ORBITJFK From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 150 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 4648 times:
Hello all,
With no intention of offending anyone, is it really safe to book tickets on US Airways for future travel. The family is planning a Caribbean vacation next year, and US outscores AA in some instances, is it safer to just go with AA as the answer to US being around next March isn't clear. What are your thoughts? What would happen if we booked them and they went under?
Geoffm From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2111 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 4599 times:
Might be worth going through a travel agent who is guaranteed to cover your travel if that company went under. In the UK we have ATOL and ABTA who oversee flights and holidays respectively. If you're stranded on holiday when the companies they represent go under, they'll get you home again. Any reputable travel agency is bonded with one or more of these schemes.
Phx757 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 95 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 4569 times:
Before Vangaurd went under we had booked our family vacation on them (4 passengers). After they went under we had the option of going on another carrier for free or you would just lose your ticket (I don't think they gave refunds). I think the options were ATA, NWA, HP, or UA?
ATA was happy to accept our Vangaurd tickets.
Freshlove1 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 5 days ago) and read 4458 times:
Yes it is perfectly safe to book on US no matter what date you want. But if you think that they will go under make sure you pay with a credit card so you are protected and can get your money back, but you really shouldn't have to worry about anything
Jetdeltamsy From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 2984 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 4402 times:
if you live in the u.s.a., put the tickets on a credit card. you'll get a refund if they shut down. of course that doesn't necessarily get you to where you want to go.
buy AA, or better yet, DL 'cause we need the business.
thank you!
Worked for too many airlines to list. Banktupcy after bankruptcy after bankruptcy.
PHLapproach From Philippines, joined Mar 2004, 1184 posts, RR: 22 Reply 6, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 4355 times:
Everyone has been so scared by US's financial state. When they haven't even looked at DL or UA. I just flew US and I got the same great service at the same great price PHL-FLL 156.70 R/T. I think you are good to go on that trip .
ATL2CDG From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 296 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 4342 times:
PHLapproach:
I don't think the original poster is worried about the quality of service, but rather the existence of service come travel time.
Furthermore, DL and UA are no where near as fragile as US is.
Cloudy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 4313 times:
This is really four questions.....
1. Will you loose the value of your tickets if USair goes belly up?
The answer to this is NO. The same laws that created the ATSB and the 9-11 grants to the airlines protect you if an airline dies, and this has been a custom in the industry even before such laws. Other airlines are required to honor their tickets. You may have to pay a change fee which could be significant with a whole family's worth of tickets.
2. Will your travel plans be disrupted is USair goes belly up?
Almost certainly YES. The danger of this is greatest on routes where USair has the most market share. The chances of being able to rebook a flight to the same destination and time are pretty darn slim if USAir goes belly up anytime within a couple months of your travel date. Airlines run with relatively few empty seats on most routes, most of the time and there will be many people in your situation. Finding seats for a whole family together would be particularily difficult in such times. You will probably have to choose different travel dates. This means you are pretty much screwed if it happens to soon to change the time you get off from work, etc. You could even be stranded for a time if you are unlucky enough to have USair liquidate while you are away.
3. Is there a significant chance that USair will go belly up by this time next year?
YES. In fact many intelligent people on this board believe that there is a better than even chance this will happen. I wouldn't venture to guess myself.
4. Is American less likely to fail?
YES. The likelihood that American will go belly up by the time you mention is very, very slim. A chapter 11 filing may happen by that date but that does not affect passengers. If there is another recession or terrorist attack then all bets are off. If JetBlue flies to your destination I'd pick them. If your destination has a flag carrier you MIGHT also be in better shape since those countries tend to protect their flag carriers - for obvious reasons.
IN SHORT...American is a pretty safe bet for now, and if the choice is just between USAir and American I'd fly American even if it was a little bit more costly. JetBlue (though not ATA or other lo-co's that go to that region) would be even more desirable for me. I would do this NOT to protect the value of my tickets, but to prevent my travel plans from being disrupted. Getting everyone ready to go somewhere on a particular week or two is a monumental undertaking for most families, and very few can simply change travel dates at a whim if an airline goes belly up.
Johnboy From United States of America, joined Aug 1999, 2477 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 4307 times:
IMHO, why book on a carrier in such dire financial straits? All the apologists will point out that nearly all are doing poorly, but there certainly are degrees of financial instability out there.
All you'll be thinking of every time a poor financial performance is reported on the news, is why did I put myself thru this when I could have booked on another carrier?
To me, it's not worth the hassle.....but that's me.
StarCruiser From United States of America, joined May 2004, 301 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 4286 times:
If I were you I would book AA and be done with it. It's not worth the worry and loss of sleep wondering. Yes, US is a fine airline, but if you're this concerned why go through the hassle?
Venezuela747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 1409 posts, RR: 5 Reply 11, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 4211 times:
What about booking a US Airways flight that is served by United on Ocotber. If the airline goes down by then (which I hope it doesn't) will UA still recognize my ticket???
NW747400 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 329 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 4198 times:
My dad used 2 fly on US almost every week and has tons of frequent flyer miles. Not trying to offend anyone here but does anyone know the soonest that US could go belly up, because I would sure hate to see all those frequent flyer miles go to waste.
NW747400
Jfklganyc From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 2706 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 4158 times:
I think they have to post a profit by 2005--if not they're in default and they're done. Poor US. They are a shell of their former self.
AirPortugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3105 posts, RR: 2 Reply 14, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 4149 times:
3. Is there a significant chance that USair will go belly up by this time next year?
YES. In fact many intelligent people on this board believe that there is a better than even chance this will happen. I wouldn't venture to guess myself.
Wow! Speculation! Say it aint sooooo How about I say that US Airways stays in business. Gasp! But I am not so intelligent so who am I to say....(sarcasm cough cough)
Elwood64151 From United States of America, joined Feb 2002, 2477 posts, RR: 7 Reply 15, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 4143 times:
If the airline you're flying goes bankrupt and shuts down, then by law, any airline that accepted the grants following 9/11 must honor your ticket with the next available seat. They may charge a fee of up to $25 for processing costs.
Your US tickets are safe.
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it in summer school.
UA777222 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 3348 posts, RR: 13 Reply 16, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 4059 times:
To be even more safe do any of the Star Alliance members fly to where you are going. If that happens then I would think all the US airways flights would be put on any aviable seats.
Flaps From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 1143 posts, RR: 4 Reply 17, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 4029 times:
I stopped booking with them six months ago. Although their demise certainly isnt imminent their schedules are in a constant state of flux. It largely depends on the city pairs you're booking though as to whether that affects you. I've found a number of other alternatives that suit my needs without the potential hassle and risk.
The more publicity their financial troubles elicit, the more people will begin booking away from them. Eventually it leads to a declining spiral from which the failing carrier can't recover. Read "Flying Colors" for some great examples of the death throes of a major carrier. US hasnt entered that cycle yet but expect to hear a lot more about their "troubles" when the fall schedule kicks in.
Rev3oh2 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 141 posts, RR: 1 Reply 18, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3990 times:
I'm wondering what factors will do US in as long as concessions are made by the various unions and they keep flying passengers. Not being skeptical of those predicting doom, but if enough folks keep flying and they are able to cut costs, perhaps they'll post a small profit in '05.
Meanwhile, US is still the best option by far for this writer. Traveling out of CLT with non-stops pretty much all over the country, it's very comfy if tickets are bought a month or so out. Latest flight was last weekend to PHX. Noticed they had gone from A320 on my last trip there in March to A319s on this trip.
...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
John From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 1367 posts, RR: 6 Reply 19, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3969 times:
Ummmmm....DL is getting ready to take a 1.2 billion LOSS folks...Will you people PLEASE quit ragging on US Airways...for cripe sakes! All you freakin' virtual CEO's think you know it all, don't you?! NOT!! ALL, I repeat ALL the legacy carriers are in financial turmoil right now, so why do you point the finger specifically at US and dig them a grave? DL's costs are higher than US right now, UA is STILL hiding behind their bankruptcy....shall I continue? Do some of us a favor and quit the cynical attitudes, will ya please? Do you think it's a pleasant situation for any of us who work for these ("legacy") airlines? Put yourselves in our place for one minute! I'm not asking for anyone's sympathy, but at least show a little respect, if you can....GEESH! :roll: To those of you starting your careers with B6, FL or HP, I wish you luck, but would you work for 5 years without a raise? THINK ABOUT IT! And if you finally got that raise and the company decided to take it away from you and brought your salary back to where you started, would you be happy?
Cloudy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (8 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 3916 times:
Air Portugal said....
----
3. Is there a significant chance that USair will go belly up by this time next year?
YES. In fact many intelligent people on this board believe that there is a better than even chance this will happen. I wouldn't venture to guess myself.
Wow! Speculation! Say it aint sooooo How about I say that US Airways stays in business. Gasp! But I am not so intelligent so who am I to say....(sarcasm cough cough)
--------
I did not say that the only intelligent people are those who think USair will fail. I thought this was clear enough. There are also a lot of intelligent people who think USair will be arround. That is why I said I "would'nt venture to guess myself."
However, if you mean to continue to put words in other people's mouths, the insult IS intended. Indeed, when you do this, you are being very stupid. So please show us your intelligence in the future with better posts than this one.
And for those of you who think that "OTHER AIRLINES WILL HONOR THE TICKET.." and say so in bold type as if that is the only thing that matters...
....that may be the end of the issue for those of you whose time is of no value. But most of us do not want the hassle of changing travel plans, perhaps at the last minute, for a whole family.
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