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Hi..posted this in another thread, but wanted to get opinions on this...

well, we just got hosed by the airline....

Before I begin, just to clarify, we are heartful to the people who lost so much during this hurricane and are not whining of our own misfortune..however.....


Midwest Airlines called us to let us know that our flight was cancelled. They are not flying into New Orleans at this time, however may resume come next year.

We booked our flight for $166 each, which they graciously credited...HOWEVER, they did not give us any other options...

so, if they resume flights into New Orleans and fly there during our originally scheduled flight, we have to rebook and it will probably be much higher than the $166. They wouldn't even just hold our reservation in the event they resume flights...this just doesn't seem right....

They even said they would waive the administration fees to rebook....like that was a favor or something....they were the ones who cancelled not us...the way I see it, we should charge them 100.00 fee for change like they have no problem doing to us at any given time...

As for the hurricane, yes it was an act of God and we do feel bad for everyone involved..however, if the airline resumes flights and has them listed even at $167.00 (which it will probably be like $400.00 anyway)...you better bet they will be hearing from us again....that is taking advantage of a misfortunate situation if you ask me..

Maybe we are jumping to conclusions, but only time will tell what really happens..

any thoughts?

With so many airlines filing for Chapter 11 right now, I'd be happy just to get the money back.

Not sure if you watch The Daily Show, but he had a funny comment the other night. The first two planes to arrive in New Orleans (Delta and Northwest) both filed for Chapter 11 that same afternoon.

I'd take the money and run... or put it towards Vegas tickets.

Yah J, I know.... although if they resume flights and have them posted for those dates in February, there will be something said.... guess we will see...

It was Eric's money anyway, and he already did invest in Vegas tickets before this...maybe that was the ironic way to tell him that he can't have both LOL..you never know

They are still snakes though!

Sorry, but I dont see why you are angry..... you got your money back. Which is actually a miracle! If you read the fine print.... acts of nature are not under their control and therefore do not qualify for a refund. That would include weather issues.

When we flew home from Jamaica and our plane had a little wind issue upon approaching Tampa... we were wisked back to Miami with 2 choices.... wait for another flight that had room (at least 24 hrs..) OR find another way to Tampa, "but we cannot unload your luggage"!) We opted to rent a car at our own expense and drive 4 hrs home and picked our luggage up the next afternoon. I wrote the airlines asking for credit for the flight that never landed...and was basically told... too bad so sad its weather and out of our control!

finsupnorth wrote:the way I see it, we should charge them 100.00 fee for change like they have no problem doing to us at any given time...

Now THAT is a fantastic idea!

It's not like the airline bumped you (at the discounted fare) and seated a full-fare passenger in your place. The entire flight was cancelled -- and you got a refund. The full-fare passengers (if any) got more money back than you did. Is that unfair too?

I know, we have been in that circumstance also...

Like I said, maybe we are jumping to conclusions, but they made it sound like they will resume flights....if that is the case, they shouldn't be able to make everyone rebook at a much higher price after cancelling originally. we will wait and see...

The whole airline industry is a scary thing actually - prices up and down, bankrupcies and the dependency that everyone has put on them over the years...

fins... I agree it seems unfair. I am just guessing here...but they obviously would want you to think that they will resume flights... so you'll come back to them... but legally, I don't think they can sell something that isnt scheduled. It would be nice if they could offer a discount coupon or something that allows the same price fair if and when they resume service to NOLA.... but like you said, we are dealing with a very unsturdy business.

I was thinking.... when service resumes in NOLA.... I bet the fairs will be cheap to attract people in... just a hunch!

ToplessRideFL wrote:fins... I agree it seems unfair. I am just guessing here...but they obviously would want you to think that they will resume flights... so you'll come back to them... but legally, I don't think they can sell something that isnt scheduled. It would be nice if they could offer a discount coupon or something that allows the same price fair if and when they resume service to NOLA.... but like you said, we are dealing with a very unsturdy business.

I was thinking.... when service resumes in NOLA.... I bet the fairs will be cheap to attract people in... just a hunch!

hope you are right, but it is Mardi Gras....we will see...

even just a notation in their records that if they resume, we could get the same price, but we were hypothetical with them:

Us: "so if you resume and the price is $400.00, we pay the $400.00 minus the $166 credit"
Them: Yes. But we will not charge you the administration fee to change your flight...
Us: But we didn't change the flight, you cancelled it and we should be able to get it reinstated for the same price we originally paid...

Anyway, I am not going to worry about it until the time comes, but we will be watching and if they do offer flights and they are more....they will be getting a lot of "extra" money from anyone who needed to rebook....Hope that is not the case, but I am sure it is possible...

good thing we are going out for drinks tonight! I need one.... (I tend to get worked up easily sometimes)...

If it makes you feel any better, I bought might Vegas ticket back in June. I decided to stay an extra day so I booked another ticket this past Monday. The airfare went up less than 1.5%. Either Delta hasn't calculated the higher fuel cost or its rather miniscule.

land_shark3 wrote:If it makes you feel any better, I bought might Vegas ticket back in June. I decided to stay an extra day so I booked another ticket this past Monday. The airfare went up less than 1.5%. Either Delta hasn't calculated the higher fuel cost or its rather miniscule.

what would make me feel better is if you booked a Vegas ticket for me LOL

I am sorry your plans aren't working out thus far...
but what is happening with your "re-booking" is standard business procedure with most ALL airlines.

Case in point, I had a holiday booked for Seattle scheduled to leave Oct. 8, 2001
with Alaska Airlines, $219 RT. After 9/11, and all the initial national shock to our economy, I was determined to travel anyway...
("Don't let the terrorists win").. but the incredible security paranoia in the airports (3-4 hour preflight security)
just made it too ridiculous on my itinerary to try to "enjoy" my time off.

I called the airline and they gave me the same offer you got from Midwest.

At first I was P.O.'d that I was probably going to have to face a higher fare, but the next summer, I was surprised to find that there were fares actually lower!
but then...the airline then informed me that that was only a promotional fare not eligible for a credited pre-purchase like mine!

Despite this... all ended OK, i think. They accepted my credit straight across..no additional costs.. and I had a really cool stay in the northwest.

With a little luck, it can still work out!

Yah, those vouchers are another thing....you give up your seat, or something happens and you get a voucher...then when you try to use that voucher, it is rarely useful.....

It just doesn't seem fair, but I guess if ALL of the airlines do it, they have no worries about customer service retention...

I guess it doesn't pay to be a good guy...

I am going to go the casino tonight, hit it big and start my own airline....here are the rules:

1. If you book a flight and the price drops 2 weeks before your flight, you receive the discounted price. (they do this in stores)

2. You can purchase a booklet of 10 round trip tickets to be used within 3 years for the price of $1500.00.

3. If you have a ticket and want to fly sooner to the same place, if there are seats available, go ahead.

4. If there are seats available for a flight the next day, you can have that flight for $50.00.

5. Bring your own drinks, food, etc...we are not going to charge you extra fees and try to tell you that the can of warm coke you are getting and the bag of peanuts was worth the $75.00 upcharge for the ticket.

6. If we screw up your reservations or send you to the wrong state, here are 2 free round trip tickets to anywhere you want to go within 2 years, just call us the day before so we can make room in our first class for you.

**Yes, I may be bankrupt in a few months, but maybe, just maybe I would get more business and not have half-full flights that cost the same to fly to the same place it is going than it would if I had more people (minus the weight factor).


OK, just being stupid, but I can dream...

Besides, I just can't work today and am bored and can't concentrate...

LadyParrothead is in town and we are taking her out to dinner tonight and for some drinks....can't wait!

(sung to the Everly Brothers' Dream...)

Dree-e-e-e-eam, dream, dream, dree-am
Dree-e-e-e-eam, dream, dream, dree-am

If I could run an airline... All I have to do is...
Dree-e-e-e-eam, dream, dream, dree-am

"The way of the future, the way of the future, the way of the future"

(Have to see the Aviator to get it..)

Its easy to make a small fortune in the airline business, start with a large one!

Given that Midwest isn't in the best shape and that it's been fighting to survive I would be overjoyed getting my money back and not worry too much about what the price might be later in the year. While you may be able to get cheap airfare, lodging in New Orleans may be more difficult given the number of hotels damaged and the number that are currently being used to house displaced citizens of the city.

I won't argue that airline policies and pricing make little if any sense and I wouldn't expect it to change anytime soon.

finsupnorth wrote:what would make me feel better is if you booked a Vegas ticket for me LOL

You know I would, but... I'm sure there are certainly cheaper airfares from other parts of the country. I know its pretty cheap out of OKC; maybe you should hit up CRC for a free ticket.

land_shark3 wrote:

finsupnorth wrote:what would make me feel better is if you booked a Vegas ticket for me LOL

You know I would, but... I'm sure there are certainly cheaper airfares from other parts of the country. I know its pretty cheap out of OKC; maybe you should hit up CRC for a free ticket.

Good idea...I haven't seen her in a long time...as a matter of fact, I think my boyfriend took her out last time I heard from her....I think she owes me at least that

finsupnorth wrote:1. If you book a flight and the price drops 2 weeks before your flight, you receive the discounted price. (they do this in stores)

Pay full fare and you can do that now.

finsupnorth wrote:2. You can purchase a booklet of 10 round trip tickets to be used within 3 years for the price of $1500.00.

Australian airlines do this now. You pay by the "zone". I want to say Air Tran or Southwest tried that here.

finsupnorth wrote:3. If you have a ticket and want to fly sooner to the same place, if there are seats available, go ahead.

Once again, full fare.

finsupnorth wrote:5. Bring your own drinks, food, etc...we are not going to charge you extra fees and try to tell you that the can of warm coke you are getting and the bag of peanuts was worth the $75.00 upcharge for the ticket.

What airline doesn't let you bring food on? Delta actually encourages their patrons to bring food.

So where do I book my ticket for "Money Bags Airline" or is it "Dream Big Airline"?

You just have to be difficult don't you...

Well, the only flights right now run between Marshfield, WI (which doesn't even have a real airport) and Kansas City...

I am sure it will expand as soon as Buffett releases more concert dates or more BN have events...

The airline is only for that actually....BN gatherings and Buffett concerts....

Hell, while I'm at it....it only takes 5 minutes to get to any destination also and they will pick you up at your house.....

Why do I feel like a 10 year old again?