Now Delta "messes with" us

[mac]

AA canceled our flight which we had booked in April for Jan-Feb visit. After getting reimbursed by AA I tried to use FF miles on Delta. No flight available for FF, so I bought the tickets from Flint, Mi to AUA for $585 pp. I checked Delta today and the cost dropped $140 pp. Called Delta and they said to rebook would be $150 pp. Said I just wanted a credit for the difference. Told me they would have to rebook and charge me $150 pp. What a load of crap! There ought to be a law. No regular local business could get way with that. Talked to 2 supervisors and got the same bs. Just wish I could do something-so frustrated.

[Arubalisa]

...and they refund the difference in a voucher which must be used within one year.

We just went through the process, but for us it was a significant price decrease so well worth the $150 pp. Unfortunately most airlines have the same policy.

[danadog56]

that is the problem....I start watching prices in Jan for November....usually book around March and no matter what price I find, as soon as I book I see a huge price difference either on the airlines I just bought from or another,,,,but it is what it is...you buy and it goes down and not many of the airlines will reimburse the difference.....OH WELL...good thing is that the tickets are taking you to paradise so I usually just grin and bare it !!

[Sgroi135]

That is one reason that I will stick with Jet Blue. They do not charge a re-booking fee.

[Chadd]

They're still willing to fly you at the price you originally contracted, they are not "screwing" you. It might not be the most customer friendly policy out there, but you're the one that booked the ticket and agreed to pay the original price.

[mrem3200]

I hate to say it but I agree with Chad, if you buy your ticket and then a month later the price goes up by $100 you are not expected to pay the higher fee. Buying airline tickets is always a gamble given the price changes, you kind of have to live with the ups and downs. Unless you buy a fully refundable ticket which is significantly more expensive.

[uncle dave]

I also agree with Chad. The airlines are just trying to max out income by using some complex supply/demand algorithem which, despite many years of trying , I have not been able to figure out.

I usually try to wait them out until the price drops, but with fewer flights scheduled now, that strategy does not work as well. To avoid getting p.o.'d I don't check prices after I book.

[Andrea J.]

Not checking that fare after you book may be the best thing you can do for your sanity.

Originally Posted by uncle dave

I also agree with Chad. The airlines are just trying to max out income by using some complex supply/demand algorithem which, despite many years of trying , I have not been able to figure out.

I usually try to wait them out until the price drops, but with fewer flights scheduled now, that strategy does not work as well. To avoid getting p.o.'d I don't check prices after I book.

[beckers608]

I use yapta (.com) to track the prices before and after I buy my flights. There was actually a time that it was worth it to pay the $150 fee because yapta alerted me to a $400 drop.