RE-CONFIRM YOUR FLIGHT & HOTEL RESERVATIONS!!

[funcorn]

I'm cruising next Sat, May 8, and just found out that my flight reservations that I made on 2/10/04 were changed by AirTran on 2/27. I was NEVER notified! My flight originally was leaving ATL at 12:10, now leaves at 3:20 AND my flight from Miami , which originally left at 2:45 now leaves at 5:50 p.m. There are NO OTHER acceptable flights out. This means that I have to pay for an extra night of boarding for my dog, not to mention the inconvenience of having to change limo plans/times and finding something to do in Miami until 6. SUPPOSEDLY, a supervisor is to contact me tomorrow. But, who knows. Just be aware that this happens and be sure to re-confirm any resevations before you show up at the airport.

FUNCORN
Majestic 5/91
Ecstacy 3/00
Fantasy 12/01,1/03
Fascination 12/08/03
AND
My Victory Cruise leaves 5/9/04
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[thebird]

Funcorn

DO NOT give up until you've had satisfaction from them..
THAT is NOT right..

Sensation 5/15/2004

Days til Valor Vampires Cruise
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[missyal]

We missed our flight on 4/16. We got to the airport with about 40 minutes to spare and were told we were too late to board. Turns out our flight was moved up 30 min. and we were never notified! We wanted to fly down Fri. night and had a room in Orlando. The airline, Continental, admitted they never tried to contact us, so we got a room and dinner from them that night, and first class seats on the first flight the next morning. They were very apologetic and took good care of us in the long run. The return flight had also changed. The kicker is that we called to confirm 72 hours in advance as we were instructed to, only to be told that Continental does not do phone confirmations!! It all worked out.
Missyal

[ladysail2]

I can't agree with you more! My booked flight from Tampa to FLL didn't exist by the time I showed up at the counter. No one contacted me..told me that there was no contact info on the file..guess the TA didn't bother. Fortunately was able to book on another airline that evening. Always, always, reconfirm your airline reservations! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[funcorn]

Is this a common-place thing to happen? Do ALL airlines work like this? They already have my money so I guess I'm at their mercy. And since fares this close to flighttime are so high, what choice do I have? This is ridiculous!

FUNCORN
Majestic 5/91
Ecstacy 3/00
Fantasy 12/01,1/03
Fascination 12/08/03
AND
My Victory Cruise leaves 5/9/04
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[halos]

We book through Expedia most of the time and if the flight schedule changes at all...even if the change is a 5 minute one, they will email us to let us know. It's very comforting. Sometimes they actually have emailed us to check our reservation because there was a change, and I would check only to find that there was none. They over-do-it sometimes, but heck, it's fine with me. I'd rather be safe than sorry. It's very stressful to rely on an airline when you need to catch a ship!
We experienced a nightmare last year flying out of New England in February. There was a huge snowstorm (in the SOUTH) that delayed us from leaving for a day and a half! Thank Goodness we had planned on spending 3 days in NO prior to sailing, or else we'd have missed the ship. We only got one night in NO, which was sad...I'll just have to go back again another time.
The bottom line is that you can NOT depend on the airlines...whether because of the weather, or plane maintenance problems..or overbooking of flights...the list goes on.

I believe in Miracles
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MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[marvholly]

YES, all airlines do this. I bought my tickets for March the end of Jan directly from American so they certainly had contact info. I also checked 2 days ahead. When we checked in to leave for FLL found out our return flight was changed to 1 1/2 hours later. NO RECOURSE!! Had to make a bunch of calls changing our airport pick-up and cat arrangements. NO RESTITUTION!!

These days I always go in a day or more early and make sure my airline has at least 1 more flight out for my return than my preferred booking. This is why I am leary of doing Spirit ORD-FLL as they only have 1 flight/day each way.

Holly

M/S Boheme 11/69
Rhapsody 2/77?
Azure Sea 3/89
Panama Canal 11/90
Mexican Riviera 3/98
Carnival Triumph 12/99
Carnival Spirit 12/01
NCL Dream 11/17/02
Celebrity Mercury 6/1/03
carnival Victory 3/28/04

[betsyrossapk]

Just yesterday I got an email from Continental AIrlines with a flight change for our trip in Nov, 2004! I was really surprised. Our outbound trip was changed by only 5 mins. We are a member of their "OnePass" club which is a free service, so I am not sure if they email everyone or just OnePass members. Thanks for the warning tho', I will be sure to check the flight times before we leave, although if they change your return flite time while you are cruising, there is not much you can do about that http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[imatarb]

When we originally booked our airfare for this cruise back in December, the flights were different than they are now. My TA notified us of the change in times, though, so I felt that at least someone was looking out for us!

Hey, funcorn..we're on your flight out of MIA on the 16th. We'll share a cab to the airport! Our original flight was supposed to leave MIA at 230pm and this one leaves at 550pm. Puts us back in Michigan at 11pm...yawn!

Lisa http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[b]Monarch of the Seas - 1994
Royal Majesty - 1996

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Until VICTORY is ours 5/9/04


<MARQUEE>A day at sea is better than any day at work</MARQUEE>

[Ohdaisy]

This has happened to us also. I booked in Feb for our flight this weekend and our departure time changed. Not notified. I just happened to call USAir for info required on Funpass and was told then. Thankfully it was only a minor change at that time and we are flying out a day early. Well, I called last week to check for any more changes and found out now DH and I are separated on 2 of the flights because when they changed the time no one bothered to put us back in for seating together. The lady I spoke with said I'll just have to wait until we get to the airport and ask there as she has no more seating together available. I know this isn't going to ruin our vacation but I am apprehensive about sitting by myself as I have only flown once before so it does upset me that we will not be sitting together.

One more thing...BE CAREFUL not getting to the airport early enough. We had two of our nieces (ages 17 & 13) visit over spring break and when taking them to the airport to go home they had given away their seats! They were there within the time posted online at Delta.com (30 minutes at check in and 15 at the boarding gate). They were there about 40 minutes early. Well the lady at check in said you were suppose to be here an hour early and my sill turned and points out a sign right there stating 30 minutes and says well you tell me why that sign says that then. The lady then changed her time to be that of the signs (and the time online) only to say well you didn't make it (we are talking like 2 minutes by then). Well no they didn't, because they are standing here arguing with you for the second time! The first time the girls went up and when they were told no go they just politely said ok and walked away. Then to top it off the airline was trying to make them pay an extra $100pp to be on stand by the next day for the flight out and then another $100pp when at their layover! They also would not guarantee there would be room when they got to the layover. When calling the airline numerous times their mother was told a different thing every time. What a mess! Well they didn't end up paying the extra fee and did eventually make it home safely (waiting on standby the next day) but the stress that we all went through was terrible! Had we not looked at the airlines website they would have been there much earlier.

I really do NOT understand how an airline can just give away your seat after you have paid in full. Overbooking is a real problem with airlines. Even if you don't show up that day to fly they still have a paid in full seat and made their money from it. I really think this should not be allowed because when they do this they are selling the same seat twice to 2 different people and know one of them will be screwed in the end should they both show up.

Needless to say I will be calling a few times this week to reconfirm my times and seats and then standing at the gate, not check in, at least 2 hours early to board the plane! I am getting on that ship!

Daisy

Sensation May 10th
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[funcorn]

Daisy--Don't give up! I was on the phone today with a real person (!), a supervisor named Bernadette, who after looking over my records discovered that I had not been notified of these time changes (Duh). Anyway, after apologizing several times, and having me explain WHY I really needed to be in Miami and Atl. by certain times, she proceeded to book us from Atl to FLL (not Miami) on an earlier flight AND AirTran is paying for our transportation to Miami. Then on our return flight, she was even looking at flying us out of West Palm (with AirTran providing transport) to get us to ATL earlier. She even offered the possibility of A.T. paying for my extra day's dog boarding. (I needed to pick up the dog by 7 p.m.). We finally compromised--I suggested that we would be satisfied with flying back at 6 p.m. IF we could be upgraded to Business Class. She agreed. We're to get our NEW itineraries and voucher for the Airport Express by FedEx tomorrow.
I must say that she was very accomodating once she understood that we really were inconvenienced by their failure to notify us of the changes. I was quite impressed and plan to write to her supervisor or Air Tran commending her for her efforts.

Lisa--We can still share a cab to the airport Sunday. We'll talk about how to spend the day in Miami. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Peggy

FUNCORN
Majestic 5/91
Ecstacy 3/00
Fantasy 12/01,1/03
Fascination 12/08/03
AND
My Victory Cruise leaves 5/9/04
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[Ohdaisy]

Good for you Peggy! It nice to here some airlines will do there best to accommodate you. Instead of taking your money and acting like oh well it is our airplane we can do what we want, deal with it. Like I told the lady last week on the phone, first I am not notified of a time change that could have affected my travel plans and now we don't even have seating together (on top of my recent experience with my nieces) I wish we were driving instead of flying. Sometimes half the fun is getting there...lol. In any case, good for you getting what you needed. Have a great time!

Daisy

Sensation May 10th
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[ken_nyc]

From what I understand, if a flight change is 15 MINUTES OR MORE the airline MUST notify the passengers of the change.

Carnival Pride 8/17/02 (Western Caribbean)
Carnival Glory 8/21/2004 (Eastern Caribbean) 30th Anniversary Cruise
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[imatarb]

Peggy..way to go! I think that's great that AirTran went out of their way to make the situation better for everyone. Her efforts truly speak to their commitment to customer service. I'm a big fan of writing letters when things turn out great.

We'll be happy to share a cab with you on Sunday!

Lisa http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[b]Monarch of the Seas - 1994
Royal Majesty - 1996

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Until VICTORY is ours 5/9/04


<MARQUEE>A day at sea is better than any day at work</MARQUEE>

[tjohn159d]

Daisy, I wouldn't worry too much about not sitting together. There will more than likely be someone sitting alone that will change seats with one of you, if needed. If no one seems to want to change, just ask the person sitting beside you if they plan on using the airsick bag, as you may need to borrow it http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif. You don't have to tell them you only want to borrow it to put trash in, just that you may need to borrow it. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif One time DW and I were seperated and she just kept looking over her shoulder at me before takeoff and the guy next to her asked if she wanted him to change seats with me.

Carnivale'83,Jubilee'89,Fantasy '95,'98,2000,Premier '91,'98,NCL '00,'01,'03, Holiday '02 3X. 3/13/04 Holiday

[funcorn]

Well, Bernadette came through! I had my FedExed papers at my front door today. New itinerary, voucher for the Airport Express to MIA (I might see if I can go directly to hotel, pay the difference), AND a written apology for inconveniencing me. Thanks, AirTran!

Peggy

FUNCORN
Majestic 5/91
Ecstacy 3/00
Fantasy 12/01,1/03
Fascination 12/08/03
AND
My Victory Cruise leaves 5/9/04
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[Mlkkc]

I've been changed twice by United. I haven't checked once because it's not close to my flight date which is May 22nd.I fly out at 6:25 am do that mean I have to be at airport at 4:25am?They didn't reissue tickets once because their e-tickets.

MBABYDOLL1628
DESTINY11/99 TRUIMP11/01 ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS 11/02 VICTORY 5/04
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[jleq]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I fly out at 6:25 am do that mean I have to be at airport at 4:25am? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Check with United and/or the airport for the exact time they want you there. Expect 1 1/2-2 hours. But each airport is different.

http://pw2.netcom.com/~jleq/sleazy2.gif

[SATXLady]

Airline flight times changing is very common. On my last trip overseas, I booked months in advance and probably had at least a half dozen time changes in my flights. And I was never notified by the airlines of any of them.

The best thing to do is to sign up for the airline frequent flyer program (if you aren't already a member) and be sure that your FF number is linked to your reservation. You can then check your flight reservation on-line and monitor it for time changes. You may also be able to change your seat assignments on line as well. And it works even if you book your ticket through a travel agency.

I usually check at least once a month when I'm several months out and start checking more frequently as it gets closer. The last week I check every day. That way, if there is a change that will affect my other travel arrangements, I have time to start making adjustments.

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Carnival Pride, 4/3/05

[TerriDHair]

Daisy, I agree with the poster that mentioned you might be able to find someone sitting alone and get them to trade seats with one or both of you. My hubby and I are not great flyers, although we'll do it for the sake of getting to a cruise port and we booked a last-minute cruise on the Spirit in February. It was 9 days prior to the flight date and the flight plan I found that was under a million dollars http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif had no adjoining seats available when I booked. However, when I called the airline a few days later they were able to change our seats to being together, and, when I checked online 2 days before departure I was even able to move us to seats near the front of the plane on several legs of the trip.

My long-winded point being: don't panic, you have a great chance of sitting together.

Holiday 7/95
Enchanted Isle 7/96
Jubilee 7/97
Destiny 7/99
Triumph 7/21/01
Explorer 6/22/02
Conquest 6/22/03
Navigator 1/24/04
Carnival Spirit 2/27/04
Mariner 10/17/04
Adventure 2/13/05
http://animatedgif.net/nauticalboats/ship_in_a_bottle_e0.gif

[jima53]

They have your money, so they think they can do what they want as to providing you the service you have paid for. Besides, don't we all realize "how important they are to the economy". One of the few busienesses in the USA that can pump itself up beyond what the market will buy, overpay it's executives, and then expect to be bailed out by the taxpayer.

I've only flown Southwest the past few times when needing to fly, but I'm sure they have done the same things we are reading about. I guess it is best to do as people have and fly in the day before, this gives you the leeway to not miss your cruise, It just screws up with your mind and your pre-cruise hotel stay.

Jim

Carnival Miracle 3/04/04

Carnival Celebration 1/15/05
Zaandam in
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[cynic957att]

Of course then you could always "dispute" the charges on your credit card - I mean they did give you what you booked - file a dispute and let them give the money back to your card - the airlines might just be a little bit more cooperaative !