Missing a flight on purpose-protocol
Apr 10, 2005 | 8:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: DL GOLD
Posts: 245
Missing a flight on purpose-protocol
I want to take a later flight out. Plenty of room on it. Don't want to pay the$100 change fee.
What do I need to know?
What do I need to know?
Apr 10, 2005 | 8:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
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At the airport, the kiosk's will give you the option to change to a different same day flight, if available, otherwise if you don't cancel before your scheduled flight departs, your ticket turns into a pumpkin. 
Apr 10, 2005 | 11:28 pm
#3
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Originally Posted by snake
At the airport, the kiosk's will give you the option to change to a different same day flight, if available, otherwise if you don't cancel before your scheduled flight departs, your ticket turns into a pumpkin.
and make it to the airport a little late, will CO really not accommodate you on a later, same day flight on a standby basis, subject of course to space availability?
Apr 11, 2005 | 7:24 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
There used to be a "flat tire rule" which allowed you to stand-by for a later flight if you arrived at the airport within 2 hours of your scheduled departure. This was replaced by the "pumpkin" rule if you fail to cancel before flight departure.
Times have changed, so now you'd better have a cell phone if you're trusting your tires to get to the airport on time.
Times have changed, so now you'd better have a cell phone if you're trusting your tires to get to the airport on time.
Apr 11, 2005 | 7:46 am
#5
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Originally Posted by snake
At the airport, the kiosk's will give you the option to change to a different same day flight, if available, otherwise if you don't cancel before your scheduled flight departs, your ticket turns into a pumpkin.
Apr 11, 2005 | 8:06 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lovely Tahoe City
Programs: UA 1mm Gold. Former 1K and GS.
Posts: 951
After the CO do where I missed my earlier flight, they rebooked me no problem. I was at the airport within 2 hours of my original depart time though. However, per normal, my ENTIRE itinerary was cancelled and had to be rebooked, including the loss of one EUA for the flight home. I had to wait until midnight and fortunately, it did clear the second time again.
I'd re-think the $100, just to be safe. It's actually a pretty cheap insurance policy and gets you a better chance of UG on the later flight rather than just showing up.
I'd re-think the $100, just to be safe. It's actually a pretty cheap insurance policy and gets you a better chance of UG on the later flight rather than just showing up.
Apr 11, 2005 | 8:12 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
Don't just take my word for it
From the current rules,
The "pumpkin" rule:
Standby rule:
Obviously the airport agents have some discretion, but the rules are pretty clear. A grumpy dude behind the ticket counter could ruin your day.
The "pumpkin" rule:
Code:
NOTE - ITINERARIES MAY BE REBOOKED UP TO ONE YEAR FROM ORIGINAL TICKET ISSUE DATE PROVIDED THE PASSENGER CANCELS THE TICKETED FLIGHT RESERVATION PRIOR TO TICKETED DEPARTURE TIME. IF THE TICKETED FLIGHT RESERVATION IS NOT CANCELLED PRIOR TO TICKETED DEPARTURE TIME REBOOKING IS NOT PERMITTED AND THE TICKET HAS NO VALUE.
Code:
3.PRIOR TO TICKETED DEPARTURE TIME PASSENGERS HOLDING CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS AND TICKETS MAY STANDBY ON NONSTOP AND/OR CONNECTING CO FLIGHTS ON THE SAME DAY AND BETWEEN THE SAME ORIGIN AND DESTINATION AIPORTS. PASSENGERS MAY STANDBY ON SAME DAY FLIGHTS AFTER THEIR TICKETED DEPARTURE TIME ONLY IF THEY HAVE CANCELLED THEIR RESERVATION PRIOR TO THE TICKETED DEPARTURE TIME.
Last edited by snake; Apr 11, 2005 at 8:23 am
Apr 11, 2005 | 9:17 am
#8
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Originally Posted by snake
Code:
PASSENGERS MAY STANDBY ON SAME DAY FLIGHTS AFTER THEIR TICKETED DEPARTURE TIME ONLY IF THEY HAVE CANCELLED THEIR RESERVATION PRIOR TO THE TICKETED DEPARTURE TIME.
I'm still confused. Not by your post, but by CO's policy. How would a passenger standby on a then-cancelled reservation for a later, same day flight?
I mean, if the reservation has been cancelled, what is the foundation for standby travel?
Apr 11, 2005 | 9:31 am
#9
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Join Date: Jun 2004
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It's easier to pull this at EWR...
(I've never done this BTW, but have heard) -You can claim you took Amtrak in and the train was late.. (i.e. arrive at checkin counter at like departure time or a few minutes after) and I've heard they rebook you no problem.
-Vincent
(I've never done this BTW, but have heard) -You can claim you took Amtrak in and the train was late.. (i.e. arrive at checkin counter at like departure time or a few minutes after) and I've heard they rebook you no problem.
-Vincent
Apr 11, 2005 | 7:11 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
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I was told my ticket was worth nothing last time I missed my flight. The agent told me I have to be there 2 hours prior to the depature time in order to stand by the later flight. I told her it didnt' make sense because I wouldn't miss my flight if I was there 2 hours earlier.
I went to PC, and the agent there rebooked me on later flights with assigned seats.
I went to PC, and the agent there rebooked me on later flights with assigned seats.
Apr 11, 2005 | 7:54 pm
#11
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: EWR (Wayne Township, NJ) and PHX
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Originally Posted by Bookexp
I was told my ticket was worth nothing last time I missed my flight. The agent told me I have to be there 2 hours prior to the depature time in order to stand by the later flight. I told her it didnt' make sense because I wouldn't miss my flight if I was there 2 hours earlier.
I went to PC, and the agent there rebooked me on later flights with assigned seats.
I went to PC, and the agent there rebooked me on later flights with assigned seats.
Have I mentioned today how I love the consistent delivery of the Continental product?
-Vincent
Apr 11, 2005 | 8:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,686
Originally Posted by cAAl
I'm still confused. Not by your post, but by CO's policy. How would a passenger standby on a then-cancelled reservation for a later, same day flight? I mean, if the reservation has been cancelled, what is the foundation for standby travel?
I mean, if the reservation has been cancelled, what is the foundation for standby travel?I do know that my friend's grandmother arrived late for a flight at EWR and was forced to pay a change fee AND the difference in fare to take a later flight. He was just telling me about it last night, saying they were real jerks to grandma. So do be careful!
Apr 11, 2005 | 9:39 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 700
Who among us has not been late for a flight, either because of traffic or a meeting that lasted forever, or some other reason. Then you get to the airport, and even though there is space available on a later flight, your airline is just waiting for the opportunity to stick it to their customer. It is uncivilized. If we ran our businesses this way, we would be broke . . . oh wait, the airlines are broke . . . it figures.
Apr 11, 2005 | 10:15 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Michigan
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Last fall I overslept and missed an 8am TPA-EWR. I arrived at the airport around 10:30am and smiled to the agent at the counter as I told her that I think I missed my 8am flight. She laughed, spent 5 minutes typing, then handed me boarding passes (upgraded no less) TPA-IAH-DTW (rather than TPA-EWR-DTW) and my flight was leaving in 30 minutes.
Apr 18, 2005 | 6:28 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
Originally Posted by geoffco
Last fall I overslept and missed an 8am TPA-EWR. I arrived at the airport around 10:30am and smiled to the agent at the counter as I told her that I think I missed my 8am flight. She laughed, spent 5 minutes typing, then handed me boarding passes (upgraded no less) TPA-IAH-DTW (rather than TPA-EWR-DTW) and my flight was leaving in 30 minutes.
Had the same experience and time on the way down to the CO event PHL-IAH. 8am flight, overslept. Actually, was blacked out from that night/morning and didn't arrive until 10:30. Was expecting the worst on an el cheapo fare and egregious lateness.
Without a word, the agent got me on the next flight, full, and apologized that he could only get an aisle seat in the rear. Did ask to see the Plat card.
Heading EWR-IAH-SJU next Sunday morning. Haven't had an early Sun wake-up since, well, insert a line.
Not expecting any miracles and I count these as gifts I return to CO in the form of tickets.