So, hubby and I have had our airline tickets for NY since September. Hubby didn't think having his vacation time approved would be a big deal. Heh.
His boss came to him yesterday and said "ummm, you put in for time off right before Christmas?" Hubby told him that he did and his boss said "I'm assuming you're spending the holiday with your in-laws?" Again, yes. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but since that's our busy season, it's actually in the employee handbook that no time off will be approved December 1-24."
Our flight schedule is WI-NY on 12/20, back to WI on 12/27.
Shit.
It costs $100 per ticket to change.
Shit.
I'm able to change my vacation - thank God. I was worried about switching because holiday phone coverage is bare minimum, but as it turns out I had already been scheduled off on New Year's Eve anyway. So the rest of it is cake and has already been approved by my manager.
But now we have to change our flights. The ONLY good is that since the tickets are actually $14 less than they were when we bought them, so they apply the difference to the cost of switching - so it'll be $86 per ticket to switch rather than $100.
Oh, wait - there's more good - I'll be off work from 12/23 - 1/1, which is a day longer than it was going to be before.
But it still sucks.
Why the hell does it cost $100 to switch flights? I mean, really - I can understand $25, maybe even $40, but $100?!?! It entails nothing more than a 5-minute conversation with a customer service rep (BTW, Midwest Airlines, formerly Midwest Express Airlines has kick-ass customer service reps - and VERY yummy chocolate chip cookies baked in-flight)
Posted by beenie at November 7, 2003 10:40 AMOh damn that sucks! I've never heard a company having some lame rule like that, especially in a handbook... shows how greedy they are. ;)
Posted by: Shane at November 7, 2003 06:35 PMThanks, Shane. Yeah, it totally sucks. I'm happy that I'll get to be off work one day longer, and especially happy that I'll have two full days off work after I get home rather than one, I just don't get the $100 per ticket rule. I understand hubby's company's rules - it really *is* their busy season, and hubby performs an important function there (not that he'll have much to do though - anything he does will be done by the time the 22nd and 23rd roll around). I'm fairly happy about the date change, but not loving the cost.
Posted by: Kat at November 7, 2003 08:52 PMKate...
Sorry to hear about that!
Greedy bastards! Both the airlines & your hubby's company! :-)
$100.00 to change is nuts.
Posted by: Renee at November 7, 2003 10:24 PMIt is fairly common in certain businesses to have vacation black out times. One of my jobs is retail and we can't take any vacation time from 11/15-1/5. It isn't really a problem for me since I am not a family person but I see where it can be a drag for some.
As for the airlines charging to change tickets I agree totally - you don't see them paying you if they bump you or if they lose your luggage.
j
Posted by: The Cool Uncle at November 10, 2003 11:36 PM