CLMP

This is about the third time this has happened in about a year and a half. In the first instance, the FA's and their union pitched in and raised enough to hand a refund over to the passenger whose wife had died the night before their scheduled trip. I'm normally the last one to side with our management, but I'm torn on this subject. On one hand, we do not overbook flights so if this happens last minute, the company is out that revenue. On the other hand, demonstrating a shred of humanity goes a long way towards public relations. They attempt this by highly publicizing their involvement with Make-a-Wish, but I fear it's more for a tax deduction than anything else.

ManFlex

This isn't about compassion or sympathy. This is about money. Why are airlines expected to behave differently than other types of businesses? A customer purchases a non refundable product and does not insure it. Customer is now unable to use product and expects a refund. This isn't 1950 where the customer is always right even when they're clearly wrong. Most of us feel great compassion for this man, but I don't think he deserves a refund.

Firsttimeflyer

Would have been much better publicity if they offered the refund and the media showed allegiant in a positive light instead of a negative one.

The only good news is that consumers don't really care, they want the cheapest price and will look past an event like this as they don't think it will happen to them and 99.99% of them are correct.

ManFlex

I doubt good publicity is important to G4. That's Delta type territory. G4 getting some publicity for free is probably more valuable. How many people now know that G4 flies from BLI to SFB? Many more. And unless they are worried about dying before the trip, I bet they'll book a ticket if the price is right.

CLMP

It's Disneyland, not Disney World. They were going from BLI to LAX. We don't serve BLI to SFB. But I do agree that they don't care about bad press. As long as the money rolls in, public opinion matters not.

sandlapper223

Sadly, many in the general public (and professionals on this board) do not read or follow or understand the terms and conditions for an airline or company they do business with.

While someone's death is tragic, it should not be left to burden to the airline to compensate the traveller due to the travelers oversight (even in the event of death).

Allegiant offers "de-constructed" fares, like Spirit and others, to offer the customer a low base fare and the option to choose what services they want to use. Most other airlines include such services in their fares, whether the customer wants them or uses them or not. Like refreshments and snacks, bags, printed boarding passes, and reservation changes and cancellations. These features APPEAR free - but are actually included in the fare.

Allegiant, like other ULCC's has the policy:

"All purchases of travel, hotel, auto rental, activities or services, baggage and seat fees, and related booking fees, carrier charges and taxes are non-refundable. If you do not show up for your flight or fail to cancel within the specified cancellation window prior to scheduled departure, your entire fare plus fees for that segment will be forfeited.

Purchasing TripFlexTM at the time of booking gives you the flexibility to change and cancel your reservation without fees."

TripFlex costs between $8-$20 (according to their website) for this service.

If the passenger felt this service was important to him/her, they would have purchased it, don't you think? Why should the airline absorb this loss of fare when it is so clearly presented in the terms?

And remember - there is no such thing as bad press.

Boomer

Your first post looks like you are expressing your own feelings. Quotes would help.