Dear Aircomplane.com Readers:
Just when we thought we’d heard it all, Jeff Fowler of Decision Software found a new way for airlines to make our lives unnecessarily complicated — and potentially expensive. We may have an award-winner here. Thanks, Jeff. Your Spite Attendant Crew will e-mail you shortly with some suggestions.
Dear Aircomplane.com:
My company booked a flight for a sales consultant to meet with us and discuss a large opportunity. Because (a) the meeting seemed fairly solid, (b) it was not billable, and (c) full fare tickets were $600 (vs. $138), we decided to purchase nonrefundable tickets from Continental. Sadly, the consultant cancelled (OK, I’m a sucker) and our fun began.
I was shocked to learn that even though my company purchased this ticket, the consultant can apply the fare towards another trip anytime within a year without our consent. Worse, unless we specifically remember to call to tell them otherwise, if the traveler books a trip that’s more expensive, Continental will let him keep it on the same credit card (ours)! I spoke to the representative myself, basically telling her to cancel the reservation and keep the money, but there’s nothing she could do about it. Picture a situation where you’re bringing someone in for an interview, or perhaps you book a flight for an employee who quits, then they turn around and use the fare towards a ski vacation. Ha ha, joke’s on you!
I contacted the FAA who redirected me to the DOT, who basically gave me lip service, saying Continental is within their contractual rights and next time we should book full fare, etc. etc. ad nauseam.
Quite a little racket, eh?
Jeff Fowler
President
Decision Software, Inc.
P.S. I’ve been amused with the responses advising me how to avoid this situation. These include (a) force the traveler to make their own reservations and apply for reiumbursement, (b) book full fare at over 4 times the price, (c) use Delta instead of Continental, (d) have the traveler sign a contract agreeing not to reuse the tickets, and (e) use teleconferencing rather than flying. All of these are simply ways to cure or avoid the effect of the problem rather than the cause, and none will work in every circumstance. Continental (and other airlines) should simply allow the party that purchases the ticket indicate that it cannot be reused upon cancellation. That corrects the root of the problem, then we no longer have to deal with the effect.
