Will delta honor a pricing glitch?
#181
Join Date: Oct 2012
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To some extent, the MQD requirements do this. The glitch fares will only help on status for those who also fly a lot of expensive fares--or who get the AmEx spend or foreign address waivers. For instance, a few glitch trips to Hawaii would potentially help a segment qualifier to reach a higher elite level using MQMs rather than MQSs.
#182
Join Date: Aug 2009
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I was on a DL international flight at the time, without WiFi. I'm not sure what I would have done if I had known.
To me, it was surprising how few bloggers picked it up at the time. When I learned about the glitch, I half expected that that would have been the hot-breaking blog topic that morning, with the resulting screams about whether the bloggers had "spoiled" it for everyone. Even a couple days later, few blogs seem to have discussed it, although IIRC a few bloggers (including some who normally avoid DL) report having bought multiple tickets at the glitch prices.
To me, it was surprising how few bloggers picked it up at the time. When I learned about the glitch, I half expected that that would have been the hot-breaking blog topic that morning, with the resulting screams about whether the bloggers had "spoiled" it for everyone. Even a couple days later, few blogs seem to have discussed it, although IIRC a few bloggers (including some who normally avoid DL) report having bought multiple tickets at the glitch prices.
#183
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Simple fix here would be for airlines to declare in SkyMiles T&C that any fare declared a 'fare mistake' before travel will not accrue any benefits to the SM program.
While people still may travel on the fares to actually get somewhere they want to go, my guess is you would eliminate a lot of demand from MR.
While people still may travel on the fares to actually get somewhere they want to go, my guess is you would eliminate a lot of demand from MR.
#184
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I'm not sure why some have adopted the 'poor Delta' line. Everyone makes mistakes and Delta has to live with this one. If I make a mistake when booking a ticket Delta is surely going to make a nice profit off of me in change fees and fare differences. The mistake was my fault and I wouldn't expect anyone else to throw a pity party for me. If Delta is making so many mistakes in fare pricing that they need to add disclaimers then something is terribly wrong.
#185
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I'm not sure why some have adopted the 'poor Delta' line. Everyone makes mistakes and Delta has to live with this one. If I make a mistake when booking a ticket Delta is surely going to make a nice profit off of me in change fees and fare differences. The mistake was my fault and I wouldn't expect anyone else to throw a pity party for me. If Delta is making so many mistakes in fare pricing that they need to add disclaimers then something is terribly wrong.
#188
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
If you make a mistake in booking your ticket you have 24 hours to cancel your ticket with no penalty, a concession provided by Delta to meet DoT rules. On the other hand, DoT rules require Delta to honor pricing mistakes with no grace period given to Delta. I'm not trying to stand up for airlines making mistakes, but to claim that they deserve it because they would do the same doesn't hold water in my opinion.
#189
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#190
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SLC
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Posts: 690
I was on a DL international flight at the time, without WiFi. I'm not sure what I would have done if I had known.
To me, it was surprising how few bloggers picked it up at the time. When I learned about the glitch, I half expected that that would have been the hot-breaking blog topic that morning, with the resulting screams about whether the bloggers had "spoiled" it for everyone. Even a couple days later, few blogs seem to have discussed it, although IIRC a few bloggers (including some who normally avoid DL) report having bought multiple tickets at the glitch prices.
To me, it was surprising how few bloggers picked it up at the time. When I learned about the glitch, I half expected that that would have been the hot-breaking blog topic that morning, with the resulting screams about whether the bloggers had "spoiled" it for everyone. Even a couple days later, few blogs seem to have discussed it, although IIRC a few bloggers (including some who normally avoid DL) report having bought multiple tickets at the glitch prices.
#191
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#192
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Given the discussion in another thread about the ethics of taking advantage of mistake fares, I'm interested to hear if she or her colleagues are bound by any industry ethics guidelines. Or if they have an informal comm channel like we have FT to assist the process?
#193
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In the case of Delta's fare mistakes the tickets have a fare value. So if you have a ticket number they are obligated to honor it.
No ticket number then you again are not likely to prevail.
#194
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Back in 2006 I purchased a different kind of "glitch" fare on NW -- in fact two of them -- allowed routing east coast of US to AMS and London by way on HNL and ANC in both directions. They generated 25-30,000 base miles for about $400 each (the current normal routing fare for east coast to the transAtlantic hubs).
I tried to volunteer to take a bump on one of the legs -- SEA-AMS or LGW as I recall (I think NW was still flying to Gatwick at the time). The agent initially said yes, then called me up and said that because I was flying on the "glitch" routing he couldn't make any changes in the ticket, so couldn't accept me as a VDB.
The kicker was, he gave me an opup.
So I'm not surprised that DL would want to hold fast to the routing.
tom
I tried to volunteer to take a bump on one of the legs -- SEA-AMS or LGW as I recall (I think NW was still flying to Gatwick at the time). The agent initially said yes, then called me up and said that because I was flying on the "glitch" routing he couldn't make any changes in the ticket, so couldn't accept me as a VDB.
The kicker was, he gave me an opup.
So I'm not surprised that DL would want to hold fast to the routing.
tom
#195
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DL doesn't even need to change the rules. For most of these flights, such as all the HNL vacations people grabbed, there won't be any X inventory for SDC or G for those with FC tickets. It's unfortunate that this can also affect those who purchased regular fares earlier.