[Bummed in MI]

I can't get through via phone to this airline.

Regarding a flight on Fri. Jan. 13th. Arrived to airport at 11:30 am for our 1:30 departure. Upon arrival-nearly at he door of the airport we were asked where we going...they told us the airport was "closed due to weather". (we drove nearly 2 hours...not too bad!). I asked if they could help us obtain other arrangements or a refund, I was told to call a number (that she provided). I have called that number now for TEN days at all hours only to get disconnected after many recorded messages. Today I called the Kalamazoo Airport. They were helpful in giving me a few direct phone numbers and the time to call...between noon and 2! I did just as he said and both numbers rang a million times and then simply disconnected me. The airport also told me they were NOT closed on January 13th, or any other day! They have $800 of my money and I really want it back. Does anyone have any input on what to do? I'm not a traveler...fly maybe once every decade! I was going to visit my aging grandparents, I pray that wasn't my last opportunity!

[azstar]

Sounds like fraud. Try contacting your state's Attorney General's office. They can be very helpful in a situation like this. Your other option is to sue in small claims court. The airline, most likely, won't show up and you'll win by default.

[Wanda]

Flight of 13 Jan 12 to Punta Gorda, FL out of Kalamazoo abruptly cancelled 2 hours prior to departure due to weather. We were told entire flight would be rescheduled in 23-48 hours, new plane & crew to be assigned. We were to call in later in the day for revised flight confirmation. This would turn out to be a lie.

After calling for 9 hours, and getting busy signal, we were finally told no plane was to be sent in to replace our cancelled flight, no refund given and could not get us on another flight until 3 days later, after our cruise had started.

No attempt was made to rebook us on another airline for a timely arrival to our destination. We purhased one way tickets on another, more reputable airline to make our cruise.

We were offered a voucher, which would only be good until April 12th as our tickets had been purchased in April 2011. We asked to have the vouchers extended and were refused. Refund was refused.

The return ticket we did use, flight arrived in Kalamazoo 45 minutes late. And selling coffee and water on-board for $1.00 each is absurd.

We will never fly Direct Air again, and are warning our friends and business partners about the poor customer service we experienced. Sometimes flying cheap isn't worth the grief.

[jimworcs]

I would consider small claims court for your one way tickets. The airline breached your contract... you are not entitled to be compensated as the weather was the cause, but you most definitely should be entitled to reimbursement due to their inability to deliver the service purchased. No court would find it reasonable for you to miss your cruise in order to take up the alternative.

[SMF]

I purchased 2 Family Ties Vouchers from Direct Air. These are open ended tickets that can be booked in anyone's name.

My husband and I cannot use them so my friend was going to buy the vouchers and book them for her daughter and a friend. She tried for 6 days on a daily basis to call direct air with no success. She then went to the website where they advise you to put in your dates(2 choices) and they will get back to you. She waited 7 days and no response to her online request. She then started calling again. After redialing 56 times someone finally came on the line. The agent was very nasty and told her they didn't have dates available for her.

I then wrote an online complaint and received a call back 4 days later. I was told there are no flights available to Florida at all before 4/30/12 when the vouchers expire and that there are a few to Myrtle Beach. I have spent the entire day today trying to contact Direct Air to book those vouchers. I have dialed the number over 70 times and get a message all agents are busy or all circuits are busy. Only once was I told to hold for the next agent at which point I spent 40 minutes on hold with no one ever answering.

I have spent $338 on these vouchers and I believe I will lose that entire amount. I cannot extend them, I cannot book them for myself and I cannot sell them to anyone. This is a total rip-off by this company and I will be reporting them to the Better Business Bureau and to the Attorney General's office for the State of New York.

I suspect that they sell these vouchers, take your money and do not make enough seats available to accommodate the purchaser or they make it so difficult for you to book the flight that you finally give up as the expiration date is fast approaching.

Does anyone have any idea what to try next?

[Wanda]

I contacted the FAA, they have a consumer complaints division. The FAA contacted Direct Air about my complaint. We received a refund on 3/12/12.
Good thing we immediately cashed the check as Direct Air suspended all flights 1 day later.