Two days ago I bought a $1500 airline ticket through Swiss Air as a gift for my mother. This was roundtrip, from US to Switzerland and back. Things just didn't work out, and now she can't go. I called today and talked to a customer service rep and a supervisor, who informed me that I can get a whopping $12 refund. Is my only option to just keep a $1500 piece of paper? Ideally I would like a refund. I realize that the "non-refundable" part presents a problem. Side note: they should probably put that somewhere on the confirmation email or website. If not, can I sell the ticket? Give it away? Do anything besides use this as a $1500 life lesson? I'm not really interested in giving them another $250 to book with them in the next year.
posted by andariel
on May 6, 2013 -
17 answers
I have a companion fare for US Airways. In order to use it, I have to buy a ticket by April 30 and travel by July 31. Where should I go?
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posted by jeffmshaw
on Apr 12, 2013 -
9 answers
How early should two people who will not check baggage arrive at JFK airport for an 8:00 AM flight to Barbados (BGI)?
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posted by neushoorn
on Apr 1, 2013 -
11 answers
I have always checked baggage when flying due to a large suitcase. And there is something so liberating about just dumping the bag during check-in, and then jaunting through the terminal sans baggage. Tomorrow, I am going for a short trip and could pack everything into a regulation-size wheeled suitcase and thus do carry on. Both planes (+ 1 connection), are full to capacity. Is it worth the hassle of trying to find overhead? Schlepping it through two airports? Compared to the potential of losing my bag for the duration of my trip, which recently happened? What do you do? Strategies?
posted by nanook
on Mar 18, 2013 -
34 answers
I am travelling to China from Canada in the near future. I have hundreds of questions and concerns but mostly just need reassurance that I'm not forgetting anything. Bonus, what should I do for carry-on?
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posted by sarae
on Mar 13, 2013 -
19 answers
When flying, I use a plastic accordion-style file portfolio to keep a number of things (listed inside) easily accessible in the seat back pocket (or other pocket in a bulkhead row). This makes taking these things out of my carry-on much easier and makes it less likely that I will forget something in the seat back pocket when I leave. It works well for document-shaped things, although the smaller more irregularly shaped things end up getting mixed up together. Is there a better solution? Or even a particular accordion-style organizer you would recommend? I am looking to get a new one.
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posted by grouse
on Feb 16, 2013 -
12 answers
My sibling, mother, and I want to go to Japan (Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Kyoto) in late July. I am getting overwhelmed by trying to book tickets. Help!
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posted by Bebo
on Feb 6, 2013 -
21 answers
Does FinnAir (in your recent experience) enforce its 8kg/18lb weight limit for carry-on bags in economy class?
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posted by kalapierson
on Feb 6, 2013 -
5 answers
I was just going over our flight info-my husband and I and our two adult daughters are flying out to Texas to my son's wedding. I just noticed that our travel agent used my younger daughter's maiden name instead of her married name (she is separated but not divorced.) The travel agent is calling me back in a bit but how screwed are we?
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posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies
on Jan 8, 2013 -
30 answers
Recently I went on a trip with my kid sister and each time, the pilots were men and the flight attendants were women and even while we were waiting to board, we watched the pilots and flight attendants for other airlines walk to their gates and it was always the same and she was curious and disgruntled about this, so I thought I would ask the hive mind. Are there institutional/systemic/socioeconomic reasons why the pilot/flight attendant makeup isn't proportionate to the population they serve?
posted by Sully
on Dec 15, 2012 -
12 answers
Is there a good source of airline livery/logo history anywhere on the internet?
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posted by wander
on Dec 3, 2012 -
4 answers
Last minute trip: do airlines offer last-minute "leaves today" flights at rock-bottom rates to fill empty seats?
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posted by jsturgill
on Nov 15, 2012 -
13 answers
Emergency! Does anyone know of an airline (or other option) that allows pets to fly as cargo without a certificate of health from the vet? I know there are one or two.
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posted by LLF246
on Nov 2, 2012 -
30 answers
Is there any recourse when an airline moves your flight earlier and earlier, eventually adding a new flight at the original time that costs much more?
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posted by Mapes
on Nov 1, 2012 -
7 answers
is it possible to book a cheap flight the same day you want to leave
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posted by lulz
on Oct 11, 2012 -
15 answers
How likely is it that Delta Airlines will accept my slightly-oversize backpack as carry-on?
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posted by Hither
on Sep 20, 2012 -
15 answers
Based on your personal experience, what is the best American airline to fly with (in terms of quality of service, comfort, customer service, etc.)?
posted by Tenacious.Me.Tokyo
on Jul 29, 2012 -
20 answers
I just got a text alert from the airline that my 8:40pm flight (it's 3:30pm now) has been delayed until 10:20pm. Should I go to the airport in time for the 8:40 departure, or can I get there an hour and a half later?
posted by bluefly
on Jul 19, 2012 -
15 answers
The size limit on checked luggage is 62 inches (height+width+depth) for most airlines . Do I need to be concerned about being close to that, assuming the weight is okay and it is not overstuffed?
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posted by Morrigan
on Jul 14, 2012 -
11 answers
I was pleasantly surprised today to find out that some flights I had booked a month ago for my family to travel later this year had come down dramatically in price, so even with the change fee of $150 a head, the savings was quite large and I got a better flight to boot.
How often does this happen, and should a person routinely screen for lowered fares even after purchasing a ticket?
posted by dougiedd
on May 29, 2012 -
5 answers
First time air travel with an 11 month old. Need all the advice I can get from experienced parents!
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posted by AdamOddo
on May 2, 2012 -
25 answers
I need to move my cat with me from Toronto to North Carolina. It's very complicated. What is the LEAST traumatic way to get my kitty to our new home safe and sound? BONUS: Requisite animal pics inside!
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posted by Dorinda
on Apr 8, 2012 -
11 answers
Help me, I am an idiot. I long ago booked an overnight trip from Seattle to Sacramento on Alaska Airlines through Expedia. I thought it was for tomorrow and Wednesday, apparently it was for today and tomorrow...
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posted by genmonster
on Nov 14, 2011 -
12 answers
Which of these two (complicated) flight options will
A) give me the biggest baggage allowance, and
B) cost the least for excess bags?
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posted by hasna
on Sep 20, 2011 -
4 answers
Planning a trip from DCA to ONT via IAH in December, projected carrier is United.
Projected time to change planes in Houston is 35 minutes. Is it doable or are we asking for trouble? (We're fully mobile and don't mind rushing but we've no experience with Houston.)
There's no history (that I can find) of the flights that are offered using United.
posted by Man with Lantern
on Sep 9, 2011 -
12 answers
I'm looking for a certain book written in the sixties or seventies about the sociological aspect of the training of airline hostesses/stewardesses. Don't remember if it was entirely about this topic, or just a notable part of it. Some part of it may have been about how stewardesses had to curb the outward expression of their personalities to match stringent requirements of communication with passengers that rendered them almost carbon copies of one another. It was somewhat famous. Suggestions?
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posted by jackfruit
on Sep 6, 2011 -
3 answers
Do very young children (she's 20 months) need--as in absolutely required, not simply 'discretionary,' 'recommended,' or 'helpful'--any sort of identification in order to board a domestic U.S. flight and fly in a parent's lap?
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posted by resurrexit
on Aug 31, 2011 -
14 answers
I'd like to check a bicycle as luggage with Southwest. Could anyone advise me how to find a suitable box and then pack the bicycle in compactly enough?
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posted by d. z. wang
on Jun 10, 2011 -
12 answers
Did US airfares just skyrocket in the past couple of days for some reason? Details follow...
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posted by crapmatic
on Jun 9, 2011 -
14 answers
How can I use my Discover Card (indirectly) to make online purchases on websites that don't accept Discover Card?
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posted by texano
on May 1, 2011 -
10 answers
Flying to San Francisco to Berlin, returning to SF from Milan in the summer. When, where, and how should I go about buying plane tickets?
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posted by myntu
on Apr 8, 2011 -
5 answers
Do airplane ticket sites (Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, etc.) increase prices between successive browsing sessions, as well as manipulate prices so that they are in agreement with each other?
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posted by Blazecock Pileon
on Feb 21, 2011 -
19 answers
I need to get from LA to OBX in May .... with my ~100 lb German Shepherd. Hive, give me your wisdom!
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posted by milqman
on Feb 19, 2011 -
7 answers
I feel I just got screwed out of about $500 by an airline. Of course they don't see it that way. What resources do I have to get this money back? If not, what else can I do?
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posted by boghead
on Jan 24, 2011 -
12 answers
What did you write to get your interim purchases reimbursed from the airline that delayed your bag for several days away from home? And how long did you wait and what was the response?
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posted by talljamal
on Jan 10, 2011 -
7 answers
Airline "no show" cancellation filter: my friend and his family missed a flight last night from Montreal to London. The airline, British Airways, have told them that not only have they forfeited those tickets as a result, but also all the tickets on their numerous connecting flights. Is there anything they can do to salvage their tickets?
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posted by HopStopDon'tShop
on Jan 7, 2011 -
19 answers
The Great Blizzard of Christmas 2010 has severely derailed my plans (love snow as I do). I was supposed to fly from Newark to Hong Kong on Dec. 26th at 3:30, arrive in HK at 8:30pm Dec 27th, then fly Air Asia Hong Kong-Bangkok on the morning of Dec. 28th with a connecting flight immediately following from Bangkok - Luang Prabang, Laos.
Newark is supposed to get a foot plus of snow tomorrow. I am feeling a little screwed. Is anyone out there skilled at making the best of this kind of situation? I've never dealt with it before, and have spent the last eight hours trying to make something work. Details below.
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posted by betsbillabong
on Dec 26, 2010 -
9 answers
I've just accepted a desk job with a large airline. What are some good ideas to boost my income using my free travel benefits?
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posted by hussmanne
on Oct 20, 2010 -
13 answers
