Help quick - Flight cancelled question (1 Viewer)

[Beef Ravioli]

So my 19 year old sons flight got cancelled after being delayed for almost 2 hours. He's waiting to see what his flight will be later today. He's on Southwest and I was curious, is this a situation where he could get a voucher for a future free flight? The flight was cancelled as Southwest could not get a flight crew.

 

[Tick]

Airlines train people to be #######s.  If he's a big enough #######, he'll get free stuff.

 

[Frostillicus]

Airlines train people to be #######s.  If he's a big enough #######, he'll get free stuff.

##### loud enough and sure. Or just realize #### happens and deal with life without trying to get something for free 

 

[Tick]

##### loud enough and sure. Or just realize #### happens and deal with life without trying to get something for free 

Yeah, I've never bothered with it.  I vividly remember back in the paper ticket days when the outbound flight accidentally pulled my return ticket.  When it was time for the return flight, they said my dad had to buy a new ticket for me.  I remember him pounding his fist on the table, then my mom saying, "Fine, you take him", setting me on the counter, and walking away.  I cried (for real) right on cue, and they didn't charge my parents for the ticket.

Maybe I'm a sucker, but I won't do that.  It's a different world now anyway - people seem less poopy when things go wrong during travel than they were 20 years ago.

 

[Beef Ravioli]

Thanks guys! Looks like he can't get out of Nashville till tomorrow at 9pm, at least on southwest. I might have a ride for him? 

 

[Judge Smails]

Have him get used to it. Happens all the time. Can't sweat it

 

[Beef Ravioli]

Well, he's hitching a ride tomorrow with a friend of a friend who happened to be booked on the same flight.

Southwest refunded and gave him some travel vouchers and he didn't even complain or cry or whine, they just gave it to him. Good job Southwest! 

 

[RokNRole]

SUE! SUE! SUE!

 

[PlayaHata]

We've gotten travel vouchers numerous times over the years for big delays or cancelled flights, usually in the $250-$500 range per ticket depending on the circumstances.  Traveling with a family of 4 and getting (4) $500 vouchers towards a future flight is most certainly worth a 10-15 minute call to the airline's customer service, or doing it in person at the airline's customer service desk at the airport!  We also volunteer to be rebooked on later flights as long as our schedule can accommodate.  The key is to just be nice, and we always say something like "Is that the best you can do?"  Honestly, just being nice is typically all it takes.  

 

[Mr.Pack]

Passengers rights

 

[Chemical X]

Cancellations Within Airline Control

If, for any reason, a passenger’s Southwest flight does not operate as scheduled, Southwest Airlines will, at the passenger’s request, refund the unused portion of the passenger’s fare or will assist him or her by arranging transport to the passenger’s destination on another Southwest flight with available seats. If the passenger elects to take an alternate Southwest flight, he or she will not be charged any more money even if the ticket for the disrupted flight has usage limits or fare restrictions.

If circumstances within the airline's control cause a passenger to miss the last possible flight or connection of the day to his or her destination, Southwest's customer-service agents have the authority to arrange for overnight lodging for that passenger and will find the passenger a hotel or motel as near to the airport as possible, at no additional cost. Customer Service may also arrange for ground transportation to the overnight facility.

Cancellations Beyond Airline Control

If the cause of the passenger’s inconvenience is not within Southwest's means of control, staff will do their best to assist passengers by securing a discounted rate at a hotel or motel at or near the airport. The passenger’s Southwest ticket may be refunded, but Southwest will not pay for tickets on other airlines or absorb the difference between Southwest fares and higher fares on other airlines.

 

[abbottjamesr]

Recently had a similar situation on SW.  Flight got cancelled as the equipment broke.  Was delayed about 10 hours.  They provided $300 voucher per seat with out me asking.

James

 

[Beef Ravioli]

The cancellation was not weather related, it was because they could not find a flight crew that had enough hours. I kind of looked at it as their fault but I don't fly much so I didn't know what the standard was. 

I thought it was pretty stand up of Southwest. He walked up to the counter and they basically said we can get you on a flight the next night or reimburse you. He took the reimbursement and then a $300 voucher for future use. 

 

[sbonomo]

The cancellation was not weather related, it was because they could not find a flight crew that had enough hours. I kind of looked at it as their fault but I don't fly much so I didn't know what the standard was. 

I thought it was pretty stand up of Southwest. He walked up to the counter and they basically said we can get you on a flight the next night or reimburse you. He took the reimbursement and then a $300 voucher for future use. 

I have been on the a-list for at least 10-years now.  Whether they have to or not, SW has always done the right thing without even being asked.  My colleagues make fun of me because i take SW everywhere but guess what, they get you there on time (for the most part) and treat you like a person when things don't go correctly.  Good luck with AA, United, Delta, etc.  Glad to see he had a good experience.  At the end of the day, chit happens.  Giving him the voucher i am sure will give him a positive experience when it is all said and done.   

 

[-OZ-]

Happened to us today too. I'm about to board 2 hours later from Charlotte. 

My buddy had his flight to Philly cancelled. 

I hate flying. But the USO makes it bearable.

 

[gianmarco]

SWA customer service is almost impossible to beat in any industry. 

 

[The Z Machine]

Southwest really does have the best service in the industry. It comes down to their people, how the recruit them, how they train them, and how they've set up their culture. Their employees simply seem to enjoy their jobs more than other airlines. 

 

[Apple Jack]

Isn't Nashville a SW hub? Why can't they get him out until 9pm? That's strange.

 

[Otis]

Lottery. Big settlement coming your way. 

 

[Beef Ravioli]

Isn't Nashville a SW hub? Why can't they get him out until 9pm? That's strange.

I don't know if it's a hub or not? They fly to Columbus 4x's a day it seems but apparently all the earlier flights were full? They offered to fly him to Cleveland but that didn't help us. Like I updated a few comments up, we took the refund and some vouchers for future flights. He hitched a ride home with a friend of a friend. He got home at 7 versus midnight.