My first flight to Mexico delayed for 8 hours, will Delta put me on another airline?
Jan 9, 2023, 3:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: AA, UA
Posts: 117
My first flight to Mexico delayed for 8 hours, will Delta put me on another airline?
I arrived at the airport (RDU) and was told my flight to Atlanta was delayed for about 8 hours. That flight to ATL was the first of two flights to get me to Mexico City. Because of the long delay, I did not make my connecting flight.
The logical thing to do was for Delta to put me on American Airlines which had more flights to Mexico City than Delta. I did not push it with the Delta Rep in Customer Service. There were no options to get me to Mexico City that day on Delta. They just rebooked me on the early morning flight the next day. Because the flight was so early I just hung out at the airport all night.
If I pushed it harder do you think Delta would have transferred me to either American Airlines or United Airlines? (I was flying coach class and had no status.)
The logical thing to do was for Delta to put me on American Airlines which had more flights to Mexico City than Delta. I did not push it with the Delta Rep in Customer Service. There were no options to get me to Mexico City that day on Delta. They just rebooked me on the early morning flight the next day. Because the flight was so early I just hung out at the airport all night.
If I pushed it harder do you think Delta would have transferred me to either American Airlines or United Airlines? (I was flying coach class and had no status.)
Jan 9, 2023, 4:04 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,146
I arrived at the airport (RDU) and was told my flight to Atlanta was delayed for about 8 hours. That flight to ATL was the first of two flights to get me to Mexico City. Because of the long delay, I did not make my connecting flight.
The logical thing to do was for Delta to put me on American Airlines which had more flights to Mexico City than Delta. I did not push it with the Delta Rep in Customer Service. There were no options to get me to Mexico City that day on Delta. They just rebooked me on the early morning flight the next day. Because the flight was so early I just hung out at the airport all night.
If I pushed it harder do you think Delta would have transferred me to either American Airlines or United Airlines? (I was flying coach class and had no status.)
The logical thing to do was for Delta to put me on American Airlines which had more flights to Mexico City than Delta. I did not push it with the Delta Rep in Customer Service. There were no options to get me to Mexico City that day on Delta. They just rebooked me on the early morning flight the next day. Because the flight was so early I just hung out at the airport all night.
If I pushed it harder do you think Delta would have transferred me to either American Airlines or United Airlines? (I was flying coach class and had no status.)
Jan 9, 2023, 5:51 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,732
What was the reason for the delay? If it was in Delta's control (lots of variability in what makes it in its control), they should have given you a hotel voucher and meal vouchers. If weather related, hit or miss with those. I've had DL put me on another airline as well, but I was pretty specific with my request (what about AA flight 123). They are not required to do that, but sometimes will.
Jan 16, 2023, 8:32 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,142
The exact same thing could happen with AA. If you book the noon PDX flight to DFW connecting to MEX and the PDX-DFW flight is delayed by an hour or more, you most likely won't be getting to MEX until the next day. Even if AA would be willing to put you on another airline, there's no guarantee they could get you there same day. DL actually has fairly decent options from the west due to AM partnership. If you want to improve your chances of getting to MEX same day, it's probably best to book one of the early morning connecting flights out of PDX on AA or DL. Mexico fares also allow for overnight connections and you could book a flight into your connecting city the night before and stay in a hotel there if you want to improve chances of getting to destination on a particular day.
Last edited by xliioper; Jan 16, 2023 at 8:38 am
Jan 17, 2023, 9:09 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: PVR
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 114
I arrived at the airport (RDU) and was told my flight to Atlanta was delayed for about 8 hours. That flight to ATL was the first of two flights to get me to Mexico City. Because of the long delay, I did not make my connecting flight.
The logical thing to do was for Delta to put me on American Airlines which had more flights to Mexico City than Delta. I did not push it with the Delta Rep in Customer Service. There were no options to get me to Mexico City that day on Delta. They just rebooked me on the early morning flight the next day. Because the flight was so early I just hung out at the airport all night.
If I pushed it harder do you think Delta would have transferred me to either American Airlines or United Airlines? (I was flying coach class and had no status.)
The logical thing to do was for Delta to put me on American Airlines which had more flights to Mexico City than Delta. I did not push it with the Delta Rep in Customer Service. There were no options to get me to Mexico City that day on Delta. They just rebooked me on the early morning flight the next day. Because the flight was so early I just hung out at the airport all night.
If I pushed it harder do you think Delta would have transferred me to either American Airlines or United Airlines? (I was flying coach class and had no status.)
Also try to be polite when asking for more. I am a former ticket agent and we would give more amenities to polite passengers in your situation than to those who threaten or are abusive.
Jan 17, 2023, 9:18 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,876
Because too many get confused by non-stop versus direct, just write all the stops out.