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#1
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I got a NWA travel voucher...
In July, I got involuntarily bumped from a Northwest Airlines flight,
and they gave me a travel voucher good for a free round-trip ticket anywhere in the USA, including Alaska but not Hawaii. Several people told me I should book a flight as soon as possible, because there are very few seats available for these vouchers (one person said, "Book it eleven months ahead"). I just called NWA and tried to book a flight to Anchorage in June 2005, returning 12 days later. The reservation agent said nothing was available to fly to Anchorage until July 4, 2005, and there were no return flights available for me until August 20th!!! He said I should call back in a couple of months, because the flights were not yet "set up" that far in advance. I know lots of people get bumped. How can you actually use the free ticket? Are there likely to be more seats available later, or less? The ticket is pretty useless to me if I can't get a return flight about two weeks after the outgoing flight. Hmmm... is this how the airline saves money, by making it virtually impossible to use the voucher? - Zelda |
#2
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I dunno about NWA, but I had no trouble using one on another airline for flights 2-4 months out. I'd be reluctant to tie myself into a trip that far in advance... and maybe the airline is too. I would guess that they do not want to let you fill a seat so far out because the demand is unknown, but they start to put seats on sale 2-4 mos before because its then apparent that they won't sell out. [R] "Zelda" wrote in message m... In July, I got involuntarily bumped from a Northwest Airlines flight, and they gave me a travel voucher good for a free round-trip ticket anywhere in the USA, including Alaska but not Hawaii. Several people told me I should book a flight as soon as possible, because there are very few seats available for these vouchers (one person said, "Book it eleven months ahead"). I just called NWA and tried to book a flight to Anchorage in June 2005, returning 12 days later. The reservation agent said nothing was available to fly to Anchorage until July 4, 2005, and there were no return flights available for me until August 20th!!! He said I should call back in a couple of months, because the flights were not yet "set up" that far in advance. I know lots of people get bumped. How can you actually use the free ticket? Are there likely to be more seats available later, or less? The ticket is pretty useless to me if I can't get a return flight about two weeks after the outgoing flight. Hmmm... is this how the airline saves money, by making it virtually impossible to use the voucher? - Zelda |
#3
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I dunno about NWA, but I had no trouble using one on another airline for flights 2-4 months out. I'd be reluctant to tie myself into a trip that far in advance... and maybe the airline is too. I would guess that they do not want to let you fill a seat so far out because the demand is unknown, but they start to put seats on sale 2-4 mos before because its then apparent that they won't sell out. [R] "Zelda" wrote in message m... In July, I got involuntarily bumped from a Northwest Airlines flight, and they gave me a travel voucher good for a free round-trip ticket anywhere in the USA, including Alaska but not Hawaii. Several people told me I should book a flight as soon as possible, because there are very few seats available for these vouchers (one person said, "Book it eleven months ahead"). I just called NWA and tried to book a flight to Anchorage in June 2005, returning 12 days later. The reservation agent said nothing was available to fly to Anchorage until July 4, 2005, and there were no return flights available for me until August 20th!!! He said I should call back in a couple of months, because the flights were not yet "set up" that far in advance. I know lots of people get bumped. How can you actually use the free ticket? Are there likely to be more seats available later, or less? The ticket is pretty useless to me if I can't get a return flight about two weeks after the outgoing flight. Hmmm... is this how the airline saves money, by making it virtually impossible to use the voucher? - Zelda |
#4
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yes, and you might as well resign yourself to that.
Of course the window of opportunity for Alaska is very small and therefore, not many "free" seats. If you truly want a free seat to anywhere you will have to book 2-4 months in advance and then just be happy with the trip you have planned on the free ticket. Even NW Frequent Flyer tickets are hard to come by for Alaska and Hawaii and those you do need to book 11 months in advance at the least. Good luck! -- jtc "Zelda" wrote in message m... In July, I got involuntarily bumped from a Northwest Airlines flight, and they gave me a travel voucher good for a free round-trip ticket anywhere in the USA, including Alaska but not Hawaii. Several people told me I should book a flight as soon as possible, because there are very few seats available for these vouchers (one person said, "Book it eleven months ahead"). I just called NWA and tried to book a flight to Anchorage in June 2005, returning 12 days later. The reservation agent said nothing was available to fly to Anchorage until July 4, 2005, and there were no return flights available for me until August 20th!!! He said I should call back in a couple of months, because the flights were not yet "set up" that far in advance. I know lots of people get bumped. How can you actually use the free ticket? Are there likely to be more seats available later, or less? The ticket is pretty useless to me if I can't get a return flight about two weeks after the outgoing flight. Hmmm... is this how the airline saves money, by making it virtually impossible to use the voucher? - Zelda |
#5
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Several people told me I should book a flight as soon as possible,
because there are very few seats available for these vouchers I've used Northwest Airlines vouchers before, nearly a year later, with no problems. In fact, I voluntarily bumped myself off the overbooked flight for a voucher for another flight within one year, and an upgrade to first class for the original destination later that same day. How can you actually use the free ticket? Just make your reservation, and when it comes to the part where it's time to tell them how you're going to pay, tell them you're using a voucher. Or tell them on the front end; makes no difference. |
#6
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Several people told me I should book a flight as soon as possible,
because there are very few seats available for these vouchers I've used Northwest Airlines vouchers before, nearly a year later, with no problems. In fact, I voluntarily bumped myself off the overbooked flight for a voucher for another flight within one year, and an upgrade to first class for the original destination later that same day. How can you actually use the free ticket? Just make your reservation, and when it comes to the part where it's time to tell them how you're going to pay, tell them you're using a voucher. Or tell them on the front end; makes no difference. |
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