Flight Cancellation Rebooking Help Action Items

My flight on Monday was cancelled because the flight crew never arrived. I was sitting at the gate looking at the aircraft and watching the estimated departure time increment 10 minutes every ten minutes.  The gate agent did not share where the crew was coming from, just that they could arrive any minute and not to leave the gate area.  After three hours of this, the flight was cancelled.  What should you do in this situation?

Not Moving Today

1. Find alternate options while waiting. Pull up the airline website and see what else can get you to your destination. Help your cause by finding other ways to your destination.  This will help when you talk to an agent about alternatives.  Keep it all on the original carrier.  Since airline deregulation in the 70's, US carriers are not obligated to put you on an open seat with another airline.
2. Call your airline while you are waiting to see if they can switch you to another flight.  Once your flight is delayed, they should drop change fees.  If you don't like the first answer you hear, hang up and try again.
3. Airline club staff can assist in rebooking if you have a membership or a day pass.  The lines are shorter, so you will wait less and have a longer conversation about alternatives than at the general customer service counter. 
4. Once the flight is cancelled, call the airline and move quickly to the customer service counter or airline club.  You are likely to talk to a phone agent before an airport agent and they can get you started on rebooking.  If they offer an option you don't like, propose a better option from the list of alternatives you made.  Not all alternatives may be available, but some agents look a basic A to B options while A to C to B may be preferable.
5. If you are spending the night and it it the airline's fault (crew, maintenance, almost anything else besides weather) ask an airport agent for a hotel voucher and food vouchers (has to be done at the airport).  Also if you checked a bag, ask if it will be held by the airline or returned; don't assume one or the other.  

Plan B

The earlier it is, the easier same day rebooking will be because there are more options and fewer displaced travelers.  A few other extreme options if you desperately need to leave:

• Book a flight on Southwest as a back up.  You can cancel without penalty before departure.  It will probably cost more, but you will have a seat.  If your flight is cancelled, the original airline will refund your ticket (that half of the round trip most likely) without a change fee.
• Book a refundable ticket on another carrier.  This will cost much more than Southwest, but it guarantees a seat out that day.

Denver Airport Construction Mess

The Denver airport improvement project is 36% over budget and not even close to being completed. The Denver Post has a fascinating story on the boondoggle with details of poor planning, nervous bond ratings agencies, and no concern for value or customer experience. Another interesting item is the airport is planning a seventh (hardly necessary) runway at a cost of $400,000,000.

Airport Construction on March 3, 2014

Australia, Credit Cards, & Frequent Flyer Miles

Americans have it pretty good in the miles game, even with recent devaluations.  There is ample competition and a myriad of ways to earn miles.  The best bang for the buck is through credit card sign up bonuses.  Many miles cards give generous bonuses for a little spending in the first three months; some even waive the annual fee for the first year.  Canadians have it rough; I looked up options for a friend and cards came with low sign up bonuses and high fees.  It wasn't really worth while because a basic cash back card would deliver better value.  

The Wait For An Award Can Seem Interminable

Australians have it even worse because many merchants charge a fee on credit card transactions, so each swipe is a losing proposition unless the card earns stellar rewards.  Add that to long distances and limited competition and the points game is not the best value proposition.  CreditCardCompare.com.au put together an interesting info-graphic on the costs of business class flights out of Australia.  Round trip to London costs between 102,000 miles and 281,608   That is a ridiculous spread and understanding the cheapest way to reach an award goal, say round trip in business class, can greatly decrease the costs of the award.  The research did not look at award availability, partner possibilities, or difference in business class quality.  It is important though to do some research before earning miles to optimize award possibilities and value for miles.

FAA Aircraft Registration Look Up

Ever wonder how old an aircraft is?  The FAA will let you look it up on line; I saved the link to my iPhone favorites. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/nnum_inquiry.aspx

Boeing 737-3TO, Manufactured in 1985

Delta Changes To Southwest Miles Earning Model

Delta will change the way passengers earn miles to a model based on ticket price rather than distance flown. I don't think this is a big deal for a few reasons.  Southwest already has an earning (and spending) model based on ticket prices and it seems to be going well. Also Delta hasn't announced how partner flights will earn miles. Further ground based partner earning is not impacted and miles still do not expire.  Delta also will add one way awards and a few other carrots to smooth the transition.

Fly Delta Jets

The scary aspect is that the award chart will change, but Delta doesn't know how. "[Award charts] will be available later in 2014." To save some anxiety, credit Delta flights to a partner; I prefer Alaska (same for my American flights) because they have great partnerships, a stable award chart, and care about the customer experience.  Spending miles will also protect against likely award chart inflation, but there is no rush until the new award chart is published and confirms devaluation fears.

Building A Better Frequent Flyer Program Too?

I hope Delta adopts a Southwest award chart too.  On Southwest every flight can be booked if seats are available.  70 miles per dollar of fare (Wanna Get Away rate) and you are free to move about the country.  It's a simple system and an easy way to know what your balance is worth.  This model removes any award chart deals, but it also eliminates award restrictions; I am happy to make that trade.  N.B. - I earn my Southwest and Delta miles primarily though ground based partners like credits cards and online shopping.

New United Express CRJ 700 Seats

United Express (SkyWest) has new seats on their CRJ-700 aircraft and they look great, but are terribly uncomfortable.   The seat design is visually outstanding and provides a new and modern feel to an otherwise dreary and cramped cabin.  Unfortunately I was able to experience the seats for a 3.5 hour flight from ATL to DEN and they became incredibly hard very quickly.  Regional jets like the CRJ series are best for short flights (less than two hours) because their cramped cabin and lack of in flight amenities.  The new seats wouldn't be bad on a short flight, but are unbearable for four hours.  United needs to keep their focus on customer experience rather than unending cost cutting.

Economy Seats - Window Seat At Full Recline

First Class Seat 1A

High Winds In Denver

Winds greater the 45 mph have been reported in Denver all this week, so I'm happy to be grounded at the moment.  A windy landing or take off (especially heading west over the mountains) is never fun.  Enjoy a picture of better weather.

Speedbird 747 & United CRJ