US Airways, JetBlue offer help to Skybus passengers
Another one bites the dust. Discounter Skybus shut down today and plans to file for bankruptcy protection next week, croaked by the rocketing cost of jet fuel and the crumbling economy.
Dearly departed Skybus launched just last year and made a splash by offering 10 seats, each for $10, on every flight. They saved money by charging for EVERYTHING: water, checked bags, pillows. They also shaved costs by flying into places that don't get used much--or at all (but are sort of close to places where you might want to be). In New England, they offered a "Boston" option, which meant you were flying out of and into Portsmouth, N.H. They also flew from "Hartford" (Chicopee, Mass., really). From either, you could get to Greensboro, N.C., and Columbus, Ohio; from "Boston" you could also go to the Fort Myers and Jacksonville areas in Florida.
OK, but that's ancient history. You're holding tickets. What to do? You have a couple of choices. First you can try to chase your credit card company for a refund. And I wish you good luck with that.
Your other option is to grab the standby lifelines being thrown out by US Airways or JetBlue.
US Airways can help you if you happen to be flying to Greensboro or Columbus, Ohio. They'll give you a standby seat for $50.
JetBlue's lifeline is a bit heftier. First, they might be able to give you a lift if you're headed to one of the cities that both JetBlue and Skybus served: Richmond, Va., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Burbank and Oakland, Calif., plus airports near Long Beach and San Francisco. If so, they will give you a standby seat for $50.
Beyond that, JetBlue is also offering help for airports within 100 miles of Skybus destinations: Chicago O'Hare instead of Gary, Ind., and Milwaukee; Charlotte, N.C., in place of Greensboro; New York Kennedy instead of Newburgh, N.Y.; New Orleans instead of Gulfport-Biloxi, Miss.; Fort Myers, Fla., instead of Punta Gorda, Fla.; and Jacksonville, Fla., instead of St. Augustine, Fla.
Now here comes the fine print. Space is limited; you have to buy your standby tickets by calling US Airways at 800-428-4322 or JetBlue 800-538-2583; they are $50 per person per flight plus taxes and fees (JetBlue is promising to take SkyBus crew members for $10); show proof of Skybus purchase (e-ticket, receipt, itinerary card, real ticket, you get the drift) at check-in; and travel must be completed by April 11 for US Airways and April 13 for JetBlue.
Neither is a fabulous deal, but you're not exactly in a position to bargain.
If it makes you feel any better you are not alone: It's been a tough week for airlines, especially discounters. ATA shut down Thursday, and Aloha Airlines made its last flight Tuesday.
Buckle your seat belts and return your tray tables to the upright position because the ride is going to be bumpy for a while. All the airlines are getting squeezed big time. Watch for fewer flight options, higher fares and fees, and more closures and mergers before it's all done.
I bought tickets for Greensboro NC on April 2nd, and they took the money from my account on April 4th, the day they closed down!!! This should have been known to the company on the day I made my reservations, but I was never told the company was in trouble or thinking about filing for bankrupsey protection. There is no way that on Friday April 4th, when the money was taken from my account that they did not know they would be shutting down and cancelling all flights, now I have to file a letter with my bank to try and get my money back, $519.60!!!! There is no guarantee that I will get my money back!!! This is not a responsibility that should fall on the banks or credit card companies, this was and is soley the responsibility of Skybus!!! They should not be telling people to call their credit card companies to try and get a refund, any reservations they took after knowing they would be closing down should be refunded by them!!! When I contacted my bank I was informed that I was not the first one this morning that had called to see what their options where. There are alot of people that have booked flights that now have to fight to get their money back. I hope that the federal government recognizes this and does something about it. Skybus should be held responsible for taking money from people when they knew they were in financial jepardy!!! and to take money from someones account they day the shut down is totally unacceptable!!! That is nothing short of theift!!!!
hmmm....
yeah, the government needs to fix this...and oh yeah...I want lower taxes.
buyer beware...YOU chose to fly a cut-rate brand new arline. manage YOUR expectations, be a grown-up and quit crying. the government, c'mon.
"people have to fight to get their money back". Its YOUR money, do YOUR job.
That is why you always pay with a credit card.. I was supposed to fly Skybus on Friday April 11th... I started looking for other flights soon as i heard. I found one for 260.00 more than i wanted to pay but it is cheap considering that i am traveling in less than 6 day. I already called my credit card company and they are going to refund me my money and they will in turn file a claim to get paid by Skybus
Always buy airline tickets with Amex. Amex returned my money instantly upon calling them. Unfortunaley I also purchased skybus tickets with my ING direct debit card, they are attempting a chargeback but will not guarantee I will see my money back.
I paid for Skybus tickets in February with by fake Visa (debit) card. I filled out all the paperwork with my bank (Regions Bank) on Monday. This afternoon, I got a credit for the full amount of my ticket purchase! By law, banks are not required to do this, so my bank must be pretty good. Fill out the paperwork with your bank if you paid with a Check Card. It can hurt.
I purchases my tickets back at the beginning of Febuary for travel in June.
I paid with Bank of America..Debit Card.
Since it's past 60 days since I bought the ticket they said my claim will probably be rejected by the bank...they submitted it anyway and refunded my money...but they said the bank will just take it back when my claim is denied :(
They will only approve claims for purchases made during the last60 days!
I need a copy of a ticket I bought from U. S. Airways back in Feb. 2008 for a trip from SFO to Wilmington N. C. I had to change planes in Charlotte. N. C.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
browse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com