Jeff

Had tix to go to Vegas on Nov. 15 on Nat'l Airlines. Of course they go out of business and won't issue refund. Credit card company told me to send them a letter with details and they will see what they can do. America West has offered to fly me stand-by on the same days, but since I found a fare with America West that wasn't much higher I figured it would be safer to just buy that, rather than fly stand-by. Hopefully I can get my refund on the National Air tickets. Just bad luck I guess. Anyone else get screwed?

xxx

Hmmn. Let's see. You booked on a cheapie instead of one of the majors the cheapie went belly up and you are bitching. Other airlines will honor the ticket. You get what you pay for.

Hal

I just love people like you who complain. People like you complain the majors are too expensive and when something happens with the upstart you complain about it.

TA

This isn't a Major vs Cheapie Airline issue at all! United is one of the largest airlines in the WORLD, and they are in BIG BIG trouble. In fact, all the Majors are hurting. Southwest, a cheapie, has been one of the very few airlines that isn't haveing major issues and bordering on bankruptcy. You take the risk everytime you fly that this could happen, but you can't let it detour you from travel. When one airline goes bankrupt, you are usually honored on another, but it isn't anything you are entittled to.

Ann

TA, bankruptcy does not mean an airline will go out of business. Usually, they will simply restructure and continue on as usual.

TA

Thank you for the correction, I was meaning to say bordering on ceasing operations...

madge

Your best bet is to go the credit card refund route. My understanding is that they would be obligated to recredit your account, since you paid for a service which they can no longer provide. The credit card company would then go after National in your place. Did you use American Express?

x

It's interesting how some people criticize others for wanting to save a few bucks. Did you ever think that all you snobs are being taken to the bank by paying much higher fares to fly "major" airlines?

Jason

According to National's original accouncement on their website at 4pmEST yesterday,they 'have arranged for credits' if you paid for your ticket with VISA or MasterCard.Any others, SOL as is the case with cash payments.

Duane

I'm pretty sure your credit card will charge back the amount you paid. I had one instance where I purchased something and then the company went out of business and did not honor the sale. I call the cc, filed a claim, and sent in a letter descibing all the facts. Had no problem getting refunded.

Good luck.

Wendy

Just heard this on the news last night and was dissapointed as I flew National in Sept. and found the airline and staff to be fantastic.

Jeff I also heard that they were aranging credits so you may want to check again.

To those of you with the "I have so much cash I never shop for a bargain" attitude- goody for you! I'm sure Jeff is similar to myself in the fact that I would rather find a great deal on airfare, check priceline for a deal on a room and travel more often vs. only flying the best, staying the best and paying the most so I could talk about how much money I have!

Please people, try to be civil ok?

Wendy

xxx

I shop for my bargains with the major airlines. Saving $20 isn't worth it to me. Plus I get FF miles which I can redeem for free flights! Going to Rome in April on FF miles. Did you save that much on the upstart?

Caroline

Your creditcard company will retreive your monies. Some creditcard companys require more paperwork then others, but in the end, you will be compensated. Buy another ticket on Southwest.

Caroline

Whoops, I mean America West...lol

Sherry

Those who are giving someone a bad time for not flying a "major" are ridiculous. I DO fly major airlines now that I can afford it, but it wasn't so long ago, that I simply could not afford to fly major airlines anywhere. Why would you heckle someone about their inability to fly expensive flights? FYI-- this does not just happen to people who try to save money. I recently bought very expensive furniture when I moved, only to have the well-established company go bankrupt. I'd basically GIVEN away thousands of dollars, and received no furniture. A year and a half later, I got a portion of it back through bankruptcy proceedings. This has nothing to do with someone trying to save money. It has to do with the fact that customers are at the end of the creditor priority list in corporate bankruptcy proceedings, and anyone can get burned, anytime. Those of you giving Jeff a bad time, watch out. What goes around....

What

TA: It is people like you that can lead to mass hysteria. Airlines, including United are having problems, may include fileing for bankruptcy, but they are not in BIG BIG trouble & no where near ceasing operations, even if they do file for bankruptcy. Of course unless people read your diatribe, & believe the sky is falling (Chicken Little) & exit en mass from buying tickets on certain airlines. I agree you do need to be careful in planning some things, but no need for hysteria.

Barbara

UA will file for bankruptcy and it's a serious matter. Ask Eastern, Pan Am, Braniff and others that didn't emerge from bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy will not transform an ailing airline into robust health. At the very least, the airline will contract as UA is already doing. It'd be your luck that the terminated service would be the one you have reservations on.

What

Barbara, Ask Eastern, Pan Am, & Braniff, if their unions were on strike just before or when they filed for bankruptcy. I think you will find that atleast 2 of those airlines had pilots union labor unrest at the time of their bankruptcy. Not like now, when unions & management are now working together to try & work out a solution, not 1 faction against the other.

Winona

Jeff:

National Airlines had been operating under bankruptcy protection for nearly two years, until they finally ceased operations a few days ago.

Take some responsibility for your actions! You gambled on a bankrupt carrier to save a few $$... you rolled the dice, and they came up snake eyes. You didn't "get screwed." And if you didn't know they were a bankrupt carrier, that means you didn't do your homework before purchasing a non-refundable ticket- either way, you should look no further than the mirror if you're looking to blame someone or something.

Probably wouldn't have said anything, but I felt the same way reading this post this morning as I did yesterday at work, when I couldn't believe the number of Winona Ryder apologists... "she thought her assistant would pay," "she didn't make it all the way outside before they stopped her," "they're just after her because she's a celebrity," etc. etc. ad naseum. What in the world happened to personal responsibility in our society?? Why is everyone so quick to look elsewhere for blame? IMHO, one of the foremost signs of maturity is accepting responsibility for one's actions and decisions.

Sherry

To "Winona":

Your little diatribe makes no sense. Winona allegedly STOLE thousands of dollars from a store. Jeff actually PAID for his ticket, and perhaps expected the company not to sell tickets if they were not going to operate. Instead, they have stolen his money, and through bankruptcy proceedings, will probably not have to give him the flight he has paid for. It's the bankruptcy court that will allow the airline not to take responsibility for IT'S own actions. Jeff is simply a paying customer who has been burned. Perhaps corporations should have to take the responsibility for stealing millions from paying customers who expect to actually receive *something* for their money, much as Ryder will have to take responsibility for stealing (I guess) $5,000 in merchandise.