"Flight schedule change" - an extra 6.5 hours in LAX!

[Warks]

We're flying on VA1 to LAX in June. A few months after booking we were advised of the schedule change.
Originally we departed SYD at 1340 and arrives LAX 1025 (same day). We were heading on to Vancouver (YVR) the same day so I had us booked on AS 703 departing LAX at 1415 arriving YVR 1715 thinking four hours in LAX was plenty (have done these flights last October).

In January VA notified us the flight schedule had changed. New departure time is 0950 with arrival in LAX 0630. So we got an extra four hours in LAX. I thought "no big deal" and that was that.

Today I got notification from Alaska that there'd been a schedule change and we were now on AS701 departing YVR at 2045! Arriving YVR 2343! Another 6.5 hours later with no explanation. Looking at the schedule it seems they've simply cancelled this flight. Thanks to these two changes we've gone from four hours to 14 hours! The AS fare is non-refundable but surely there must be a way I can plead a case for getting us on an earlier flight. Seems to be no other direct flights though but any combo of flights should be take less than 10 hours.

We are being picked up in YVR too (relatives) so this is a real pain. They're going to love being out there after midnight.

 

[RooFlyer]

I would have thought that with a change like that on AS, you should be able to get, without penalty, an earlier flight to YVR. There are a number through the day, mostly via SEA which isn't out of the way and not a bad port to transit. It'll be a small plane SEA-YVR though, so watch carry-on coming off your international flight.

I'd call (hopefully using Skype) and not plead, but simply request the change, pointing out their schedule change and cancellation of their flight, if you can show that). I've always found AS agents quite user friendly.

 

[serfty]

Maybe request some assistance on the Flyer Talk Alaska forum ...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

We're flying on VA1 to LAX in June. A few months after booking we were advised of the schedule change. Originally we departed SYD at 1340 and arrives LAX 1025 (same day). We were heading on to Vancouver (YVR) the same day so I had us booked on AS 703 departing LAX at 1415 arriving YVR 1715 thinking four hours in LAX was plenty (have done these flights last October).

In January VA notified us the flight schedule had changed. New departure time is 0950 with arrival in LAX 0630. So we got an extra four hours in LAX. I thought "no big deal" and that was that.

Today I got notification from Alaska that there'd been a schedule change and we were now on AS701 departing YVR at 2045! Arriving YVR 2343! Another 6.5 hours later with no explanation. Looking at the schedule it seems they've simply cancelled this flight. Thanks to these two changes we've gone from four hours to 14 hours! The AS fare is non-refundable but surely there must be a way I can plead a case for getting us on an earlier flight. Seems to be no other direct flights though but any combo of flights should be take less than 10 hours.

We are being picked up in YVR too (relatives) so this is a real pain. They're going to love being out there after midnight.

My parents flew on AS SEA/LAX in whY connecting to VA LAX/SYD in J last October. They'd given themselves sufficient time in LAX but then started getting nevous & wanted to depart SEA earlier. I'd booked the SEA/LAX sector for them on the AS website & I'm thinking "here we go it'll be at least a USD$150.00 change fee" however I was pleasantly surprised that the earlier flight was cheaper so AS actually gave them a credit via email for the difference!

I'd be very surprised if you weren't able to change your flights for very little damage considering the flight is a couple of months away.

Note that VA in SYD will not be able to check your bags through to SEA on AS so you will need to pay for your bags LAX/SEA however if you are returning same day SEA AS LAX VA SYD, AS will through check your bags to VA as long as the connection is within 12 hours and honour the VA baggage allowance. Mum and Dad had no issues with this homeward bound.

 

[N860CR]

I find the US airlines very accommodating when it comes to schedule changes.

I had a change on a complex routing ORD-xx_-YYY-MSY (can't remember the stops) due to it being half the price of the direct. They changed the arrival time by an hour and when I called didn't even hesitate to move me onto the direct flight. Saved nearly a grand between us all.

 

[serfty]

In doing some research, it seems Alaska airlines don't have 'change fees', only fare difference.

May you could search for a more convenient flight time, call and ask to be changed to that?

 

[Warks]

Thanks for the replies. I will contact AS this week. With VA arriving so much earlier it's a good chance to grab an earlier flight to YVR even if we have to go via SEA (have done that before, also via SFO and SEA before).

We're heading on to NYC from YVR so won't be using AS again on this trip. We'd get access to the (limited) AS lounge in LAX though through my QP membership.

 

[Warks]

All solved quite easily at no cost. Rang their number just then and received excellent help. It always helps when you know how to give them the information they need without the convoluted story (I'm thinking of how my mother does this sort of thing!) and you know the options. We were put on a flight via SEA which gets us into YVR about an hour earlier than our original flight. I'm guessing they automatically shunted us to the late night flight because it was the only direct flight. Sounds like a computer making decisions.

So all good. Thanks for the assistance. The phone does work sometimes. Dealing with companies like Optus and some others puts me off using the simplest method of communication.

 

[onlycopunk]

They will not charge you anything to change your flight. Trust me.

Once they alter the flight it's up to them to accommodate you. Maybe take a night LA, change the flights to the next morning?

I once had an Alaska flight change by 30 minutes on me. I let it slide at the time, then decided the day before flying I wanted a later flight, I rang and they changed it no questions asked, even over 30 minutes.

The airline will do whatever they can to get you on another flight, even with a fare difference. The only thing they won't do is refund you the fare.

Hence whenever I fly in the States, I always book my domestic as early as possible as most of the time the flights change which gives me an edge for free changes if my plans change. It also locks in low fares. It's a sneaky way of getting flexible tickets.

 

[Warks]

No it's done and dusted. I was not going to accept paying extra to change flights when they'd cancelled on me anyway but of course they didn't even bring up the subject as you say.

Glad we didn't have to spend any longer than necessary there.