DOT May 8, 2015 Notice: Enforcement Policy Regarding Mistaken Fares
May 9, 2015, 7:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 14
DOT May 8, 2015 Notice: Enforcement Policy Regarding Mistaken Fares
A notice was posted sometime yesterday on the DOT website under What's new regarding the enforcement of mistake fares. It is silent on the 24 hour hold issue, but after a quick read, it seems to be a temporary "get out of jail free card" for the airlines going forward from Friday.
https://cms.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/fi...t_05082015.pdf
https://cms.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/fi...t_05082015.pdf
May 9, 2015, 8:26 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,084
A notice was posted sometime yesterday on the DOT website under What's new regarding the enforcement of mistake fares. It is silent on the 24 hour hold issue, but after a quick read, it seems to be a temporary "get out of jail free card" for the airlines going forward from Friday.
https://cms.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/fi...t_05082015.pdf
https://cms.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/fi...t_05082015.pdf
May 9, 2015, 8:38 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,670
It says "the Enforcement Office will not enforce the requirement of section 399.88 with regard to mistaken fares occurring on or after the date of this notice" (bolded mine), which is May 8. This does not include the present fare, which occurred in March, so, technically, AA should still answer the "holds" issue.
May 9, 2015, 10:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
A notice was posted sometime yesterday on the DOT website under What's new regarding the enforcement of mistake fares. It is silent on the 24 hour hold issue, but after a quick read, it seems to be a temporary "get out of jail free card" for the airlines going forward from Friday.
https://cms.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/fi...t_05082015.pdf
https://cms.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/fi...t_05082015.pdf
There is still hope.
May 9, 2015, 10:35 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
I wonder if this might prompt purchasers of the mistake fare to incur a whole bunch of non-refundable costs for hotels and other expenses related to the travel. Demand reimbursement from the airline, and then go on the trip and use what you purchased. The airline might end up covering your stay at the Ritz.
If the notice is an indication of where the department is leaning in its rulemaking, then my guess is that premium cabin mistake fares are likely dead. Economy mistake fares may survive, since reimbursement of non-refundable expenses could make honoring the fare an economically viable option.
May 9, 2015, 10:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: KSTP KSPG
Programs: AOPA
Posts: 974
the temp reg is not good for the consumers.
they need to have rule saying the airline can ONLY cancel within 24 hours of booking of a mistake fare, greater than 24 hours, the fare will stand.
PEK held tickets might come back.
they need to have rule saying the airline can ONLY cancel within 24 hours of booking of a mistake fare, greater than 24 hours, the fare will stand.
PEK held tickets might come back.
May 10, 2015, 1:48 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,784
What's the process for making a submission?
In my opinion, if the guideline has to change it must protect consumers and the airline equally. For example, if airlines are to be given seven days to notify of an alleged mistake fare, then consumers must also be given seven days to inform the airline that they made a mistake.
Maybe we could have a new thread discussing the DOT's process here.
In my opinion, if the guideline has to change it must protect consumers and the airline equally. For example, if airlines are to be given seven days to notify of an alleged mistake fare, then consumers must also be given seven days to inform the airline that they made a mistake.
Maybe we could have a new thread discussing the DOT's process here.
May 10, 2015, 5:37 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,670
The direction of this doesn't look good...If premium fares "special offers" are gone, this will take away most of the excitement for being on this fora. Plus, whenever a good discounted fare becomes available (like a $1500-1700 TATL biz fare), we won't know if it will be honored.
Anyway, the DOT temporary ruling should have been "things will stand as they are, until we figure the new guideline out" and not "you don't have to honor fares, until we can figure this out".
Anyway, the DOT temporary ruling should have been "things will stand as they are, until we figure the new guideline out" and not "you don't have to honor fares, until we can figure this out".
May 10, 2015, 7:49 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Loud, dark, warm, lots of ethernet cables, and in some rack space.
Programs: AA:EXP
Posts: 369
Rather than discussing and arguing it here continuously, why not write a formal comment letter to DOT? Most regulation agencies will allow a commenting period on new regulations. It would give them insight on the fears and routes they could go with these mistake fares.
May 10, 2015, 9:46 am
#10
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,473
Thank you PITgetawayflyer for bringing this to our attention. I have split this discussion from the AA PEK thread into a separate thread for further comment.
Pat89339
Moderator, Mileage Run Forum
Pat89339
Moderator, Mileage Run Forum
May 10, 2015, 9:47 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
DOT realy should give 24 hours for airlines to determine if a fare is a mistake just like we are only given 24 hours to get out of a reservation. Its only fair.
BTW anyone know of any good mistake fares to the bottom tip of south america? I think it may be time to book that $10K Antarctic cruise I've been looking at
BTW anyone know of any good mistake fares to the bottom tip of south america? I think it may be time to book that $10K Antarctic cruise I've been looking at
May 10, 2015, 9:50 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 721
May 10, 2015, 9:52 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CLT / AVL
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Kimpton IC; IHG Diamond Ambassador;
Posts: 319