Originally Posted by
Jnr586
Not much more to the story. I was flying LEX-LGA.
If this ever happens again - to you or anyone else reading - make use of DL's multiple methods of contacting them. You could try to call (see comments below), tweet, DM, or deal with airport folks. Any note before departure even noting your tardiness could help immensely with another agent.
Having said that - once you accept to pay a fee and fly the ticket - unless you can prove true DL error (as I have once done with check in technical errors and they refunded me my add collect via customer service) - it is near impossible to get back. Especially given you consumed the flights.
Did you offer to pay the $75 standby fee? I find that DL agents at some stations hold strict to the fee rules when you look or act like a business traveler, as they assume you can use OPM. But acting like you should be rebooked for free on an E fare can also zap all sympathy.
I find if you offer to take some accountability and pay a small fee, proactively, or mention rules like flat tire or SDS, they can be more willing to help.
You also should play agent (or Red Coat) roulette. A lot of agents nowadays only know SNAP and dont know exceptions. Red Coats do. Ask for a Red Coat, you can always replead your case to them (I once bought a BOS-DTW-SFO 4 days out; fare of that and BOS-SFO identical for an award.
I could now arrive later due to my plans and asked at BOS to move to the nonstop (I nicely said I didn't sleep the night before and wanted a chance at a lie flat seat). Agent was nice, called a desk, and they quoted 22K extra miles. I was hesitant to pay, so she suggested calling a Red Coat. The nicest Red Coat showed up and after some typing, got me on the nonstop. Note they aren't supposed to move you to nonstop from connecting voluntarily, and I told her I knew that upfront and I didn't want her to get in trouble (she said it was fine).
Originally Posted by
TheHorta
While not much could've been done, I would think the moment he awoke from his slumber he should've immediately called Delta and let them know instead of waiting until the flight was missed, which likely removed some of the options an agent may have had at their disposal to help him out.
This. If you get through or tweet, explicitly ask them to leave a note and you can even direct them as to what you want it to say. Sometimes previous documentation of any sort can get you a lot more leeway.