Do you proactively check alternate flights in the event that yours may be cancelled?
Aug 25, 2004, 10:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New York & London
Posts: 290
Do you proactively check alternate flights in the event that yours may be cancelled?
Flying UA this past weekend PHL-IAD-SAN, the first leg of my trip was cancelled and I was rerouted via DEN. My new flight to DEN was delayed so I missed the connector to SAN.
The question being: Before leaving for the airport do you check alternate flights so that in the event your flight is cancelled/delayed you know what your alternatives are?
The question being: Before leaving for the airport do you check alternate flights so that in the event your flight is cancelled/delayed you know what your alternatives are?
Aug 25, 2004, 10:42 am
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: Marriott- Platinum, US Airways- Chairmans Preferred
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by liquid
Flying UA this past weekend PHL-IAD-SAN, the first leg of my trip was cancelled and I was rerouted via DEN. My new flight to DEN was delayed so I missed the connector to SAN.
The question being: Before leaving for the airport do you check alternate flights so that in the event your flight is cancelled/delayed you know what your alternatives are?
The question being: Before leaving for the airport do you check alternate flights so that in the event your flight is cancelled/delayed you know what your alternatives are?
Aug 25, 2004, 11:12 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
When I know I might pick up a bump, I make sure to visit SkyGuide and print out the schedules for all possible routings on all carriers. If not, I've got the KLM/NW schedule program installed on my laptop and boot that up to see possibilities.
aloha
aloha
Aug 25, 2004, 11:45 am
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I usually check, but not because of calcellations. If there is an earlier flight, and I'm at the airport early enough, I'll ask "Is there any chance I can get on the 1:30 one instead if there is room?"
Aug 25, 2004, 12:31 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA
Posts: 860
I also print out lists for the return flight for each trip, for the same reason - I book the last flight of the day and standby for an earlier flight if I finish earlier than expected. Thanks to flyertalk, I've also learned to check for availability on alternate flights, so I have a better idea of which ones I can get on.
Aug 25, 2004, 12:43 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: RST
Programs: Delta Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Accor Gold
Posts: 4,839
Mostly fly NWA.
I have their schedule downloaded on my PDA (nice little program they have) and I keep it up-to-date (simply do a synchronization). Works great! Get all the flight options (with aircraft types) I need.
I have their schedule downloaded on my PDA (nice little program they have) and I keep it up-to-date (simply do a synchronization). Works great! Get all the flight options (with aircraft types) I need.
Aug 25, 2004, 11:34 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
Always. There's more to it that cancellations. Maybe you get done early. Or the meeting runs late. Or the weather is bad. Or the traffic to the airport might be bad. Or Or Or. You're nuts if you don't.
Aug 26, 2004, 1:35 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,460
A good reason to get a PDA is for the downloadeable timetables and keeping them updated. If your flight gets cancelled or you are on a flight getting in late you can get yourself booked on an alternate flight the minute your plane touches down and you can turn on your mobile phone to call support. A UA flight I was on landed two hours late and I called UA and had them book me on a different flight immediately. You should have seen the humongous line at the Customer Service counter after arrival.
On my Palm I have American, Air Canada, Alaska, America West, British Continental, Delta, Lufthansa, Northwest, SkyTeam, Star Alliance, United, and US Airways timetables.
On my Palm I have American, Air Canada, Alaska, America West, British Continental, Delta, Lufthansa, Northwest, SkyTeam, Star Alliance, United, and US Airways timetables.
Aug 26, 2004, 7:26 am
#13
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I tend to have a printout of alternate flights if bad weather is expected, or if the flight load is such that I might be able to get bumped. Nice to arrive with suggestions for how you'd like to continue on.
Aug 26, 2004, 8:10 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
Originally Posted by CApreppie
A good reason to get a PDA is for the downloadeable timetables and keeping them updated. If your flight gets cancelled or you are on a flight getting in late you can get yourself booked on an alternate flight the minute your plane touches down and you can turn on your mobile phone to call support. A UA flight I was on landed two hours late and I called UA and had them book me on a different flight immediately. You should have seen the humongous line at the Customer Service counter after arrival.
On my Palm I have American, Air Canada, Alaska, America West, British Continental, Delta, Lufthansa, Northwest, SkyTeam, Star Alliance, United, and US Airways timetables.
On my Palm I have American, Air Canada, Alaska, America West, British Continental, Delta, Lufthansa, Northwest, SkyTeam, Star Alliance, United, and US Airways timetables.