Airlines Steeling Our Money

[GypsmJim]

I rarely rant, but this is just beyond my ability to keep calm.

We are retired and are trying to do fun things while we still have the good health to do the stuff.

Early in 2020 we had 4 vacations planned. ALL were prepaid.
Three were cruises. All had airline flights scheduled because it was necessary to fly to the port. Our biggest disappointment was our planned trip to Alaska, which was a lifetime goal.

Naturally, all 4 trips were cancelled. And we aren't complaining about that because the pandemic affected everybody.

The cruise lines and before and after hotel stays all refunded our money. But **** Airlines merely gave us a "credit". Right now I have thousands of dollars of "credit", but there is a timeline.

So, we decided to have a Spring Vacation, still in the US, where covid isn't rampant, and tests are not required for entry, but the flight schedule involves a "companion carrier", so my "Travel Bank" is not applicable. In other words the **** airline wants even more money from me.

I freely admit that originally I bought non-refundable tickets, but actually the flights ended up being cancelled anyway. Not my fault.

Adding insult to injury the company web site has NO place to reply and ask questions, and even if I wanted to make a reservation, the wait time is 1-2 hours.

I may just take my car and vacation within 200 miles from home.

 

[LVSteve]

Airlines and insurance companies, two industries that have government running scared.

 

[llowry61]

And to boot they have unique non chargeback rules, so even if you charged the tickets on a CC you can't complain to them and have the charges removed and charged back to the airlines.

There is not much you can do, but try to use the credits within the timeline. You might be able to get an extension if you put in the time and effort to get through to them.

You could try complaining to the AG of your state to see if that would move them at all toward a refund. I do not know what state you are in but it is worth a shot. Normally there is a website where you can complaint on-line, like this one for Ohio https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers/File-a-Complaint. It is worth a shot. I know that most companies pay more attention to complaints to regulators than they do from individuals.

Good luck to you !

 

[Jon651]

Anyone else besides me notice that the airlines started charging a "Fuel Surcharge" when oil prices were sky-high, but kept those charges in place when the price of oil dropped precipitously?

Once they start adding those extra fees, they NEVER come off. Grrrr....

 

[GypsmJim]

There is not much you can do, but try to use the credits within the timeline.

That was the plan, but there simply isn't enough time to use them up.

Plus, the place we DID want to go is not accessible by the airline for the last leg of the trip, so they won't accept the credit unless their plane covers the entire route.

Our second idea was to visit my son, but they don't go to that airport.

One thing for sure, once it all expires I'll never fly them again.

 

[Greyman50]

Given up flying few year ago with all the STUPID rules from 911. Consider, having to arrive at airport a hour or more before flight, put up with the idiotic search and equally DUMB questions which takes half a hour, then wait to board A/C, wait again to get airborne.
Just get in your vehicle and cruise up or down interstate, or take the scenic route and really see our country to destination. Then there is the RV.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

I would use the tickets even if I had to fly somewhere just to have lunch.

 

[M29since14]

I like airplanes and flying. I much rather fly than drive a great distance, but that's not enough to make me want to use commercial aviation these days. I don't think I should have to buy a first-class seat to be reasonably comfortable. (I am an average size man. I can't imagine how the bigger folks can even fit into a seat, much less be comfortable.) I've pretty much decided not to buy another ticket unless it is absolutely necessary to get somewhere I really want to go. I admire the safety record of US airlines, but their terrible terms and customer service just seal their fate, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[BigBoy99]

You were lucky as the flight and cruise we had booked didn't give us refunds! The airlines just kept the money and so sorry, no refunds or credits. The cruise line didn't give us a refund either, just a credit on some future cruise which expires in less than a year!

 

[SMSgt]

Airliners and cruise ships will never get a dollar from me.

 

[bullmack]

You need to CALL the airline. United readily extended the time for me to use "banked" credits.

 

[oddshooter]

Alternative to airlines for the seniors:

I spent half my life traveling with the airlines. I finally said at 65 and retirement that I would not go into another airport and give up all my rights ever again. So far so good.

The flip side is that at 74 I can't seem to drive like I used to. I get tired after a couple of hours or my nap time comes unexpectedly. Diminished skills became real. That made driving long and scary.

My son pushed me at Tesla and I finally got the Model Y last year. The autopilot on the highway is safer than me; that was humiliating at first. Now I drive 2 hours with almost no effort on my part; and then stop for 15 minutes and recharge the Model Y, and recharge me with a short nap. The Tesla can do 320 miles, but normally I can't; even with the 12 speaker + woofer sound system. I just need to stand and stretch.
No one can describe the feeling of relaxing and driving until you've done it. It has been one of the best experiences of my life; after I learned to trust it. Now 8 hours on the road is an enjoyable treat playing with my computer on wheels. I can't wait for the FSD (Full Self Driving) which I should get this year; through the free, automatic software update (which I get weekly). The other manufacturers are all taking the short cut to a dead end street with their approaches to FSD. They aren't even on the same ball field as Tesla.

It's like getting a new lease on life. I'm traveling and I'm SAFE.

Prescut
Prices are coming down and the features are going up. Yes, I'm a fan boy at 74 . Waiting for the Cybertruck is excruciating.

 

[johngalt]

Given up flying few year ago with all the STUPID rules from 911. Consider, having to arrive at airport a hour or more before flight, put up with the idiotic search and equally DUMB questions which takes half a hour, then wait to board A/C, wait again to get airborne.
Just get in your vehicle and cruise up or down interstate, or take the scenic route and really see our country to destination. Then there is the RV.

The last I flew regularly was when I lived in Cincinnati and visited the family in Milwaukee. It was only a 55 minute flight, but after adding in time to and from the airport and the lead time (back then they recommended 2 hours) the time saved door to door over driving was only around 2 hours.

I finally decided that being able to come and go on my schedule and being able to take what I want was worth 2 hours.

For the first 2 years after 911, I got pulled aside for 'extra special' attention every single time I flew. Must have been the red hair.

 

[GypsmJim]

You were lucky as the flight and cruise we had booked didn't give us refunds! The airlines just kept the money and so sorry, no refunds or credits. The cruise line didn't give us a refund either, just a credit on some future cruise which expires in less than a year!

Our cruises were on 2 different lines. They both gave us a FULL refund in cash, plus we have a half credit for a future cruise.

I was a road warrior for 45 years. It was my job as an employee and later as a consultant. My customers were worldwide so driving wasn't an option. I always flew first class.

I simply HATE to drive. Anything over 2 hours ain't gonna happen. My son is a 10 hour drive (for me a 2-day trip) or a 6 hour flight. The plane tickets cost slightly less than the gas and hotel costs. A no-brainer.

We are anxiously awaiting our return top cruising. After reluctantly taking our first and finding out it was the best vacation ever, our retirement was to go on 2 cruises a year.

I guess if we all had the same likes and dislikes it would be a boring world...

 

[sigp220.45]

Alternative to airlines for the seniors:

I spent half my life traveling with the airlines. I finally said at 65 and retirement that I would not go into another airport and give up all my rights ever again. So far so good.

The flip side is that at 74 I can't seem to drive like I used to. I get tired after a couple of hours or my nap time comes unexpectedly. Diminished skills became real. That made driving long and scary.

My son pushed me at Tesla and I finally got the Model Y last year. The autopilot on the highway is safer than me; that was humiliating at first. Now I drive 2 hours with almost no effort on my part; and then stop for 15 minutes and recharge the Model Y, and recharge me with a short nap. The Tesla can do 320 miles, but normally I can't; even with the 12 speaker + woofer sound system. I just need to stand and stretch.
No one can describe the feeling of relaxing and driving until you've done it. It has been one of the best experiences of my life; after I learned to trust it. Now 8 hours on the road is an enjoyable treat playing with my computer on wheels. I can't wait for the FSD (Full Self Driving) which I should get this year; through the free, automatic software update (which I get weekly). The other manufacturers are all taking the short cut to a dead end street with their approaches to FSD. They aren't even on the same ball field as Tesla.

It's like getting a new lease on life. I'm traveling and I'm SAFE.

Prescut
Prices are coming down and the features are going up. Yes, I'm a fan boy at 74 . Waiting for the Cybertruck is excruciating.

Wow. You've got me thinking. Thanks for posting this.

 

[Pisgah]

I freely admit that originally I bought non-refundable tickets, but actually the flights ended up being cancelled anyway. Not my fault.

So, you knowingly and voluntarily entered into a non-refundable contract. Bummer. But at least they are still willing to honor the agreement, as written and purchased.

Case closed.

 

[ladder13]

The last time I flew was coming home from Italy in May of 2019. We have a river cruise scheduled this May in France, it's been cancelled twice and I wouldn't cry if it were again. Flights are getting crazy to book and there are no non stops available.
I hate those hours long layovers.

I like overland car trips. I can pack the car, unlike on a plane. My limit is about 800 to 1,000 miles by car. No more of those 20 hr straight drives I did years ago.

Leaving in two weeks for Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, but will do it in two days. A week there then off to Davenport to visit old friends for a few days.

On the way home stopping in Murder Beach SC for an overnighter.
Got plenty of time, so no need to rush.

 

[LVSteve]

So, you knowingly and voluntarily entered into a non-refundable contract. Bummer. But at least they are still willing to honor the agreement, as written and purchased.

Case closed.

I consider the non-refundable ticket game part of the racket.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I freely admit that originally I bought non-refundable tickets, but actually the flights ended up being cancelled anyway. Not my fault.

So, you knowingly and voluntarily entered into a non-refundable contract. Bummer. But at least they are still willing to honor the agreement, as written and purchased. Case closed.

Is the case closed? I had a flight booked for Germany in December, 2020, and when it was cancelled they refunded my money.

GypsmJim, I wouldn't just give up on this...you might have some recourse.

From the linked article:

"The almost universal policy is that when an airline cancels your flight, regardless of cause, you have a right to a full refund equal to the remaining value of your ticket. Refunds are given in the same form as the ticket was purchased, either cash or credit.

A few airlines go beyond this basic requirement to include a provision that if your onward connecting flight from a hub airport is canceled on an outbound trip, and you no longer want to continue the trip, the airline will return you to your original airport at no charge and refund the entire value of the ticket.

A few lines' contracts do not specifically promise a refund, but in practice, a refund is almost always an option."

What Are My Rights if My Flight Is Cancelled? | Airfarewatchdog

 

[MDF4]

I'll go out of my way and avoid getting on a commercial flight and drive or fly the little one. I see it as being an updated version of, "Riding the Dog," 60+ years ago.