[Buff76]

My family of 4 had reservations for two flights each to get to our destination and two flights each returning from our destination approximately one week later. We missed the first leg of our trip but had ample time to rebook and get to our second leg and continue our itinerary. We were unable to do so as US Airways cancelled, without permission or even notification, our entire itinerary. 4 passengers X 4 legs. Our vacation was ruined and their only offer to rectify their mistake was that we could use the tickets within 1 year for the same travellers for a $150 change fee per ticket. I have been unable to find any policy that supports their ability to cancel my flights and keep my money. They have horrible to deal with and have made NO attempt to make this situation right.

[Matt_FLL]

Sorry to hear about this. When you missed the first leg and rebooked it, was it rebooked on US airways or another carrier?

[Gromit801]

They didn't make the mistake, you did when you missed the first leg of the trip. Every airline cancels if a person misses any part of an itinerary. As far as they know, since you didn't inform them that you were going to miss your flight, you had no intention of making the trip.

[The_Judge]

Originally Posted by Buff76

My family of 4 had reservations for two flights each to get to our destination and two flights each returning from our destination approximately one week later. We missed the first leg of our trip but had ample time to rebook and get to our second leg and continue our itinerary. We were unable to do so as US Airways cancelled, without permission or even notification, our entire itinerary. 4 passengers X 4 legs. Our vacation was ruined and their only offer to rectify their mistake was that we could use the tickets within 1 year for the same travellers for a $150 change fee per ticket. I have been unable to find any policy that supports their ability to cancel my flights and keep my money. They have horrible to deal with and have made NO attempt to make this situation right.

They did have permission. When a person buys a ticket for travel, the purchase creates a contract. Part of that contract is the dreaded Contract of Carriage. This is a quote from that contract that gives them the absolute right to cancel all segments unused after you no-showed for your flight.

4.3 FAILURE TO USE FLIGHT COUPONS
A customer who, due to a cancellation or delay of a flight or a voluntary change, does not fly a segment
of his or her itinerary must notify US Airways of any alternate travel plans prior to the originally scheduled
flight departure to avoid cancellation of remaining segments. Depending on the changes made
and the ticket issued, additional charges, including a change fee or refunds, may apply.

Page 10, Para. 4.3

[Matt_FLL]

I am curious… was the ticket re-issued on US airways by a US airways agent? If so, that agent had a duty to notify you about the Contract of Carriage terms which would automatically cancel your other segments. You would have leeway for them to waive the change fee, but you’d have to go through Customer Care. They should have found a way for you to buy your new flights while reinstating the remaining segments.

If the ticket was issued any other way or on another carrier, you did break the rules of your US airways ticket. The Judge took the time to copy and paste the Contract of Carriage which states it rather bluntly. I totally understand that few people read or understand the Contract of Carriage and/or the fare rules. But that is what you “signed” when purchasing the original tickets, and I think the change fee should apply. Remember that other people paid high fares for a refundable ticket. It would be unfair to those passengers to waive this for you.

[The_Judge]

Originally Posted by Matt_FLL

I am curious… was the ticket re-issued on US airways by a US airways agent? If so, that agent had a duty to notify you about the Contract of Carriage terms which would automatically cancel your other segments. You would have leeway for them to waive the change fee, but you’d have to go through Customer Care. They should have found a way for you to buy your new flights while reinstating the remaining segments.

Huh??? First, if I remember correctly, an airline may NOT reissue another airline's ticket stock so that question you have is not pertinent. Second, there is no such 'duty' to notify a passenger of such a term. And third, waive?? Are you joking? I don't believe the agents nowadays are even familiar with that word.

[Matt_FLL]

Hi guys, sorry for not writing my thoughts clearly.

As per the OP: “We missed the first leg of our trip but had ample time to rebook and get our second leg and continue our itinerary.”

I wanted to confirm that your “rebooked” leg was on US Airways.
If you simply booked a ticket on another airline to substitute leg 1 (which you missed), and then expected to continue leg 2 and beyond on US Airways, you clearly violated the COC and are out of luck.

If it was on US Airways, I want to know if the ticket was issued by a US Airways agent (instead of a travel agency). If you explained that you missed your first leg, he or she should have allowed you to pay for a change to leg 1 and then maintain the integrity of the remainder of your itinerary. If the agent failed to do so, you could (and should) argue the point to Customer Care. A reasonable agent would issue a voucher for the original ticket value without the reissue/change penalty.

[Gromit801]

Matt, I think they mean they had ample time to rebook, assuming the airline WOULD rebook a cancelled ticket. You can't rebook a ticket that no longer exists.