My Texas friends are flying on a budget airline to meet us in Chicago this fall. Unfortunately, it looks like the budget airline has changed its route structure, and now my friends will arrive in the Windy City 3 hours later than planned. AARGH! This screws up the plans for the first evening of our stay.The following is a clipping from a chat that went on earlier in the day:
Just got an email regarding my flight to Chicago. Instead of going direct, it is now flying to New Orleans for a 2 hour layover before flying to O'Hare, arriving in Chicago at 6:35 pm
11:50 AM
Message from you, Aargh, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:50 AM.
Message from Stephanie Bernzweig, I am beyond pissed, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:51 AM.
11:51 AM
Message from you, I would be too. They probably canceled the direct flight and sent you on a different path than you paid for, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:51 AM.
I would be too. They probably canceled the direct flight and sent you on a different path than you paid for
Message from Stephanie Bernzweig, Looks like it, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:53 AM.
11:53 AM
Message from you, We'll be at the hotel when you get there, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:53 AM.
We'll be at the hotel when you get there
Message from Stephanie Bernzweig, And the flight is non refundable, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:55 AM.
And the flight is non refundable
11:55 AM
Message from you, Damn!, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:55 AM.
Message from Stephanie Bernzweig, I am tempted to by a new ticket that is direct but concerned that they will do the same with the new ticket, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:56 AM.
I am tempted to by a new ticket that is direct but concerned that they will do the same with the new ticket
11:56 AM
Message from you, Keep an eye on plane tickets from other airlines if you don't like this one. I tend to stay with the old majors, JetBlue and Southwest, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:56 AM.
Keep an eye on plane tickets from other airlines if you don't like this one. I tend to stay with the old majors, JetBlue and Southwest
Message from Stephanie Bernzweig, Mind reader, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:57 AM.
11:57 AM
Message from you, Yup, Sunday, June 11 2023, 11:57 AM.
Message from Stephanie Bernzweig, Looking at the flights for Spirit and JetBlue, their sites are both taking me to Southwest out of Love field instead of DFW, Sunday, June 11 2023, 12:08 PM.
Looking at the flights for Spirit and JetBlue, their sites are both taking me to Southwest out of Love field instead of DFW
12:29 PM
Message from you, Are you closer to dfw?, Sunday, June 11 2023, 12:29 PM.
Message from Stephanie Bernzweig, Both are about the same distance just slightly different direction, Sunday, June 11 2023, 12:32 PM.
Both are about the same distance just slightly different direction
Message from Jennifer Sasser, I got the same email. they may change it again., Sunday, June 11 2023, 12:34 PM.
I got the same email. they may change it again.
Message from Stephanie Bernzweig, That crossed my mind also. Which is why I am not rushing to change the flight yet, Sunday, June 11 2023, 12:35 PM.
That crossed my mind also. Which is why I am not rushing to change the flight yet
Message from Stephanie Bernzweig, Jenn, did you see the important message to accept the new itinerary? Just wanted to make sure, Sunday, June 11 2023, 12:55 PM.
Jenn, did you see the important message to accept the new itinerary? Just wanted to make sure
Message from Jennifer Sasser, I didn't get a message to accept new itinerary, Sunday, June 11 2023, 12:56 PM.
I didn't get a message to accept new itinerary
12:57 PM
Message from you, Hopefully both of you will have no more headaches with the flights, Sunday, June 11 2023, 12:57 PM.
Hopefully both of you will have no more headaches with the flights
Both of my friends are taking a "Budget Airline" to get between Point A and Point B. Neither realized that their discount carrier has a habit of "nickel-diming" its customers, and that one can often get an equally good deal from one legacy carriers. Now, they are thinking of a more expensive "Plan B", in case things get screwed up again.
Can I trash the discount carrier for changing flight schedules 4 months in advance? Possibly. But I choose not to do it, as getting a cheap fare involves trade-offs, and the possibility of experiencing events like this is one of the trade-offs one has to make for the cheap fares. As for me, I'd rather pay a full rate and get better service....
PS: One of my friends cancelled her flight on Spirit Airlines, and got a flight on Southwest for a similar fare. Yes, she may be out the money. But she simply doesn't like what Spirit did, nor does she like their terrible schedules.
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