DOT rules vs Virgin Rules
May 2, 2014 | 12:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NY
Programs: SPG preferred, AA, United
Posts: 290
DOT rules vs Virgin Rules
Hey guys,
I'm not too familiar on DOT rules so any clarification would be appreciated.
My gf was supposed to fly from JFK-SFO at 6:55 pm last night (award flight). Due to some mechanical issue they pushed their flight back till about 9pm. At that point they said that there is another flight coming in from SFO at 10:30 pm that would take them. Then they were told that that plane was delayed an hour due to mechanical issues.
My gf asked to the GA(She said she spoke to someone so I'm assuming a GA) and they said if they can't cancel the flight unless you have been delayed 5 hours. So she called VA and after some light pushing they canceled the ticket and waived the fee($100). I picked her up at 10:45 pm (JFK is a mess
) and she said people were still trying to figure out what to do and change their flight.
So my question is what are DOT's rules concerning this? VA waived the fee after some pushing but I thought they are supposed to compensate after 2 hours of delays? I also never heard of the 5 hour rule but I don't fly as often as a lot of you. Is there anything else that I can get from them, like a voucher or something of that sort?
Sorry for the long post. Any help would be appreciated.
I'm not too familiar on DOT rules so any clarification would be appreciated.
My gf was supposed to fly from JFK-SFO at 6:55 pm last night (award flight). Due to some mechanical issue they pushed their flight back till about 9pm. At that point they said that there is another flight coming in from SFO at 10:30 pm that would take them. Then they were told that that plane was delayed an hour due to mechanical issues.
My gf asked to the GA(She said she spoke to someone so I'm assuming a GA) and they said if they can't cancel the flight unless you have been delayed 5 hours. So she called VA and after some light pushing they canceled the ticket and waived the fee($100). I picked her up at 10:45 pm (JFK is a mess
) and she said people were still trying to figure out what to do and change their flight. So my question is what are DOT's rules concerning this? VA waived the fee after some pushing but I thought they are supposed to compensate after 2 hours of delays? I also never heard of the 5 hour rule but I don't fly as often as a lot of you. Is there anything else that I can get from them, like a voucher or something of that sort?
Sorry for the long post. Any help would be appreciated.
May 2, 2014 | 3:47 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 1,509
As far as I know, I don't think there is any DOT rules on flights that are delayed, just cancelled.
Five hours may be the VX policy, or it could be some arbitrary number that the gate agent thought was correct.
Did the flight end up leaving?
Five hours may be the VX policy, or it could be some arbitrary number that the gate agent thought was correct.
Did the flight end up leaving?
May 3, 2014 | 11:02 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NY
Programs: SPG preferred, AA, United
Posts: 290
They cancelled the original flight and they were going to put them on the incoming San Fran flight. I'm not sure about the flight coming in from San Fran as it was delayed about an hour(reaching JFK at 10:30 pm) and we had left JFK by 10:15 pm. That flight was supposed to come in by 11:30 pm but not sure if it actually made it or not.
May 3, 2014 | 11:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 1,509
When you say cancelled the flight, did they really cancel it? Or did they just switch it to operate on a new airplane? If it operated under the same flight number it wasn't cancelled.
But either way it sounds like they were not obligated to refund, but they did anyway (after a little arm twisting).
But either way it sounds like they were not obligated to refund, but they did anyway (after a little arm twisting).