theory) is that most delayed flights are delayed for 15 or 20 minutes. Then 30 more minutes. Then they will make an announcement in 15 more minutes. In the announcement they tell you your originating flight has been held up because of weather but optimistically plan on boarding in 60 minutes.

And you get my drift.

They give you that 120 minute delay in 6 parts.

LOL! Well, at least they have internet in most airports. I can keep myself amused by walking and reading and doing crossword puzzles. Use a travel agent? NEVER. Most of them have never traveled as much as I have and many have little education. I book all the travel for my husband's company and many of my friends. The reason for this post was to warn you about my problems with Delta, which has been our primary carrier for years. It's always good to check reservations and keep copies of all transactions. Also, when you travel in the dead of winter, it's a great idea to have travel insurance!

Do not know how you booked flight, but I have bought tickets from UA and USAirways on-line from their websites and received emails when schedules changes, even if only by 5 or 10 minutes. Heading is always some terrifying thing like "Urgent flight information"