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Post by Nora on Jun 7, 2020 15:34:44 GMT
Aargh, this is so enraging. This is the 4th set of air tickets I purchased in the last 2 or so months to go back to Europe that were cancelled on me by the airlines. And the airline just wrote "due to the current situation". Thats all. And their hold time is now in DAYS. Thats so fucked up the airlines are selling tickets these days, and cancelling it days later, when the situation is getting better and restrictions are going away, especially in Europe.
I tried various airlines, airports and countries, and nothing has worked out so far. I have a lot of money tied with different airlines now, and even though I had insurance, it doesnt matter, one refund is still pending for more than 8 weeks. So my trip in 3 weeks may not happen. I wrote to the consulate to ask what to do, I dont want to just keep buying tickets over and over and be a cashflow cow for various airlines.
Not a great start of my Sunday.
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autumn
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Post by autumn on Jun 7, 2020 18:12:39 GMT
I'm sorry to hear that Nora. I know how much you were looking to fly back. I hope you find a speedy (?) resolution along the way.
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Post by Nora on Jun 7, 2020 21:47:34 GMT
I'm sorry to hear that Nora. I know how much you were looking to fly back. I hope you find a speedy (?) resolution along the way. its looking bleek. My ticket was 805 USD, and included 4 flights. They cancelled one of the flights and offered 5 USD as a refund for that cancelled flight. Can you believe that? 5 dollars. To leave me stranded in a different country across the see where I want to be. I am emailing with them, but its looking bad. Each rep says something else, or its robot answering or template emails that dont solve my actual question. My friend who had tickets to Italy via Portugal got his cancelled few days ago as well, same thing, the first part JFK to Lisboa stays, but then Lisboa to Milan was cancelled. but that leaves you just as stranded if not more than staying here, since most international transportation in Europe is still restricted. I hate the fact the airlines are selling tickets these days for flights they cannot guarantee will happen, in a situation where the cities and countries are already opening so its not like a NEW hotbed happened int he city where I want to go and they Had to cancel out of nowhere. They are using us as banks. And to get the money back you have to wait several months and that is still unsure if you DO get it back, because they can just go bankrupt in the meantime and then you get nothing or a fraction. Aaargh. if I didnt have old and fragile parents there I wouldnt go. But this way I actually am getting concerned about my ability to see them anytime soon. Its going to be 11 months by the time I get there, that is if I get there by August at least. And when you are in your late 70ties thats a LONG time not to see your only daugther. Of course I am now feeling Extremely guilty about not having gone during Xmas time. Never again will I make this mistake and postpone a visit. Will go back to seeing them every 3 months like I did until 2019.
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Post by Nora on Jun 10, 2020 16:23:16 GMT
Aargh, this is so enraging. This is the 4th set of air tickets I purchased in the last 2 or so months to go back to Europe that were cancelled on me by the airlines. And the airline just wrote "due to the current situation". Thats all. And their hold time is now in DAYS. Thats so fucked up the airlines are selling tickets these days, and cancelling it days later, when the situation is getting better and restrictions are going away, especially in Europe.I tried various airlines, airports and countries, and nothing has worked out so far. I have a lot of money tied with different airlines now, and even though I had insurance, it doesnt matter, one refund is still pending for more than 8 weeks. So my trip in 3 weeks may not happen. I wrote to the consulate to ask what to do, I dont want to just keep buying tickets over and over and be a cashflow cow for various airlines.Not a great start of my Sunday. Who is making the decisions for the airlines being allowed to take bookings and then cancelling them a few days later? That is so dodgy. They know what the current situation is in Europe. If any airline are using your money to invest for interest, then I wouldn't fly with them anymore.
You are going from one melting pot into another anywhere nora, from the US into Europe. I think they are using the clients money to recover its cash flow I kid you not. Btw today they sent me a promotional email about how they cant wait for me to explore their country and how they are looking forward to having me on board again. AFTER THEY CANCELLED their flight on me. Incredible.
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Post by politicidal on Jun 10, 2020 16:43:20 GMT
Even during a pandemic, it's amusing they still find ways to act shitty to customers;although I'm sorry about your difficulties with them.
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Post by Jayman on Jun 11, 2020 19:46:35 GMT
Sorry about that Nora
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Post by Nora on Jun 11, 2020 20:03:16 GMT
thanks. i have now spoken to 2 consulates in different countries, and 3 diff airlines, trying to gauge which ones are most likely to not do this shit.
Seems Turkish Airlines and travel through Istanbul might be the best albeit very long option...
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Post by Nora on Jun 12, 2020 3:00:01 GMT
I did consider Iceland and that would have been my prefered way too but they are not flying just yet. I am in contact with my consulate in Istanbul and feel pretty good about my communication with them. Also, I have been to Istanbul before and its a nice place, I wouldnt mind being stuck there for a while if it was not forever yes. But ideally of course I would fly to Amsterdam Vienna or Paris because yes if things go wrong my friends can come pick me up with a car easily.. Will see. Still doing a lot of research.
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Post by poelzig on Jun 12, 2020 3:28:52 GMT
I fly numerous times every year. Both domestically and international. In a slow year I will still fly at least 5 times. Usually out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport one of the busies airports in the world. Yet I NEVER have any issues with luggage or tickets or cancellations or the like. Conversely you start threads several times a year that you then bump repeatedly so that every kind hearted person can console you and hold your hand and offer advice as you frantically wring your hands and spin tales of luggage disappearances and ticket changes and flight cancellations and missing wheelchairs and refusing to let your trained white tiger ride in first class with you etc... Since you have informed us that you are a mensa level genius with countless directing and writing awards as well as being a lawyer and a well known comedic celebrity it's odd that you are unable to take even one plane trip without a litany of problems straight out of a John Hughes movie. I wonder why an admittedly above average guy like myself has zero issues EVER flying while a genius like yourself is unable to get from the parking lot to the terminal without a dozen problems requiring a 10 page thread of advice EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU GO ANYWHERE? It's quite perplexing. Perhaps you treat the airport personnel AND the ticketing personnel AND the baggage handlers very rudely. It must be that since the only other rational explanation is you are just making it all up for some needy reason. Luckily for you I am an expert air traveler and I am here to help you. I VERY much would like to never see you have to start a long drawn out thread about your unending travel problems again. Please send me your travel itinerary or post it here as well as which company or studio or billionaire is wining and dining you this time. I will co ordinate with them to GUARANTEE your travels are problem free for once. Perhaps we can even have dinner if you have a layover in Atlanta which you probably will since every flight anywhere seems to require a layover in Atlanta. I'm sure a seasoned traveler like yourself appreciates that joke. Looking forward to helping so lets get started my dude.
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Post by mslo79 on Jun 12, 2020 22:16:54 GMT
Yeah, too much BS going on right now.
but personally I never been a fan of flying as if I can't drive to where I am going I would probably avoid going as I would not want my personal possessions leaving my site.
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Post by Nora on Jun 12, 2020 22:38:28 GMT
Yeah, too much BS going on right now. but personally I never been a fan of flying as if I can't drive to where I am going I would probably avoid going as I would not want my personal possessions leaving my site. I really dont mind flying at all. I mean its part of my life, both as a hobby and as something I have to do for work. Just in the last 12 months I went on 38 planes, so I am pretty used to just about anything that can happen in connection with flights. There are moments when I am telling myself " ok, enough, I am staying on the ground for a while after this" like when there is a really bad turbulence or once when we had a diverted plane/emergency landing, but those are fleeing thoughts. As far as luggage and my possesions goes, lets put it this way: yes some hiccups happened over the years, but just a few and it all eventually made its way back to me )))). Whatever is too dear to me stays with me in the cabin. Needless to say that before Corona, things were different. I don't think I ever had any airline cancel a flight on me before Corona, and I do understand things are not what they used to be, so I wasnt so upset when they cancelled in March and April. But I was surprised/angered, when they sold me the ticket in late May (fully aware of the pandemic and furthermore when countries are reopening) and cancelled a week later. But its happening all over I am now finding out. its unclear to me why though, other than airlines using customers money to keep their cashflow... Right now Turkish airlines were recommended to me, and they do seem to have one of the most comprehensive guidelines on whats going on with them, so I will probably fly with them and fingers crossed the flight will stay on and I will not be deported mid journey - they do preliminary medical screening on all incoming people, I am, then if you don't pas the test they do a corona test and then if you are positive they deport you. Although its unclear where to. What seems to be clear outcome of all of this though is that the cost of flying will change dramatically. Like for long term. I dont think I will see many USA-EU return tickets for 500 USD anymore...
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Post by Nora on Jun 15, 2020 17:37:26 GMT
So Turkish Airlines seem a no go also, talked to several people who bought tickets these days and their flights got cancelled and without the possibility of refund, only rebook. Plus while they are selling the tickets, they are still not confirmed to land in the airports I need, so it would be quite risky to bet on them.
They also confirmed to me directly that they are booking the whole plane, no empty middle seats or things like that, so yeah, the flight takes 10 hours to Istanbul, no thanks to sit next to someone who may/may not be sick, even with a mask on, they are RIGHT THERE like an inch or two from you so no.
This thing is taking a lot of time spent on research. I might stick with my flight to Dublin, then take my chances via train and boat or other airplane from there. Who knows whats best. It sucks though.
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autumn
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Post by autumn on Jun 15, 2020 18:27:53 GMT
So Turkish Airlines seem a no go also, talked to several people who bought tickets these days and their flights got cancelled and without the possibility of refund, only rebook. Plus while they are selling the tickets, they are still not confirmed to land in the airports I need, so it would be quite risky to bet on them. They also confirmed to me directly that they are booking the whole plane, no empty middle seats or things like that, so yeah, the flight takes 10 hours to Istanbul, no thanks to sit next to someone who may/may not be sick, even with a mask on, they are RIGHT THERE like an inch or two from you so no. This thing is taking a lot of time spent on research. I might stick with my flight to Dublin, then take my chances via train and boat or other airplane from there. Who knows whats best. It sucks though. I thought there were international regulations in place that were agreed upon not to book at 100% capacity? The last thing I read was that airlines weren't supposed to book beyond 50% capacity.
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Post by Nora on Jun 15, 2020 18:30:02 GMT
So Turkish Airlines seem a no go also, talked to several people who bought tickets these days and their flights got cancelled and without the possibility of refund, only rebook. Plus while they are selling the tickets, they are still not confirmed to land in the airports I need, so it would be quite risky to bet on them. They also confirmed to me directly that they are booking the whole plane, no empty middle seats or things like that, so yeah, the flight takes 10 hours to Istanbul, no thanks to sit next to someone who may/may not be sick, even with a mask on, they are RIGHT THERE like an inch or two from you so no. This thing is taking a lot of time spent on research. I might stick with my flight to Dublin, then take my chances via train and boat or other airplane from there. Who knows whats best. It sucks though. I thought there were international regulations in place that were agreed upon not to book at 100% capacity? The last thing I read was that airlines weren't supposed to book beyond 50% capacity. thats what I thought also but nope, thats not true, confirmed to me by various airlines directly as well as people who flew fully booked planes in the last couple of weeks...
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autumn
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Post by autumn on Jun 15, 2020 18:48:53 GMT
I thought there were international regulations in place that were agreed upon not to book at 100% capacity? The last thing I read was that airlines weren't supposed to book beyond 50% capacity. thats what I thought also but nope, thats not true, confirmed to me by various airlines directly as well as people who flew fully booked planes in the last couple of weeks... What surprises me is HOW these planes are even getting filled that much. That means that many people are willing to be packed like sardines in stale air in a confined cabin. That's frightening because it means it's going to lead to even more COVID cases spreading.
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Post by Nora on Jun 15, 2020 20:20:11 GMT
thats what I thought also but nope, thats not true, confirmed to me by various airlines directly as well as people who flew fully booked planes in the last couple of weeks... What surprises me is HOW these planes are even getting filled that much. That means that many people are willing to be packed like sardines in stale air in a confined cabin. That's frightening because it means it's going to lead to even more COVID cases spreading.yes, second wave coming for sure. It is frustrating, but what are we to do? I can understand there are many people in similar situation like I am, who have not been reunited with their families or seen them in a long time, plus there are surely some business meetings that simply require face to face meeting and with 2 months (or more) of no flights it simply accumulated. Plus a lot of medical personal is still flying around to help impacted areas or return from there. And what are they going to do once they get on the plane and see it fully booked? United apparently started telling people when the flight is fully booked so they could rebook but they only tell them when you are at the airport or like a few hours before your flight, I mean by then, what are you going to do, cancel all plans and rebook? And the outrageousness that the airlines charge double to triple what the tickets used to cost AND will book the flight full anyway, thats really something. Its like a no win scenario any way you look at it. I AM thinking of postponing by a month or two, but the second wave is expected to come in fall, and I would be risking not being able to fly at all then, or get back, so in the end I think its better to fly now in July and get back in August and be ready to stay put for another 3-5 months if needed. but these are not easy decisions to make I have to say. I certainly dont understand people who will no fly simply for vacation. To me that wouldnt be worth it.
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autumn
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Post by autumn on Jun 15, 2020 20:40:38 GMT
What surprises me is HOW these planes are even getting filled that much. That means that many people are willing to be packed like sardines in stale air in a confined cabin. That's frightening because it means it's going to lead to even more COVID cases spreading.yes, second wave coming for sure. It is frustrating, but what are we to do? I can understand there are many people in similar situation like I am, who have not been reunited with their families or seen them in a long time, plus there are surely some business meetings that simply require face to face meeting and with 2 months (or more) of no flights it simply accumulated. Plus a lot of medical personal is still flying around to help impacted areas or return from there. And what are they going to do once they get on the plane and see it fully booked? United apparently started telling people when the flight is fully booked so they could rebook but they only tell them when you are at the airport or like a few hours before your flight, I mean by then, what are you going to do, cancel all plans and rebook? And the outrageousness that the airlines charge double to triple what the tickets used to cost AND will book the flight full anyway, thats really something. Its like a no win scenario any way you look at it. I AM thinking of postponing by a month or two, but the second wave is expected to come in fall, and I would be risking not being able to fly at all then, or get back, so in the end I think its better to fly now in July and get back in August and be ready to stay put for another 3-5 months if needed. but these are not easy decisions to make I have to say. I certainly dont understand people who will no fly simply for vacation. To me that wouldnt be worth it. I have a family member getting married, and I'm not going to their wedding. I have family in other countries, and I've asked them not to visit and told them I won't visit them. I have friends in other countries and told them not to visit and that I won't visit them. I wouldn't even go out of state. I also, (and it's just me, personally, mind you) would only fly if I worked in the medical field and was flying to provide medical care to people who need my help and service. I also don't have your history of flying as much as you do. I used to fly a lot for work, but that was years ago, so I haven't been in the loop for a while. It's just such a high-risk activity right now, and emotionally-driven decisions may lead to health problems down the line, and I think that's where my focus is.
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Post by Nora on Jun 15, 2020 22:28:04 GMT
yes, second wave coming for sure. …. but these are not easy decisions to make I have to say. I certainly dont understand people who will no fly simply for vacation. To me that wouldnt be worth it. I have a family member getting married, and I'm not going to their wedding. I have family in other countries, and I've asked them not to visit and told them I won't visit them. I have friends in other countries and told them not to visit and that I won't visit them. I wouldn't even go out of state. I also, (and it's just me, personally, mind you) would only fly if I worked in the medical field and was flying to provide medical care to people who need my help and service. I also don't have your history of flying as much as you do. I used to fly a lot for work, but that was years ago, so I haven't been in the loop for a while. It's just such a high-risk activity right now, and emotionally-driven decisions may lead to health problems down the line, and I think that's where my focus is. I am not stressed about myself as much so to me the fact I am flying will not bring any extra stress, and I will only get on the plane with a negative Covid test I will obtain 48 hours before I get on the flight, so as far as I go I think act as responsibly as I can in my situation. But who knows how others see it of course. For me, coincidentally not having seen my parents for 10 months now and them being in their seventies and not in a good health and not having another child or family member around them - it is incremental that I see them soon. Once I get there, of course I will l go for another Covid test before I see them face to face. And I would be fine postponing by a month or so, but I do worry that the second wave will bring new closures and then I would have to wait till winter or worse, next year to fly there and thats simply not a possibility for me. plus I have my medical appointments there so thats that too. I understand why some people fly these days. I dont understand why airlines cannot be more transparent.
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autumn
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Post by autumn on Jun 15, 2020 23:18:15 GMT
I have a family member getting married, and I'm not going to their wedding. I have family in other countries, and I've asked them not to visit and told them I won't visit them. I have friends in other countries and told them not to visit and that I won't visit them. I wouldn't even go out of state. I also, (and it's just me, personally, mind you) would only fly if I worked in the medical field and was flying to provide medical care to people who need my help and service. I also don't have your history of flying as much as you do. I used to fly a lot for work, but that was years ago, so I haven't been in the loop for a while. It's just such a high-risk activity right now, and emotionally-driven decisions may lead to health problems down the line, and I think that's where my focus is. plus I have my medical appointments there so thats that too. I understand why some people fly these days. I dont understand why airlines cannot be more transparent. I hate to sound like a Debbie Downer, but I think they're not transparent because they're "big business" and are trying to recoup their losses from not being able to fly for a few months, and they're playing dirty pool. It's an underhanded technique, but the way they see it, they're making offers in order to fill the coffers that have been empty, making promises and in order to avoiding losing the money they're finally getting back, they're only offering the option to rebook, and not offering refunds. It comes down to a business tactic and caring more about paying the CEOs than caring about peoples' health.
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