[pattis]

First of all...know for sure what you are doing and the time you will be getting in before you purchase ticket. It is not airlines fault you did not think of this ahead of time. Furthermore, why did you just make a whole new reservation and a hotel reservation without talking to an agent first? Not a real smart move. Also, if you had not shown up for flight 1881, yes you would have most likely had to pay a penalty. If someone shows up for a flight late and we have to put them on next flight, there is a $100 penalty. Actually , there is a $100 penalty plus the fare difference if same class of service is not available. However, we usually only charge the penalty fare. Just FYI, if you had deliberatly missed that flight (1881) and showed up the next day, Delta (or any airline) is under no obligation to have to put you on the next flight. What if there were no seats available? Certainly they will not put you on another carrier, even a code share if it was due to fault of your own. You losing the no show hotel room fee was your own doing.