Traveling to California!

It has been crazy for me these couple of weeks. I feel like I have completed nothing and it is driving me crazy.

My mother has health issues and may need gallbladder surgery. She is still not sure what is wrong with her. Since she speaks very little English, it is up to me to translate for her. I have not spoken to her doctor yet, but it seems that she has different issues with her health. She wants me to fly to California to be with her in case there is need for surgery, whether it’s for her gallbladder or not.

I recently found out that some but not all airlines offer military discounts. Of course, I am going to take advantage of this incentive for being a dependent. With the economy the way it is, I want to save as much money as possible!

I had purchased a ticket on Thursday to leave Saturday, July 18, 2009. The price was “ok” at a cost of $201.20 for a one-way trip. Unfortunately, I was not able to make the flight and called to reschedule. I found out the ticket I purchased was not a military fare. On top of that, the representative told me that I had missed the two-day wait on canceling/rescheduling a ticket and will have to pay a $150.00 administrative fee. You can imagine my eyes getting wide and the overwhelming feeling of disappointment.

I have never flown with Delta Airlines, which by the way is now merging with Northwest Airlines. This will be my first and last time I will ever fly with them again. My preferred airline company is Southwest Airlines. I have flown with them for the past 4 years of my life and have been pleased with their service. They do not charge a baggage fee or a cancelation fee (to a certain extent but nowhere near the two-day wait period Delta has). Sure, you don’t get an assigned seat, but I don’t mind where I sit on the plain as long as I get to my destination unharmed.

Anyway, I was able to get a cheaper flight for Tuesday at the military fare, which was a difference of $56.00. The representative tells me that I would receive a refund of $20.00 for the ticketing fee, which military and their dependents do not have to pay, plus $36.00 that I overpaid because I was deceived into believing I was paying for the military fare.

Sunday rolls around and I get a confirmation e-mail from Delta. The e-mail confirms a refund to my checking account for the ticketing fee but not the difference of the ticket. I called Delta again and asked to speak to a manager. Sadly, the manager was not able to issue me a refund. I asked for the corporate number because I was not going to lay flat even for $36.00. I finally got a hold of someone today but I am still unsure whether to believe I will receive the reimbursement or not. Something tells me that I will have to call them sometime this week.

I tried to cram as much as possible into my luggage but remain under the 50lb weight limit to avoid paying more than the standard $15.00 fee for the first suitcase. For now, I pray and hope I have a safe flight but no matter how smooth the ride may be, I am never going to fly with them again!