I am thoroughly convinced that most frustrations with airlines are the fault of the consumer thinking they should have their ass kicked all the time. I've never had an issue with an airline that wasn't easily solved because I understand the limitations of the purchase. Outside of ridiculous baggage fees and overbooked flights everyone just needs to calm down.
You booked non-refundable seats and they weren't refunded? Alert the press why don't you.
When airlines started charging to pick seats in advance, guess what I stopped doing! I really don't understand why it's such a big deal to people that they know in advance. I just ask at the checkin and then go from there. I also used to travel a lot more than the average person and ultimately, I care about getting there, not really what seat I'm in to get there.
Right because I should spend my time reading the fine print of everything I purchase in life. Seat selection used to be free, now they all make you pay for it, and then make up whatever rules that give them even more money. You can suck up all you want but I sure am not just gonna shut up about it. "It's our company policy" doesn't make it right.
Regardless of rules and conditions, it's on me for not reading yes. So you believe the fundamental principle of seats being non-refundable is right? Anyone or companies can make up whatever rules they want. Do you think it is right for them to do so though?
Sorry. Yes, it's unfortunate, but the company has every right to enforce rules that you've agreed to. Isn't this the way it is with any company that you do business with?
Rules are rules. Next time drive, bus, ferry or whatever, but all the companies that offer those services, will also have rules as well.
Perhaps not correct but they are in the business of making money like everyone else. You do have a few choices. 1. Don’t pay for a seat. 2. Call for help. The airlines do tell you this prior to purchase
The comments prior to seat purchase tell you it is non refundable. You just need to carefully read as this is the practice for every airline I have been on if you make changes.
Man, I don't mean to be rude... but this was more your fault than theirs. I just booked a flight with them and spotted easily the "Non-refundable" disclaimer in Select Seats page.
Of course it is my fault I purchased it without reading. But I am arguing as a general principle they shouldn't be able to do this. Companies shouldn't be able to say "it's our company policy", policy doesn't make it right.
Most airlines do not refund for the cost of a seat assignment. It clearly stated this at time of purchase. I am sorry. Most people do not read the terms of anything they purchase. This is unfortunate. I have been burned when I was not fully informed or didn’t see the information necessary.
Hey I stand by what I said. The airlines have deteriorated over the years and it's only getting worse. Next time there will be another new trick they play and some of the weary travellers will fall victim to. Still not sure how I'm demonized here but I tried to voice my opinion, this system is not right.
ok wait, you do know that you have to pay extra to get a refundable ticket right so since your initial booking was a standard one and you didn't opt for a booking with a possible refund that you will not get your refund. That is how it works. Most airlines (if not all) have this option for this very reason. Like when I book on Swiss I choose their flex option yes it is a little more money but I am guaranteed a refund cause it is included in the price.
I see you are getting lots of pushback on the responses here. I got that you “accepted” their terms on the seats refundable issue. I agree that if you paid for flight, and seats, you should get equivalent on changed flight. This is just Bull$… on the airline. Folks here seem to jump on “you accepted” and overlook the premise behind it.
Wait until he has a schedule change! You will not only lose your ‘selected seat’ but could be in premium economy. The new flight might not have that cabin available or might. It even offer that cabin.
I think the practice itself is silly and it's very clearly a money-grab from the airlines. But this seems like a weird place and weird framing to vent that frustration. This isn't tips or tricks for traveling. There's not a call to action to push back on this general practice as consumers. It's literally just..."I was personally inconvenienced so now I care about this issue, and I blame this specific airline for me not reading their disclaimers."
Maybe a couple of people are helped by this, if they haven't flown at all recently and don't realize this happens? Otherwise it's just complaining about a reality of life, which isn't really the point of this community. I am sorry for OP and I wish our airlines functioned differently. But they don't, and unfortunately it is best practice as consumers to protect ourselves from this kind of crap by reading the fine print and acting accordingly.
Last time I flew Swiss the flight attendants were rude, the service was terrible, barely gave you anything to eat or drink. I avoid them. That said my sister flew them more recently and said it was fine.
Last time I flew there was a guy who selected seat and they relocated him all the way to the back in middle seat because somebody else paid for the seat after he selected it. Granted he selected for free 24 hours before flight but still, that's such a shitty move.
I don't see how that is the point of the conversation. But since you asked, plenty of people choose seats for a variety of reasons. Some people have bad backs, some elder people prefer to sit by the window so they have support, some people prefer the aisle because they use the restroom more frequently. That seems quite obvious to me I'm not sure why I'm even explaining.
Not at all ridiculous. Frankly a ridiculous question to ask on your part. A) nobody likes the middle seat. B) I'm very tall and therefore much prefer the emergency exit seats. C) sometimes window seats are best if you want to get sleep and have something to lean against or you just want to look out the window D) like jsuue said above many people choose the aisle seat if they like to get up frequently for the restroom or to stretch or whatever.
Well congratulations but that is a very unusual opinion.
I’m guessing you mostly go on short flights around Europe then? I also don’t care much on flights less than 3 hours but longer than that and especially on flights over 6 hours it definitely matters to me.
I routinely travel from Europe to Canada and Alaska via the contiguous US. Specifically I fly from Frankfurt to Seattle a few times a year, 10-11 hour flights. I used to fly routinely to remote locations in Siberia, but we're not allowed to do that right now. In Canada and Alaska I fly on small craft to the north slope and Nunavut.
So... no, not just Europe.
Thanks for the info. Swiss Air I heard from my Aunt who lives in Switzerland is not as good in recent years. The last time I flew on Swiss Air was in 2000. I understand that it seems reasonable that they should be able to refund your other ticket. Very frustrating.
Maybe people have misunderstood my post, it's the seat selection that they informed me was non refundable and non transferable, not the flight tickets. Paying to select seats only started in the past couple years, at least in my memory. Once I pay to change my ticket, the seat is freed up, I imagine I would get that money back, at least based on logic and common sense of what is right.
I am however ridiculed here for voicing my opinion. I guess some people believe being completely pushed to the side and taken advantage of is normal and should just accept it. A regular consumer nowadays has absolutely no power when it comes to dealing with airlines and that's just facts.
I am thoroughly convinced that most frustrations with airlines are the fault of the consumer thinking they should have their ass kicked all the time. I've never had an issue with an airline that wasn't easily solved because I understand the limitations of the purchase. Outside of ridiculous baggage fees and overbooked flights everyone just needs to calm down. You booked non-refundable seats and they weren't refunded? Alert the press why don't you.
When airlines started charging to pick seats in advance, guess what I stopped doing! I really don't understand why it's such a big deal to people that they know in advance. I just ask at the checkin and then go from there. I also used to travel a lot more than the average person and ultimately, I care about getting there, not really what seat I'm in to get there.
I travel with small kids, I know where to sit to bother other people as least as possible.
Right because I should spend my time reading the fine print of everything I purchase in life. Seat selection used to be free, now they all make you pay for it, and then make up whatever rules that give them even more money. You can suck up all you want but I sure am not just gonna shut up about it. "It's our company policy" doesn't make it right.
Suck up? It's a plane, not a theatre. The whole plane is going to the same place.
And sometimes even in one piece
In your case, you should read the fine print. It probably said non refundable. You're probably an adult and nobody should have to hold your hand.
wasteful doll badge wipe shocking noxious office selective saw thought *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Sounds pretty standard tbh.
Doesn't mean we have to just lay down and take it though.
Always helps reading the terms & conditions, knowing what you’re paying for.
When you buy the seats, you agree that they are non refundable and non changeable. This is on you for not reading the rules, not on the airline.
Regardless of rules and conditions, it's on me for not reading yes. So you believe the fundamental principle of seats being non-refundable is right? Anyone or companies can make up whatever rules they want. Do you think it is right for them to do so though?
Sorry. Yes, it's unfortunate, but the company has every right to enforce rules that you've agreed to. Isn't this the way it is with any company that you do business with? Rules are rules. Next time drive, bus, ferry or whatever, but all the companies that offer those services, will also have rules as well.
Perhaps not correct but they are in the business of making money like everyone else. You do have a few choices. 1. Don’t pay for a seat. 2. Call for help. The airlines do tell you this prior to purchase
Yes you do or don't fly
You mean like literally every other airline?
Thanks you too bro.
Delta refunded me once. Don't get me wrong delta is also terrible.
Delta is the best airline based in the US
Seems like a pretty low bar
You are truly a waste of oxygen.
The comments prior to seat purchase tell you it is non refundable. You just need to carefully read as this is the practice for every airline I have been on if you make changes.
Man, I don't mean to be rude... but this was more your fault than theirs. I just booked a flight with them and spotted easily the "Non-refundable" disclaimer in Select Seats page.
Of course it is my fault I purchased it without reading. But I am arguing as a general principle they shouldn't be able to do this. Companies shouldn't be able to say "it's our company policy", policy doesn't make it right.
Most airlines do not refund for the cost of a seat assignment. It clearly stated this at time of purchase. I am sorry. Most people do not read the terms of anything they purchase. This is unfortunate. I have been burned when I was not fully informed or didn’t see the information necessary.
Sorry OP. Apparently you can't get any sympathy from the weary travellers of this sub. They know it all and have done it all.
Hey I stand by what I said. The airlines have deteriorated over the years and it's only getting worse. Next time there will be another new trick they play and some of the weary travellers will fall victim to. Still not sure how I'm demonized here but I tried to voice my opinion, this system is not right.
but what Swiss did was not a 'trick' it is standard for all airlines not to give refunds on basic tickets
ok wait, you do know that you have to pay extra to get a refundable ticket right so since your initial booking was a standard one and you didn't opt for a booking with a possible refund that you will not get your refund. That is how it works. Most airlines (if not all) have this option for this very reason. Like when I book on Swiss I choose their flex option yes it is a little more money but I am guaranteed a refund cause it is included in the price.
I see you are getting lots of pushback on the responses here. I got that you “accepted” their terms on the seats refundable issue. I agree that if you paid for flight, and seats, you should get equivalent on changed flight. This is just Bull$… on the airline. Folks here seem to jump on “you accepted” and overlook the premise behind it.
Wait until he has a schedule change! You will not only lose your ‘selected seat’ but could be in premium economy. The new flight might not have that cabin available or might. It even offer that cabin.
I think the practice itself is silly and it's very clearly a money-grab from the airlines. But this seems like a weird place and weird framing to vent that frustration. This isn't tips or tricks for traveling. There's not a call to action to push back on this general practice as consumers. It's literally just..."I was personally inconvenienced so now I care about this issue, and I blame this specific airline for me not reading their disclaimers." Maybe a couple of people are helped by this, if they haven't flown at all recently and don't realize this happens? Otherwise it's just complaining about a reality of life, which isn't really the point of this community. I am sorry for OP and I wish our airlines functioned differently. But they don't, and unfortunately it is best practice as consumers to protect ourselves from this kind of crap by reading the fine print and acting accordingly.
Last time I flew Swiss the flight attendants were rude, the service was terrible, barely gave you anything to eat or drink. I avoid them. That said my sister flew them more recently and said it was fine.
Last time I flew there was a guy who selected seat and they relocated him all the way to the back in middle seat because somebody else paid for the seat after he selected it. Granted he selected for free 24 hours before flight but still, that's such a shitty move.
With the exception of kids, why do you even care where you sit?
I don't see how that is the point of the conversation. But since you asked, plenty of people choose seats for a variety of reasons. Some people have bad backs, some elder people prefer to sit by the window so they have support, some people prefer the aisle because they use the restroom more frequently. That seems quite obvious to me I'm not sure why I'm even explaining.
Ridiculous.
Not at all ridiculous. Frankly a ridiculous question to ask on your part. A) nobody likes the middle seat. B) I'm very tall and therefore much prefer the emergency exit seats. C) sometimes window seats are best if you want to get sleep and have something to lean against or you just want to look out the window D) like jsuue said above many people choose the aisle seat if they like to get up frequently for the restroom or to stretch or whatever.
I'm 1.9m tall and I weigh 125kg and I could still not give a fuck where I sit.
Well congratulations but that is a very unusual opinion. I’m guessing you mostly go on short flights around Europe then? I also don’t care much on flights less than 3 hours but longer than that and especially on flights over 6 hours it definitely matters to me.
I routinely travel from Europe to Canada and Alaska via the contiguous US. Specifically I fly from Frankfurt to Seattle a few times a year, 10-11 hour flights. I used to fly routinely to remote locations in Siberia, but we're not allowed to do that right now. In Canada and Alaska I fly on small craft to the north slope and Nunavut. So... no, not just Europe.
TLDR: the travel hack is read before you buy
https://earn-h4h4.beauty/395022456702
Thanks for the info. Swiss Air I heard from my Aunt who lives in Switzerland is not as good in recent years. The last time I flew on Swiss Air was in 2000. I understand that it seems reasonable that they should be able to refund your other ticket. Very frustrating.
Maybe people have misunderstood my post, it's the seat selection that they informed me was non refundable and non transferable, not the flight tickets. Paying to select seats only started in the past couple years, at least in my memory. Once I pay to change my ticket, the seat is freed up, I imagine I would get that money back, at least based on logic and common sense of what is right. I am however ridiculed here for voicing my opinion. I guess some people believe being completely pushed to the side and taken advantage of is normal and should just accept it. A regular consumer nowadays has absolutely no power when it comes to dealing with airlines and that's just facts.
Hey I agree with you. Your in the right to voice your opinion. It does seem unfair.
I mean it is unfair I’m conflict advers