Change Fees Suspended
Mar 15, 2020, 11:01 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 259
Very similar situation here - due to fly to the US via DUB a week Monday - I suspect the now-expanded travel embargo will lead to flight cancellation and refund, but the Aer Lingus statements to date are not very informative! If not, I may also book something out in December and change it once plans become clearer...
Mar 16, 2020, 2:46 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,740
Think it might be more a misunderstanding of my question.... As it stands, the rebooking process has to be undertaken over the next week or so. According to the FAQ:
”A fare difference may apply. Changes should be made no later than 25th March 2020, and some terms and conditions apply.“
Like many others, flights were booked to travel to a specific event or meeting, and it will be far from clear over the next week when those events will be re-scheduled to. It’s not so much About getting flights for a specific date some time in the future, but simply that the date that many customers will need to re-book for is completely unknown And will remain so until well after the limited window within which the flights can be changed, expires.
”A fare difference may apply. Changes should be made no later than 25th March 2020, and some terms and conditions apply.“
Like many others, flights were booked to travel to a specific event or meeting, and it will be far from clear over the next week when those events will be re-scheduled to. It’s not so much About getting flights for a specific date some time in the future, but simply that the date that many customers will need to re-book for is completely unknown And will remain so until well after the limited window within which the flights can be changed, expires.
It sounds that, in your position, the option to refund for a voucher to be used within 12 months would have been a better deal. This is currently what BA is offering, and I am waiting to see if my application for a voucher will be processed before my flight is due to depart - or, better again, the flight(s) get cancelled in the meantime.
However, being able to re-book to any future date, which is what EI is currently allowing, is better than what KLM is offering at the moment. I had an Easter trip I tried to push back to the first week of June - which is not that far away - but they are not allowing the date to be changed beyond 31 May.
Mar 17, 2020, 2:39 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: EIDW
Programs: Aer Lingus Concierge, Radisson Rewards Platinum, BW Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,968
Not all US airports are accepting international flights, SFO/LAX/JFK/EWR/BOS/MIA/SEA/ORD/IAD are still accepting flights
PHL, BDL, MSP, MCO routes are suspended
A330's for this routes have been redeployed to evacuate Irish out of Spain
PHL, BDL, MSP, MCO routes are suspended
A330's for this routes have been redeployed to evacuate Irish out of Spain
Mar 18, 2020, 7:37 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 4
Has anyone had problems with changing their tickets? We were supposed to fly today BOS to DUB and then return DUB to BOS on Monday. We've picked new dates in October, but want to fly BOS to SNN and then return DUB to BOS.
When I try to change, it won''t give me any options other than DUB to fly into. There's a place to click "view all airports" but nothing comes up when I click it - just DUB. I'm desperate to get this fixed as I only have a few hours left to change (flight is scheduled to depart BOS at 7 PM tonight.
When I try to change, it won''t give me any options other than DUB to fly into. There's a place to click "view all airports" but nothing comes up when I click it - just DUB. I'm desperate to get this fixed as I only have a few hours left to change (flight is scheduled to depart BOS at 7 PM tonight.
Mar 18, 2020, 9:54 am
#23
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 4
Thank you! This is confusing because the website mentions that dates and or/itinerary can be changed online without a fee. And of course they're not taking any phone calls.
I guess we will book changes in dates and keep airport the same for now and then call and try to change once things settle down.
Thanks again for your help!
I guess we will book changes in dates and keep airport the same for now and then call and try to change once things settle down.
Thanks again for your help!
Mar 18, 2020, 11:41 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 4
I'm ready to scream right now. I should still have a few hours to change my flights. I just went on and their site says my trip cannot be managed and directed me to the help desk. I've been trying to contact the help desk for days no with no success. Tried to call but they're not taking calls.
Any advice?
Any advice?
Last edited by PC1990; Mar 18, 2020 at 12:50 pm
Mar 18, 2020, 5:44 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 259
So, for those in similar situations, I’m 4 days from planned departure and have just had an email saying I can apply for a voucher for future travel with a value of the total value of disrupted flights, plus an extra 10%...
Unexpectedly amicable option. I have just applied and will see when I get the voucher back.
Unexpectedly amicable option. I have just applied and will see when I get the voucher back.
Mar 19, 2020, 12:47 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: EIDW
Programs: Aer Lingus Concierge, Radisson Rewards Platinum, BW Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,968
You are betting on EI surviving
1. Voucher = 0 if EI die but getting the voucher keeps cash in the company
2. If you change flights the credit card company will pay out if the company goes bust
So do you feel lucky?
1. Voucher = 0 if EI die but getting the voucher keeps cash in the company
2. If you change flights the credit card company will pay out if the company goes bust
So do you feel lucky?
Mar 19, 2020, 4:41 am
#28
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 4
Update:
I was finally able to get through on the phone (about 2 hours before my deadline to make changes). I changed my flights and was told not only is there no change fee but also they're waiving the fare difference. This was great because I was going to have to shell out $300 for the fare difference.
I was finally able to get through on the phone (about 2 hours before my deadline to make changes). I changed my flights and was told not only is there no change fee but also they're waiving the fare difference. This was great because I was going to have to shell out $300 for the fare difference.
Mar 19, 2020, 6:04 am
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: EIDW
Programs: Aer Lingus Concierge, Radisson Rewards Platinum, BW Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,968
Can't say fairer than that.
They just don't have the capacity to take calls at this volume, EU flights are easy to change online, its complex connecting flights and rebooking to different airports and onto partner carriers is painful
Even on a good day a good agent will take 5-10 minute to do all the work, and thats with a customer who has the itinerary worked out. It saves a 2-3 minutes if you waive any fare diff
Hopefully they are training up some of the check in staff in Dublin to take calls as they are well able to change flights on fly at the check in desk
They just don't have the capacity to take calls at this volume, EU flights are easy to change online, its complex connecting flights and rebooking to different airports and onto partner carriers is painful
Even on a good day a good agent will take 5-10 minute to do all the work, and thats with a customer who has the itinerary worked out. It saves a 2-3 minutes if you waive any fare diff
Hopefully they are training up some of the check in staff in Dublin to take calls as they are well able to change flights on fly at the check in desk
Mar 20, 2020, 1:59 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: AerClub - Concierge, Hotels.com - Gold
Posts: 934
I'm going to take the vouchers in the hope that it helps them make it through.