Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Omkara]

Just a warning. They sent me my final itinerary and it said that my flight was with Korean Air. It was not. I was booked with Delta for the first leg of my trip, and with Korean Air for the rest.

So, I missed my flight. Korean Air is charging me extra to re-book, and the best that Expedia can do is offer me $5 and a coupon. I spent hours with them on the phone.

You see, they had my itinerary posted online; they also e-mailed me one. I went by the e-mailed verson. I had no reason to think that there would be a difference between the two. Well, there was. They recommended that I print the e-mailed one for travel--though it hadn't the faintest hint that I'd be flying with Delta.

[huffdaddy]

[Travelous Maximus]

Sounds like you had a bad experience. I, however, trust Expedia. It's always there when you need it and it's relatively cheap and very convenient. For example, when I pulled a runner out of Hangook land, I purchased my ticket at 3:30 AM on a monday morning and by 10 AM the same day I was waving goodbye to Inchon. I also got bumped up to business class .

[eamo]

So what did you do when you went to the airport? Did Korean air tell you you weren't booked with them?

[OiGirl]

If the only difference was a difference in airline...how close were you cutting it? Sure, I'd be plenty unhappy if it turned out that, say, a trans-Pacific flight segment were with Delta instead of Korean Air, but I'd still get there...

Edit:
Just did a search for the heck of it. A basic (but competitively overpriced) flight on "Delta" comes up

Flight: XXX
Operated by: KOREAN AIRLINES -- Please check in with KOREAN AIRLINES -- KE81. If checking in at a kiosk, use your name rather than confirmation number.


Flight: XXX
Operated by: COMAIR

I think it's common for Expedia to do this. I'm sure you didn't get instructions like this when you booked your ticket. Next time just go to the airport early enough to make sure you have enough time even if you have messed things up.

[ChuckECheese]

So be there a little early next time.

Expedia.com is great!

[Omkara]

There weren't even Korean Air representatives on duty.

Does this look like it says, "Hey, go to the Delta terminal"?

Fri 30-Mar-07

Las Vegas (McCarran Intl.) to Los Angeles (LAX) 232 mi Korean Air
Depart 9:00 AM Arrive 10:06 AM (373 km) Flight: 7014
Duration: 1h 6m


I first went to the terminal, and the workers there told me there was no KAL flight. I ran around the terminal trying to find someone, anyone, who would give me some insight. The clock was ticking. Finally, someone pointed me to a white phone. I got an automated voice that led me in circles.

Somehow, I found out that there was only one plane leaving the airport to my destination at my time, and that was with Delta, which was in the other terminal. We raced over there (my father was helping me), and I confirmed with a man that I was booked on the flight. It was a different flight and number than the one listed on my e-mailed itinerary. So, I ran in and saw a huge line, and I had only thirty minutes before the plane was to depart.

I ran to the front of the line, and said as best I could my situation, and the lady said that I'd never make it and she pointed me to the phone. By now my father had left because of the parking situation. They pointed me to another phone. So began a long morning of getting my father to return to the airport, talking to representatives, etc., etc.

So, now I've lost a half week's work, have had to pay $75 a re-routing fee, lost the gas money for more than two hours driving, all adding up to more than $500. All Expedia could do was refund me their profit of $5. They gave me a coupon--to be redeemed through their service--for if I need a hotel or a car rental.

I've used expedia before, and was satisfied. The point is, when they make a serious screw up, they don't take care of you.

[Omkara]

[ChuckECheese]

[laogaiguk]

Just for the future, you should always go to the airport 3 hours early if possible. I have travelled with a lot of people, and they are always pushing for 2 hours max, so a couple of times I met people at the airport. There are things you can do, read a book or get breakfast or lunch. What else are you doing for that extra hour back home? Seriously. I would rather have the hour just in case (though I have not needed it yet, luckily). This is all for international flights though. Domestic is a different ballgame.

[Bibbitybop]

OP: Thanks for posting this. You are calling out bad business practices and possibly saving someone from missing their flight in the future.

[Omkara]

Yeah, 3 hours is a good marker. (It was tough to get my dad to get going earlier. . .)

If anyone does use expedia, don't go by the e-mail alone. (I did check by phone, but it was with an automated voice. It matched my e-mail.) Make sure that you check with their site itinerary and call the airport also.

Still, know that expedia won't back you up in a pinch.

[huffdaddy]

[ajgeddes]

Yeah, an hour and a half before for an international flight is not early. I am usually there 3 hours early and a minimum of 2 hours if I am flying from Incheon.

[Omkara]

Look at it this way. You're right. Being there early is wise, just in case there is such an error. But, late or early, an error is still an error. Had there not been that error, there'd have been plenty of time.

It's smart to use a seat belt. But if someone runs a red light and crashes into me, I'm only an idiot for not wearing a seatbelt.

My shortage of time does not negate their obligation to me. I sent my money through them because I trusted that their service was competent.

Moreover, we left early, and overcame three of those things you leave early for: 1) rush hour traffic, 2) an accident, 3) another accident.

And, it was an international flight. From LAX, I was to be off to Seoul.

Expedia should have had information or a link in that e-mail indicating that I should make special contact with the airline.