[ragstoy]

Purchased a specific itinerary from Cheap Air on US Air to avoid long layovers for my son and his sons. Week of flight, he was notified that a change meant his flight from HDN, to DEN to PHX to KOA had dropped the DEN to PHX leg and it would be necessary for him to find a way to get to GRJ to catch the PHX flight. We live 220 miles from Denver and 175 miles from Grand Junction. I specifically paid extra for flight out of Hayden, which is 17 miles from home. He ended up driving to GJ - overnite stay with meals in order to catch the PHX flight. I believe that I am owed a refund for extra cost of local departure that couldn't happen.
Then when time to come back from KOA, received email with new flight details indicating the US Air flights had changed to United for trip home. When arrived at Kona airport 2 hrs. before flight they were told that United did not have reservations for them as indicated. Were sent to US Air counter to be told that reservation had been changed to United. Ultimate insult came when told no seats available except for first class and clerk was not authorized to upgrade them, so guess it was best for airline to fly with the 3 empty seats rather than accommodating 3 passengers who were supposed to have been booked on the flight? Was told to call Cheap Air and received a recording saying they were closed and call back during working hours (on east coast). Had purchased insurance, but when called them, was told it didn't apply to this situation. I assume they would have spent the night in the open air airport until next day when were rebooked on next night's flight. Fortunately, I (mother) was still in a condo with a rental car, so took them back to Waikoloa for the night and brought back the next night. Upon checking in they were told that flight was couple hours late and all connections had to be rebooked with long layovers and not arriving til late afternoon back to Hayden. After losing an extra day of work and school, my son said "never again". I feel that someone owes me for failure to provide the itinerary I paid for. It's interesting that Cheap Air is blaming the two airlines, and they are blaming Cheap Air. I will never use Cheap Air (which was NOT cheapest flight I could get) and am hoping that another carrier will come on line for my future flights to Hawaii.

[AADFW]

And you posted this in the American Airlines section why?

[jimworcs]

How ridiculous would it sound if ALL car dealerships had a contract which stated that after you had paid for your car, but before they delivered it, they could switch the vehicle spec at their discretion and you could do nothing about it and furthermore, if the spec of the vehicle was lower than you paid for, there is no refund.

Why do we accept this from airlines? Why are those contracts even considered fair and legal?

There are endless complaints on here of people who paid more for a specific itinerary, or for a direct flight, or who were avoiding layovers... only to find that the airline then switched them at short notice and they had no choice but to accept the change. It is not acceptable for an airline to make a switch and then offer you take it, or leave it, with a refund. By the time the switch is made, this passenger has been materially disadvantaged and can no longer get the savings required for advance purchase.

If the airline makes a material change, they should be required by law to place you on the next closest itinerary (even if this is with another carrier). If the next closest itinerary would have been cheaper at the time you made the booking, they should also be required to refund the difference.

PS... it is a mystery why people find it so hard to put the right post under the right airline. I used to moderate this board as a volunteer, and I spent a good portion of the time moving posts to the right place. Sadly the owners of the site wanted me to self censor my comments for the priviledge of helping to moderate their board and I found that unacceptable and gave it up, but it would help everyone if people just paid a bit of attention before posting!!

[AirlineSympathizer]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

How ridiculous would it sound if ALL car dealerships had a contract which stated that after you had paid for your car, but before they delivered it, they could switch the vehicle spec at their discretion

Don't look now jim - they do. Rental car companies, that is. No car is for sure. They may "class" some as the same, but no one would think they belong together.

[The_Judge]

i usually pay for my rental car upon returning it, not when making the initial res. Also, I think we all know Jimbo was referring to purchasing a new car.

[jimworcs]

Jimbo was indeed referring to car sales...don't even get me started on car rental companies, they are possibly even more nefarious than the airlines!

[allwrappedup]

Please reconsider even if they are cheaper they will leave you stranded and mess up the plans even if you have booked way in advance.
Got an email 2 hrs(at airport as suppose to be) before leaving of a 3 hr delay time at airport tried to get on the flight going out before to the same place which left fine!
Flight then cancelled and no placement available on another flight for 2 days. If I buy another seat on another airline it was 200 to 300 more last minute.
At airport rep said we would get refund, followed with phone call next day rep. said saw the issue and would get a refund for both tickets. Wrote time and reps name who were friendly and seemed well informed. Looked on website for refund status 3 day no record of imput for credit and rep. said it is nonrefundable??
I input the info myself and now show at least its in the system.
Will post follow up....missed wedding and requested refund for the ticket home that I lost. I will not book again even if they are cheaper in the long run more headaches and money. I fly of alot and I book trips often for others, this is by far the worst airline and they give very hidden numbers to call etc. to resolve issues.
Be forwarned!!!

[AirlineSympathizer]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

Jimbo was indeed referring to car sales...don't even get me started on car rental companies, they are possibly even more nefarious than the airlines!

Right, but that's silly. You're comparing a service to an asset purchase.