Bad idea to use D1 vacation pass around Christmas?
Oct 22, 2018, 4:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
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Posts: 175
Bad idea to use D1 vacation pass around Christmas?
I need to purchase tickets for our group from CLT to FLL on Dec. 15 and returning on Dec. 23. This is for a cruise so our dates aren't flexible. One of group mates wants to use D1 passes to fly on those dates. How bad of an idea is this? The cruise is already paid for and I would rather not have any mishaps. I know there are no guarantees. I'm figuring with the holidays the chances of using a D1 pass are even more slim than usual.
Your thoughts?
Your thoughts?
Oct 22, 2018, 4:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: AA,UA,AS
Posts: 319
Generally, I'd say flying non rev around Christmas is a bad idea, its an even worse idea if you are going to catch a cruise that is departing at a set date. If the person is really wanting to use their D1 status I would suggest they only use it on the return, because if they were to not get on a flight that day they aren't risking anything.
Oct 22, 2018, 5:34 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2009
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FT is not usually a great source of information about NRSA travel. However, I would just put this out there: traveling NRSA when you need to be at a particular place at a particular time (like to embark on a cruise) is a terrible, terrible idea. The words " our dates aren't flexible " from your original post just aren't compatible with non-revving, even on a D1 pass (which is the highest priority). This is irrespective of the fact that it is around the holidays, there may be impacts of winter weather [even elsewhere in the system easily affect flights through CLT], etc.
Book a revenue ticket, ideally arriving the day before the cruise.
Edited to add: as freeagent suggests, you could use a D1 pass on the return if you really want...
Book a revenue ticket, ideally arriving the day before the cruise.
Edited to add: as freeagent suggests, you could use a D1 pass on the return if you really want...
Oct 22, 2018, 5:52 pm
#4
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Via magazine has a chart that shows flights demand. Dec 23 would seem to be a very unlikely day for nonrev space, and if there are seats they’ll likely be in high demand at walk-up prices. If they can hold up until December 25, there may be a seat available then. I’d not count on a nonrev seat on the 15th, either.)
What is the cruise line’s refund policy for missing a cruise due to not being able to secure a flight? (Those Lines I’m familiar with will refund bupkis.)
What is the cruise line’s refund policy for missing a cruise due to not being able to secure a flight? (Those Lines I’m familiar with will refund bupkis.)
Oct 22, 2018, 7:58 pm
#6
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As a former AA employee, I personally would NOT chance it -- particularly these days with the full flights. If you do decide to use the D1, I would definitely start the morning of the day BEFORE your cruise departs.
Oct 22, 2018, 11:58 pm
#8
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I need to purchase tickets for our group from CLT to FLL on Dec. 15 and returning on Dec. 23. This is for a cruise so our dates aren't flexible. One of group mates wants to use D1 passes to fly on those dates. How bad of an idea is this? The cruise is already paid for and I would rather not have any mishaps. I know there are no guarantees. I'm figuring with the holidays the chances of using a D1 pass are even more slim than usual.
Your thoughts?
Your thoughts?
It is bad enough it is during the Christmas season, but you also want to travel on 2 specific weekend days.
Oct 23, 2018, 12:01 am
#9
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I need to purchase tickets for our group from CLT to FLL on Dec. 15 and returning on Dec. 23. This is for a cruise so our dates aren't flexible. One of group mates wants to use D1 passes to fly on those dates. How bad of an idea is this? The cruise is already paid for and I would rather not have any mishaps. I know there are no guarantees. I'm figuring with the holidays the chances of using a D1 pass are even more slim than usual.
Your thoughts?
Your thoughts?
It is bad enough it is during the Christmas season, but they also want to travel on 2 specific weekend days TO FLORIDA..........IN DECEMBER........TO and FROM the 2ND busiest cruise port in the world, on average.......even more so during December............and is even popular with the non cruisers
Oct 23, 2018, 5:37 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
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Posts: 175
The flights I had on hold had us all flying in the day before the cruise. But, I feel like even given that fact, it's still not worth the stress of possibly not making it there all day. Besides, she should be able to get 20% off her regular priced flight from what I understand.
Oct 23, 2018, 7:54 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2015
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If they really want to make the cruise, seriously considering buying at least the outbound, roundtrip if they have to get back by a certain date.
It is bad enough it is during the Christmas season, but they also want to travel on 2 specific weekend days TO FLORIDA..........IN DECEMBER........TO and FROM the 2ND busiest cruise port in the world, on average.......even more so during December............and is even popular with the non cruisers
It is bad enough it is during the Christmas season, but they also want to travel on 2 specific weekend days TO FLORIDA..........IN DECEMBER........TO and FROM the 2ND busiest cruise port in the world, on average.......even more so during December............and is even popular with the non cruisers
I couldn't help myself.