Delta quietly increases change fee to $100 too
Jan 28, 2001, 12:39 pm
#1
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: New York City
Posts: 3,506
Delta quietly increases change fee to $100 too
I was just viewing domestic flights on Travelocity and clicked on rules: DL has followed CO and UA and increased its "administrative fee" for changing tickets.
However, Uncle Leo has agreed that next time he cancels a passenger's flights and reschedules them, he will be more than happy to give them $100. After all, simple good business is all about a little give and take ...
However, Uncle Leo has agreed that next time he cancels a passenger's flights and reschedules them, he will be more than happy to give them $100. After all, simple good business is all about a little give and take ...
Jan 28, 2001, 1:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 782
I can't understand why DL hasn't touted this latest "enhancement." After all, we asked for it...didn't we?
[This message has been edited by mhbaker (edited 01-28-2001).]
[This message has been edited by mhbaker (edited 01-28-2001).]
Jan 28, 2001, 2:52 pm
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Los Angeles, CA - Nearly 4 Million Actual Miles Flown
Posts: 5,522
I am furious!!! I spend mostly my own money to get my PM status, and this is the way they reward me for my loyalty? Who pays me when they cancel a flight? Who pays me when they delay a flight 3 hours (I've never received a voucher in the mail, unlike a lot on FT). I'm livid.
Leroy, Do we have more concrete proof or URL's to go to ?
Leroy, Do we have more concrete proof or URL's to go to ?
Jan 28, 2001, 3:07 pm
#4
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Posts: 1,976
predictable.
Jan 28, 2001, 3:09 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Interesting... travelocity.com lists the 100 USD, delta.com 75 USD. 
Jan 29, 2001, 4:46 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: HSV
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Posts: 498
Originally posted by rcs85551:
Interesting... travelocity.com lists the 100 USD, delta.com 75 USD.
Interesting... travelocity.com lists the 100 USD, delta.com 75 USD.
Jan 29, 2001, 5:10 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: South Florida USA
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Posts: 1,515
I made a reservation yesterday and ticketed it over the phone. The agent advised the change fee was 75.00
TW
TW
Jan 29, 2001, 7:06 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Northeast
Programs: DL PLAT / HH GOLD
Posts: 132
Effective 1/29 $100.00 for changing reservations
Jan 29, 2001, 7:59 am
#9
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
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It's all about "being competitive"...
Higher fares? Let's "compete" and raise ours too.
Higher fees? Let's "compete" and raise ours too.
Restrictive benefits? Let's "compete" and restrict ours too. Gee, why don't we *Really* compete and make our upgrades really restrictive? (L/U, international)
Other airlines are increasing pitch? We're not going to compete there!
Other airlines don't use commuter aircraft on business routes? We're not going to compete there!
Other alliances have their act together as far as partners' understanding and applying benefits to their customers? We sure as #%@$ aren't going to compete there!!!
------------------
"Sire, it is not a revolt. It is a Revolution!"
[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 01-29-2001).]
Higher fares? Let's "compete" and raise ours too.
Higher fees? Let's "compete" and raise ours too.
Restrictive benefits? Let's "compete" and restrict ours too. Gee, why don't we *Really* compete and make our upgrades really restrictive? (L/U, international)
Other airlines are increasing pitch? We're not going to compete there!
Other airlines don't use commuter aircraft on business routes? We're not going to compete there!
Other alliances have their act together as far as partners' understanding and applying benefits to their customers? We sure as #%@$ aren't going to compete there!!!
------------------
"Sire, it is not a revolt. It is a Revolution!"
[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 01-29-2001).]
Jan 29, 2001, 8:59 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
Posts: 1
I am always amazed at the speed with which this company moves to increase fees and prices. They are lightening quick in the name of competition.
however in the areas of real customer service they are are a bit more reserved. ATM Kiosks?..they still need studying for this customer driven item. This weekend it was announced in the news that they are going to thinner seats to "increase personal space". The pitch won't be incrreased, the legroom won't be increased, just the thickness of the seat. I know one thing, when they come out with customer service initiatives, it rarely has anything to do with the customer. Customers to Leo and company are a nusance.
Customer service to DELTA is changing the color scheme on their jets.
however in the areas of real customer service they are are a bit more reserved. ATM Kiosks?..they still need studying for this customer driven item. This weekend it was announced in the news that they are going to thinner seats to "increase personal space". The pitch won't be incrreased, the legroom won't be increased, just the thickness of the seat. I know one thing, when they come out with customer service initiatives, it rarely has anything to do with the customer. Customers to Leo and company are a nusance.
Customer service to DELTA is changing the color scheme on their jets.
Jan 29, 2001, 3:55 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: ARGH-phila-pa, usa
Posts: 130
Change fee movement to $100 is legit. I hit it today. Thankfully my switch actually *saved* me money. Agent claimed DL was the last to up the fee. Since I've only flown US and WN in the last few months - it was $75 with US lat time I checked.
They make a ton of money off me on the change fee. If everyone else is at $100 i'm not going to jump on DL just because everything else they've done is stupid...but then again - their press t'aint been good lately.
Agent was courteous as they always seem to be.
-G
They make a ton of money off me on the change fee. If everyone else is at $100 i'm not going to jump on DL just because everything else they've done is stupid...but then again - their press t'aint been good lately.
Agent was courteous as they always seem to be.
-G
Jan 29, 2001, 4:30 pm
#12
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I don't get it. It takes them maybe 5 minutes to change the flight. Not sure why it is so long, but let's call it 5 minutes.
So, at 12 per hour, that comes out to $1200 per hour for their time. And Delta is having trouble with $300 an hour pilot pay?!
This does not make sense.
And, if Delta CHANGES my flight because they can not find a crew, or they cancel the flight, or.... they don't have to give me anything. But if you or I get stuck in traffic, oversleep, in a meeting, or just have a change in travel plans, WHAM - $100. I just don't get it.
Jan 29, 2001, 4:38 pm
#13
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Niceville, FL, USA
Posts: 2,793
Well, gee.
First of all, I do not disagree with any of the above posts. I'd just like to include another perspective on it...
Most of my changes come as a result of company/client needs. As such, it is the company/client who ultimately winds up paying for them. So, basically, I don't care in these circumstances.
For personal travel, when I buy a nonrefundable ticket, I understand that it is a forever good, no-changes and no refunds allowed ticket. The fact that for a hefty fee I CAN change it, is nothing but a bonus to me. If I need flexibility, I buy a full fare. If I want to take a chance on saving money versus losing it all, that is my option. And I would not quibble with that. That Delta, and others, do give me an option, is adding value to the ticket, IMHO.
YES, the fees are large and getting larger. But for the money saved, it is worth the risk to me, especially when there is a "lifeline" even though it costs $$.
First of all, I do not disagree with any of the above posts. I'd just like to include another perspective on it...
Most of my changes come as a result of company/client needs. As such, it is the company/client who ultimately winds up paying for them. So, basically, I don't care in these circumstances.
For personal travel, when I buy a nonrefundable ticket, I understand that it is a forever good, no-changes and no refunds allowed ticket. The fact that for a hefty fee I CAN change it, is nothing but a bonus to me. If I need flexibility, I buy a full fare. If I want to take a chance on saving money versus losing it all, that is my option. And I would not quibble with that. That Delta, and others, do give me an option, is adding value to the ticket, IMHO.
YES, the fees are large and getting larger. But for the money saved, it is worth the risk to me, especially when there is a "lifeline" even though it costs $$.
Jan 29, 2001, 5:28 pm
#14
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If airlines need more money, they should raise the fare. The change fee should represent the real cost of changing a ticket, which is much less than $75 for a paper ticket, and practically zero for an E-ticket.
It is unfair to charge an outrageous amount of money to change a ticket, because usually people change tickets because they HAVE to, not because they chose a return date at random to begin with.
The same principle applies to charging an outrageous amount of money for buying a ticket at the last minute, or not staying over Saturday night, or flying one way, or flying to a hub. The $100 change fee is more of the same. Enough already!
It is unfair to charge an outrageous amount of money to change a ticket, because usually people change tickets because they HAVE to, not because they chose a return date at random to begin with.
The same principle applies to charging an outrageous amount of money for buying a ticket at the last minute, or not staying over Saturday night, or flying one way, or flying to a hub. The $100 change fee is more of the same. Enough already!
Jan 29, 2001, 6:14 pm
#15
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What a businessman. I hope you never work for my company. Bill em, screw em, not my money! Yikes!
Originally posted by hnechets:
Well, gee.
First of all, I do not disagree with any of the above posts. I'd just like to include another perspective on it...
Most of my changes come as a result of company/client needs. As such, it is the company/client who ultimately winds up paying for them. So, basically, I don't care in these circumstances.
Well, gee.
First of all, I do not disagree with any of the above posts. I'd just like to include another perspective on it...
Most of my changes come as a result of company/client needs. As such, it is the company/client who ultimately winds up paying for them. So, basically, I don't care in these circumstances.