Change Of Airport

The_Edge

Hi Guys,
I recently flew to New York for a few days, via Toronto to keep the cost down. I travel a lot so never print the itinerary or anything just trust myself. Really annoying one time when I raced to Heathrow for a flight only to realise I should have been at Gatwick!! (flew into Gatwick & out from Heathrow!!).

Anyway, I thought I was more prepared this time. We flew into JFK & were returning from Newark. I checked this before I booked the shuttle to the Airport & was pleased to arrive at Newark with no problems.

When we could not check in at the machine, we went to the desk & the guy told me we were not on that flight (Newark to Toronto 1930) I just assumed, hell I got it wrong again - initially thinking wrong day rather than wrong flight.

He checked the later flight, we weren't on that, neither were we on the next day. Then he found us, we were supposed to fly on the 1935 from LaGuardia to Toronto. He tried to book us on the Newark flight but that was full.

We still had time on our side, but the only option at that point was to get a cab from Newark to LaGuardia which wasn't cheap - but red-faced I had no choice.

We got to LaGuardia and made the flight, my girlfriend didn't seem to understand my annoyance at getting the Airport wrong - it could happen to anyone. Fair enough, but not twice & especially when I had checked & double checked. I had no idea how I could have made such a mistake. I thought I was going crazy!

When we arrived in Toronto, I checked the booking - you know whats coming - I HADN'T MADE A MISTAKE. It clearly said we were booked on the 1930 from Newark.

I went to the Air Canada desk, and then told me I would need to contact the Agent which is Opodo.

Before I contact them I want to run it past you guys. How should I word the mail & what can I expect? I am thinking here the minimum is my out of pocket expenses, Opodo never made any attempt to contact me by email I have gone back & checked them all.

Any help gratefully received!!

bagand96

Write to Opodo stating just the facts concisely. Ask them when the change was made and why you weren't notified. I imagine you'll only get your out of pocket expenses back I.e. cost of the taxi (luckily you had time on your side).

Did you ever check your booking on Opodo or Air Canada's website before travelling? Or just go off the original confirmation email?

Meadows

Other than you contacting Opodo it might be time you stopped trusting you memory and started printing hard details especially when you are not at fault then at least you can argue from strength.

The_Edge

I was going off the Confirmation email. I checked in online on the outward journey but when I tried on the return journey it was 'unavailable'. I must have done about 80 flights last year, and never experienced this!

jpsartre

I think you first of all need to determine what the problem was. Was there a schedule change after you booked or an error in the booking email/Opodo's system? If the former, you are unlikely to get anything back I think as it's ultimately your responsibility to confirm your itinerary before you travel. That said, a schedule change sounds unlikely if the flight you thought you were booked on left on schedule.

Not that it's any help to you now but this sounds like yet another example of a problem that most likely could have been avoided by booking direct from the airline.