By COLlive reporter
As countries around the world are restricting travel and many airlines canceling flights due to the rapid spread of coronavirus, one airline is making it harder for consumers already disappointed about missed travel.
A group of travelers scheduled to depart from Los Angeles Sunday to participate in the JLI Land and the Spirit Trip has been attempting to cancel their flights, after the trip was canceled Friday due to the coronavirus spread in the country as reported on COLlive.com.
But as of 2:30 am Saturday night, they were unsuccessful in doing so, due to what they said are “antiquated ticket policies.”
“As if the heartbreak and disappointment of not being able to travel were not enough, we were in for a rude awakening when trying to cancel our flights,” Rabbi S. told COLlive. “El Al is insisting that each participant pay $275 to cancel or reschedule their flight. I called multiple times, waited on hold endlessly, only to be told that as long as the flight itself has not been canceled, El Al will not waive any fees.”
In contrast, Rabbi S. says, “some of our group were scheduled to travel to Poland. We called United and Delta Airlines, and within 3 minutes the flights were canceled and all fees waived,” he said.
On El Al’s website, a page titled “Coronavirus – Policy and Updates,” states that a policy of “Flexibility in changes for purchased flight tickets” from US/Canada, Europe/Johannesburg and other countries, includes no change or handling fees, however, ticket price differences are to be paid and cancelations are subject to flight ticket terms and conditions.
“All the media are reporting quarantine regulations, Ben Gurion Airport is empty, the government of Israel is literally begging people not to visit, museums and attractions are canceling their tours, and El Al continues to hide behind their antiquated ticket policies,” Rabbi S. says. “It feels like El Al is punishing Americans,” he says.
Rabbi S. says his main concern, for now, is that for some of their party who were scheduled to depart Sunday morning, the tickets must be canceled before that or they will be considered a “no show” and will forfeit the entire ticket.
“I honestly feel bad for their reservation agents. They are sweet and they are agreeing with us that their company’s policies are utterly ridiculous,” Rabbi S. says.
“But trying to get someone to talk to at El AL, let alone trying to get a coherent and respectful answer has proven next to impossible.
“It’s embarrassing and hurtful and certainly doesn’t ingratiate El Al with potential travelers. They may offer the only non-stop to Israel but their lack of customer service and inflexibility in these trying times place them eons behind US Airlines,” Rabbi S. said.
Try to make a change to Jet blue that was purchased before the outbreak and you will get the same treatment.
Sorry, if you bought it in the last two weeks.your in luck but if you pre purchased…. good luck!
yup.me too 🙁
And fyi no airlines are offering refunds. At most, they are waiving change fees but not difference in fare. At some scenarios, they’ll offer to cancel the ticket and give u travel credit to use within the year and only for the traveler.
You need to relax. Not everyone owes you something. A reasonable fee is fine and is allowed. And should note, airlines are hurting financially much more then travelers.
It seems to me that you are very pro corporate capitalism. (Ehich is not the capitalism the USA was meant to be). These corporations are taking (stealing) large sums of money amid an emergency. (Like being segregated for pesach seder)..
And me- the small individual has no right to cancel and get my money back?
Corporate greed. The corporations should be regulated in order not to act like pigs.
Rabbi better to stay at home hibernate, ti it is all over , if anyone left.
Even if it costs more.
This is always the case. Big picture, people. Stop complaining.
I’m 71 year old cancer surviver.
Two years saved money to visit my sister in Israel.
My health is not allow me to realize my trip.
El-Al was ignored to my medical proof.
On March 4,2020 I have been cancelled my ticket with fee reduction of $270.00
Today, more than 50 DAYS after cancellation date.
NO REFUND.
And no people to talk about MY MONEY.