Would you book a miserable flight on a cheap price and wait for a schedule change?
Oct 5, 2015, 8:35 pm
#1
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Would you book a miserable flight on a cheap price and wait for a schedule change?
Need to fly from Sacramento to Charleston South Carolina next summer in August. Right now on my desired dates I can buy for $290 however it involves connections in both SLC and ATL and a redeye from SLC to ATL. I don't mind the redeye in fact I would like to get the direct Sacramento to Atlanta redeye however the price right now is significantly higher ($490) for that combo. I'm thinking if I buy it now eventually there'll be a schedule change and I can certainly get that one stop for no extra cost. Thoughts?
Oct 5, 2015, 8:40 pm
#2
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Need to fly from Sacramento to Charleston South Carolina next summer in August. Right now on my desired dates I can buy for $290 however it involves connections in both SLC and ATL and a redeye from SLC to ATL. I don't mind the redeye in fact I would like to get the direct Sacramento to Atlanta redeye however the price right now is significantly higher ($490) for that combo. I'm thinking if I buy it now eventually there'll be a schedule change and I can certainly get that one stop for no extra cost. Thoughts?
Oct 5, 2015, 8:46 pm
#3
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I can only speak as a DM, but, PMs seem to get nearly similar treatment, when I say that, you'll likely be allowed a fairly liberal schedule adjustment - when, NOT IF - there's a schedule change. What if you need to change the dates or canx all together?
Oct 5, 2015, 8:54 pm
#4
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I would certainly go for it, but how tight are the connections as they stand? I ask this only because this is the kind of itinerary that's less likely than most to have a large enough schedule adjustment to automatically trigger a free change. The SLC banks tend to be pretty locked in schedules year-round, the SLC-ATL redeyes tend to be around the same time, and the morning banks in ATL tend to connect from the redeyes pretty well year-round.
As mentioned, though, you may well get a greater ability to make changes as a PM. You might be able to talk your way into it because of changes in aircraft type, slight schedule adjustments, etc.
As mentioned, though, you may well get a greater ability to make changes as a PM. You might be able to talk your way into it because of changes in aircraft type, slight schedule adjustments, etc.
Oct 5, 2015, 9:58 pm
#6
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My experience is that on cash tickets (as opposed to mileage award tickets) they are a little more strict about rebooking. They follow the rules pretty closely as far as minimum disruption time for a free change. I don't think I'd risk a domestic flight like that if I would be dreading the double stop when I just wanted to sleep.
Oct 6, 2015, 2:28 am
#7
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Definitely go for it. I've done this many times and usually even had an agent suggest a more direct route when calling in re the schedule change. I've found it easier to get them to do this on standard booked tickets (cash) vs. mileage award tickets as the mileage ticket can require another department to open up award inventory at the originally priced mileage level. I'd say snag the $290 with the two connections and check your itinerary once a week until a schedule change happens.
Oct 6, 2015, 4:36 am
#9
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... this is the kind of itinerary that's less likely than most to have a large enough schedule adjustment to automatically trigger a free change. The SLC banks tend to be pretty locked in schedules year-round, the SLC-ATL redeyes tend to be around the same time, and the morning banks in ATL tend to connect from the redeyes pretty well year-round.
SMF-SLC could in fact go from mainline to a CR7/CR9 which would be a change of operating carrier; not sure if any ATL-CHS trips are occasionally farmed out to the DL Connection affiliates
Oct 6, 2015, 5:18 am
#10
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The OP needs a schedule change of more than 90 minutes by the C of C to get flexibility in rebooking (or right to cancel). He is unlikely to get that on ATL-CHS which is both frequent (ten times or more on weekdays) and 100% mainline.
Oct 6, 2015, 6:06 am
#11
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I've had 100% success as a PM in rebooking due to a carrier change (Mainline to commuter). That includes routing changes. The same with connections going below MCT, even by a minute.
The key thing is that you're willing to fly the as booked route.
If you do it (and I would), check for schedule changes monthly until April and then weekly, on Monday mornings) from then on.
The key thing is that you're willing to fly the as booked route.
If you do it (and I would), check for schedule changes monthly until April and then weekly, on Monday mornings) from then on.
Oct 6, 2015, 8:31 am
#12
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OP here, lots of excellent input...thanks! the trip dates are locked in for a wedding, so unless the engagement falls apart before then...
the flights i am considering have >2 hour layovers, so the point about changes not necessarily breaking the ticket is a good one. the SMF-SLC segment is already CR700.
i'll have to think about this a little more today. i can also get SFO-CHS for a cheap price, and get the more desirable one stop itineraries from the get-go. however, going to SFO airport is significantly more annoying. i won't be PM next year, but i will be GM nominated via my dad's DM status.
the flights i am considering have >2 hour layovers, so the point about changes not necessarily breaking the ticket is a good one. the SMF-SLC segment is already CR700.
i'll have to think about this a little more today. i can also get SFO-CHS for a cheap price, and get the more desirable one stop itineraries from the get-go. however, going to SFO airport is significantly more annoying. i won't be PM next year, but i will be GM nominated via my dad's DM status.
Oct 6, 2015, 9:51 am
#13
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I've had 100% success as a PM in rebooking due to a carrier change (Mainline to commuter). That includes routing changes. The same with connections going below MCT, even by a minute.
The key thing is that you're willing to fly the as booked route.
If you do it (and I would), check for schedule changes monthly until April and then weekly, on Monday mornings) from then on.
The key thing is that you're willing to fly the as booked route.
If you do it (and I would), check for schedule changes monthly until April and then weekly, on Monday mornings) from then on.
Similarly, if an itinerary violates MCT by any amount, it must be rebooked or you can cancel the ticket for free.
BTW, I check for schedule changes on Saturdays.
Oct 6, 2015, 10:12 am
#15
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You should have 100% success since a change of carrier from mainline to DL Connection is a situation where DOT regulations say that you can change or cancel for free.
Similarly, if an itinerary violates MCT by any amount, it must be rebooked or you can cancel the ticket for free.
BTW, I check for schedule changes on Saturdays.
Similarly, if an itinerary violates MCT by any amount, it must be rebooked or you can cancel the ticket for free.
BTW, I check for schedule changes on Saturdays.