Help explaining Airline Charges

[RinconRyder]

First, you should ASK and not assume.

It never hurts to ask of course but wifey confirmed last night she does not know of any scheduled (domestic) airline that does things differently and she has been working the rez desk for over 15 years (with three different airlines).

 

[canamjhb]

It never hurts to ask of course but wifey confirmed last night she does not know of any scheduled (domestic) airline that does things differently and she has been working the rez desk for over 15 years (with three different airlines).

Thanks for the education. We appreciate getting information from knowledgeable sources. Next time we will do things differently.

 

[RinconRyder]

Thanks for the education. We appreciate getting information from knowledgeable sources. Next time we will do things differently.

Feel free to give a holler before buying tickets next time and wifey can provide up-front info.

 

[Fat Baxter]

Write to your local Better Business Bureau. They get a lot of complaints about everything, so maybe they know a way to tickle the system. Make sure you tell them you were traveling due to a death in the family; that may open some doors.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Most businesses will react to a story that gets them bad publicity (but as big and impersonal as the airlines are, maybe not).

Did you charge this to your credit card? If so, call them and tell them you didn't get the service you paid for, and you want your money back. Depending on airline rules (per RinconRyder above), you may not, but at least you can try to get your credit card company to go to bat for you.

If you have the energy and determination, write your Congresscritter. Remind him/her/it gently that Congress created this monster when they deregulated them, and his/her/its action/inaction may be a factor during the next election.

And, stories like this is why I prefer to drive everywhere regardless of time involved.

 

[Easy Rider]

It never hurts to ask of course ...............

Right answer, wrong question.

The people involved here seemed to NOT know what the policy was at all.......and assumed that the return ticket would still be good......and it wasn't.

I think there are some differences recently. Pretty sure that some airlines do not book "round trip" flights at all anymore and this might be part of the reason. If you book two separate one way tickets, then not using the first one should not affect the second.

 

[Easy Rider]

Write to your local Better Business Bureau.

I guess you missed the part about ALL the airlines doing it that way ?
And that has been true for a LONG time.

Seems like what you propose is a GROSS over-reaction.
One needs to pick your battles......and this one seems like a no-win situation.

Have you ever actually done all of that over something worth only a couple of hundred dollars ??

 

[RinconRyder]

Right answer, wrong question.

The people involved here seemed to NOT know what the policy was at all.......and assumed that the return ticket would still be good......and it wasn't.

I think there are some differences recently. Pretty sure that some airlines do not book "round trip" flights at all anymore and this might be part of the reason. If you book two separate one way tickets, then not using the first one should not affect the second.

I reviewed this with the wifey and she said that American Airlines has just issued a new policy regarding these types of events and that regular agents now have increased latitude to refund tickets or make other adjustments. This may also be true at other airlines since they generally have a follow the leader mentality.

As for your "airlines not issuing round trip tickets anymore".....incorrect. They all do. They will never pass up the possibility to get more money out of you once they have you on their website or phone. That is why they generally price round trip tix slightly below two one-way tix - so that you will be enticed to buy the RT.

You are correct though to say a one way ticket status will not affect another one way trip. This happens only on RT's (or flights with multiple legs).

 

[johnsimion]

I guess you missed the part about ALL the airlines doing it that way ?
And that has been true for a LONG time.

Seems like what you propose is a GROSS over-reaction.
One needs to pick your battles......and this one seems like a no-win situation.

Have you ever actually done all of that over something worth only a couple of hundred dollars ??

ER, I agree that all the airlines do this ... and I agree this is probably a no-win situation. Filing a complaint with the BBB, however, is not a "GROSS" overreaction. It's a normal reaction to want to do something when you've been screwed over by some arcane rule and you're frustrated. And I myself have used the BBB numerous times for a "couple of hundred dollars." Sometimes you file with the BBB just over the principle of the thing, to try to generate some "better business" instead of just bending over and taking it in the shorts. Do it would accomplish anything in this situation? Probably not, but what does it cost to try? Maybe the airline will issue some kind of credit, you don't know. And anyway, if enough people file complaints with the BBB for stuff like this, eventually the airlines might become a little more consumer-friendly.

 

[UtahPete]

There is one solution to the airline-related issues...

I can honestly say I have not, in the last 10 years, been subject to over-charges, special fees, over-booking, cramped seats, undignified personal searches, delays, sleepovers in airports, or any of the other problems mentioned on this thread.

That's because I decided 10 years ago I was not going anywhere on an airplane ever again. Personal choice, I know, and it does involve some compromises, but I haven't missed the aggravation one bit.

 

[stillriding]

simple explanation..... GREED.... not good business ... but it seems to be the new way of doing business..[/QUOTEYep...just like my cable TV provider!

 

[UtahPete]

simple explanation..... GREED.... not good business ... but it seems to be the new way of doing business..[/QUOTEYep...just like my cable TV provider!

Cut the cord. nojoke

 

[RinconRyder]

I can honestly say I have not, in the last 10 years, been subject to over-charges, special fees, over-booking, cramped seats, undignified personal searches, delays, sleepovers in airports, or any of the other problems mentioned on this thread.

That's because I decided 10 years ago I was not going anywhere on an airplane ever again. Personal choice, I know, and it does involve some compromises, but I haven't missed the aggravation one bit.

As the spouse of an airline employee I have "free" passage anywhere AA flies and almost "free" on other airlines but the last trip I took was in 2002. I feel about airline travel as you do and will do anything to avoid flying.