Airline just emailed me that my flight scheduled for January 15 next year would depart 2.5 hours earlier then the original schedule.
I have the options of accepting the new schedule or getting a full refund. Do I need to respond to this change soon? Will these options still be available say two weeks before the departure date? Thanks!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8879 posts
You would have to check with the airline for the specific policy on this. My impression is that there is not endless time to make these decisions, but each airline could be different.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2790 posts
If you want to take the flight you need to respond soon because other people will be more proactive and so two weeks before the flight you’re going to discover there’s nothing you want to take left. I don’t know about refunds because you’d have to give us information on what airline etc.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7937 posts
Not that this should influence your decision about timing response, but I wonder whether the schedule won’t get changed again, an additional time before your trip tended departure date?
Our current trip to/from Italy had 3 changes, maybe 4, although most were just 5 to 15 minutes, not as long as your change. We fly home in a week … hopefully the schedule doesn’t change again.
Posted by
OP
Somewhere
66 posts
I just talked to an United agent; I will have an option to change or refund the ticket at least 24 hours prior to the flight or sooner. So I have until January 14 next year to make a decision; plenty of time :) Thank you all for your response!
Posted by
OP
Somewhere
66 posts
@Gail: very valid points you're raising. My ticket is not refundable; so I'm using this opportunity to give myself some flexibility. I will make a decision as I get closer to the travel date. Thanks!
Posted by
Portland, OR (PDX)
321 posts
As others have pointed out, as you get closer to departure your options narrow. I would research my options NOW, and consider changing. OTOH, I don't know whether that 2.5 hour earlier departure is the first leg or a connection. Does this change significantly negatively affect a connection time?
Personally, I like lots of time for connections. If this change adds some slack in the schedule, and I have access to a longe, I'd accept the change.