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MeNBobs
*****
Member since 4/07 3765 total posts
Name:
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Re:
You see, you know how to *take* the reservation, you just don't know how to *hold* the reservation.
A few weeks ago I was able to book an awesome deal on a flight. The flight I had to book was a bit awkward because we were flying JFK to Dublin but on the return flight we are departing from Dublin and arriving in Washing DC (Dulles). I was able to get a direct flight in both directions through Orbitz on Aer Lingus for about $500 pp after all the fees  .
Today I got an email from Orbitz saying my itinerary had a slight change and to please call them. When I called I was told my flight was now scheduled to leave Dublin a day earlier the 27th instead of the 28th (UMM NO!!) or I can get a flight departing 2 days later on the 30th (again NO).
The whole reason we are going to Ireland is for a wedding on the 27th and we are going to DC for a concert on the 29th we MUST fly the 28th.
The lady I spoke with at Orbitz said Aer Lingus was offering to issue me a full refund which basically means they can't do anything for me.
Then she was looking up other flights that would meet our requirements. She was telling me about flights that leave NY have a slight lay over in Boston then I can fly to Tokyo ride a bike 57 miles get a train then take a boat............... insane flights that will have us arrive in Ireland 2 days after we leave NY for $1000 pp!
I am going to call Aer Lingus next but I don't understand the point of a RESERVATION . I booked these flights and planned our trip around it they should be able to keep their end of the bargain. They better be upgrading us to first class and my but better be on a plane on the 28th.
PS I'm probably crazy but I hate having my flights changed I am starting to think this is divine intervention and I am not meant to fly that day.
Message edited 9/11/2011 2:30:43 PM.
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Posted 8/12/09 3:08 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
I don't have any advice but this:
Posted by MeNBobs
She was telling me about flights that leave NY have a slight lay over in Boston then I can fly to Tokyo ride a bike 57 miles get a train then take a boat............... insane flights that will have us arrive in Ireland 2 days after we leave NY for $1000 pp!
made me laugh out loud. 
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| Posted 8/12/09 4:46 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
From what I keep reading, airlines are cancelling flights, changing their schedules and re-routing flights because less people are travelling. This causes all the juggling, additional layovers, etc. It's really frustrating. 
I hope you get flights that work for you!!
Message edited 8/12/2009 5:00:23 PM.
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| Posted 8/12/09 4:59 PM |
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ODonnell
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Member since 9/05 5983 total posts
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
This sounds crazy and like Orbitz only get the option to buy a certain number of seats on certain dates.
I don't know what month you are looking at, but I was checking out September for myself and you can get roundtrip fares on Aerlingus.com for around $600 per person.
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| Posted 8/12/09 5:00 PM |
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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5014 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
This happened to me on a Caribbean trip. The airline completely changed the days of the week it was flying in/out of the airport I wanted... so I had to rebook and change my hotel package which cost  because it was an A/I resort.
The airline had NO sympathy because they had offered me a full refund if I had wanted it.
Thanks...
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| Posted 8/13/09 9:17 AM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
I had something similar happen to me except it had to do with the times and cutting a layover too close that they wouldn't even accept the reservation because it was less than the allowed time. HELLO I booked my flight WITH the allowed time!
They changed my flt...than ended up changing it BACK to the original time a few weeks later. So stressful and annoying.
I hate that they can get away with this without offering some compensation.
I mean if I wanted to change my flt I would be charged...
I love that they offer to give you a refund though. OH gee thanks...if I try to book another flt now it will cost me twice as much!
I know more airlines are doing this more and more to combine flts that aren't filled.
It's just annoying...stressful and frustration for the traveler!
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| Posted 8/13/09 11:18 AM |
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MeNBobs
*****
Member since 4/07 3765 total posts
Name:
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Re:
If anyone is interested:
I called Aer Lingus directly last night. They told me what Orbitz told me either leave a day early or 2 days late or get a refund those were my only options. I asked to speak to a manager. I was told he was on a call he would have to call me back. I felt like the manager was my new boyfriend I kept hoping the phone would ring but it never did, he's just not that into me  .
I called Aer Lingus back today and asked to speak to the manager. Finally I got him. He told me the same options as everyone else. I told him I must fly the 28th this went on for a while almost 45 minutes. I was not getting off the phone until I had results. Then suddenly as if by magic another option was available. Fly out on the 28th into Bosoton then get a Jet Blue flight into DC (ding ding ding we have a winner).
I also asked the manager what he could do to make me a happy customer and he said "nothing" I told him my original flight was direct I am thankful for my new flight but a lay over is annoying. He didn't care. So I took his name and I plan on emailing a higher up.
Do you think doing that will achieve anything? We fly Aer Lingus every year sometimes twice I want first class!
Message edited 9/11/2011 2:30:54 PM.
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| Posted 8/13/09 2:17 PM |
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MeNBobs
*****
Member since 4/07 3765 total posts
Name:
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Re:
Posted by ODonnell
This sounds crazy and like Orbitz only get the option to buy a certain number of seats on certain dates.
I don't know what month you are looking at, but I was checking out September for myself and you can get roundtrip fares on Aerlingus.com for around $600 per person.
Aer lingus cancelled the flight we were supposed to take home. It was their fault . I booked the flights for $500 each to rebook them and get us to DC it was going to be almost $300 more.
We are going in September too!! What are you going over for? We are going to the All-Ireland and a wedding  .
Message edited 9/11/2011 2:31:07 PM.
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| Posted 8/13/09 2:21 PM |
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MeNBobs
*****
Member since 4/07 3765 total posts
Name:
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Re:
Posted by Mssissy
I had something similar happen to me except it had to do with the times and cutting a layover too close that they wouldn't even accept the reservation because it was less than the allowed time. HELLO I booked my flight WITH the allowed time!
They changed my flt...than ended up changing it BACK to the original time a few weeks later. So stressful and annoying.
I hate that they can get away with this without offering some compensation.
I mean if I wanted to change my flt I would be charged...
I love that they offer to give you a refund though. OH gee thanks...if I try to book another flt now it will cost me twice as much!
I know more airlines are doing this more and more to combine flts that aren't filled.
It's just annoying...stressful and frustration for the traveler!
I said the exact same thing to the guy. If i wanted to change my flight you would charge me $100 each yet you can do it and not do anything for me? He said yep and laughed.
When they changed your flights all around did you write any letters? Or see if they could do anything to make you happy??
The manager I spoke to told me they gave me plenty of notice. I asked him what is the minumum notice they must give and he said 7 days!!! I would freak if they did that to me.
Message edited 9/11/2011 2:31:20 PM.
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| Posted 8/13/09 2:28 PM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
Posted by MeNBobs
I said the exact same thing to the guy. If i wanted to change my flight you would charge me $100 each yet you can do it and not do anything for me? He said yep and laughed.
When they changed your flights all around did you write any letters? Or see if they could do anything to make you happy??
The manager I spoke to told me they gave me plenty of notice. I asked him what is the minumum notice they must give and he said 7 days!!! I would freak if they did that to me.
No I didn't.
I booked the trip through Expedia and they were very understanding (Alaska Air could care less) and gave me a $100 credit towards a hotel stay incase we missed our connecting flt. Since AA changed the times back it wasn't an issue. But I still have the credit w/Expedia. Which I thought was very nice since they weren't the one's changing anything.
Alaska Air didn't want to hear anything...basically told me "you can get a refund and rebook for another time"...I told "oh great...since my daughter is only having a baby at THIS time...that won't work for me...thanks " I was sooooo mad because I booked the trip months earlier for the cheapest price and now they want to refund me...have me rebook...for a more expensive price. Nice racket they got going on.
Oh and the best part...switching the times...they also put DH on one flt and me on another I thought DH was going to have a stroke...he was so mad.
They worked that out with me at no charge.
It couldn't hurt to write a letter...the worse they can do is ignore it. Who knows...maybe they'll give a credit of some sort for a future flt.
Good luck!
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| Posted 8/13/09 2:46 PM |
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charon54
My two boys!
Member since 5/05 7279 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
Honestly, I doubt you will get anywhere. It's not like you are a frequent flier of theirs for business or anything. Airlines do reserve the right to cancel flights if they are underbooked.
It's not unusual. It does suck though and I have had it happen to me many times.
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| Posted 8/13/09 6:22 PM |
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ODonnell
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Member since 9/05 5983 total posts
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
Posted by MeNBobs
We are going in September too!! What are you going over for? We are going to the All-Ireland and a wedding .
I was looking and the prices were really good, but we are going to wait now and go for Christmas or a rugby match in February/March.
I'm glad it worked out, even if it is not perfect. Enjoy!
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| Posted 8/14/09 12:09 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
Posted by charon54
Honestly, I doubt you will get anywhere. It's not like you are a frequent flier of theirs for business or anything. Airlines do reserve the right to cancel flights if they are underbooked.
It's not unusual. It does suck though and I have had it happen to me many times.
I was going to say the same thing - I am sure there is something in the small print that they reserve the right to change or cancel flights.
But I am glad you got flights that worked for you!! It sounds like you will be having a really hectic but really fun week!!
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| Posted 8/14/09 2:22 PM |
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donegal419
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Member since 7/07 7650 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
Posted by MeNBobs
We are going in September too!! What are you going over for? We are going to the All-Ireland and a wedding .
tickets to the All-Ireland? NICE! too bad my team is out...lost to Cork...what else is new? 1992 was a long time ago!
AER LINGUS SUCKS!!! my sister worked for a company that was run by them and basically they sell their seats to everyone else to try and make money and they are also notorious for overbooking... and they wonder why they are going bankrupt. at least the prices have been reasonsable as of late, but i tell you they NEVER go out of the way to help you. when my grandfather died and my mom needed to get over ASAP they charged her $1800 and told her if she showed a proof of death they would take 10% off. thanks, thanks alot! 
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| Posted 8/14/09 3:32 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
Posted by donegal419
Posted by MeNBobs
We are going in September too!! What are you going over for? We are going to the All-Ireland and a wedding .
tickets to the All-Ireland? NICE! too bad my team is out...lost to Cork...what else is new? 1992 was a long time ago!
AER LINGUS SUCKS!!! my sister worked for a company that was run by them and basically they sell their seats to everyone else to try and make money and they are also notorious for overbooking... and they wonder why they are going bankrupt. at least the prices have been reasonsable as of late, but i tell you they NEVER go out of the way to help you. when my grandfather died and my mom needed to get over ASAP they charged her $1800 and told her if she showed a proof of death they would take 10% off. thanks, thanks alot!
Most of the airlines are like that. It sux because it takes a while to get a death cert to even get the discount. It's a bad PR move since people book tickets like that at the last minute. The seat is empty anyway....here is the chance to fill it? Why not sell it at a discount and get some good PR out of the deal.
I know I'd be singing the praises if an airline gave me a great price for a flight during a last minute hardship and would be quicker to use them again.
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| Posted 8/14/09 4:17 PM |
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
Posted by charon54
Honestly, I doubt you will get anywhere. It's not like you are a frequent flier of theirs for business or anything. Airlines do reserve the right to cancel flights if they are underbooked.
It's not unusual. It does suck though and I have had it happen to me many times.
I agree.....
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| Posted 8/17/09 8:57 AM |
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Irishlass
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2961 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Huh? Has this happened to you?
I have never had this happen to me & I hope I dont! Sorry you are going through all of this.
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| Posted 8/17/09 9:07 AM |
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