Dec 12, 2021

legal scamming by airlines

I bought a one-way ticket through Alaska Airlines the other day but soon realized I need to change it but when I tried, it didn't work. I contacted the customer service and here is my chat with them. Airlines like Alaska are using customer's vulnerability to sell cheaper tickets within a limited window of time for travel (which they know that often people can't make it) and if costumers want to change, they can't because it is designed to ensnare customers for profit. Let's say you bought a ticket for Saturday but on two days into your flight, your house is obliterated in a tornado or flooding and you can't travel, you contact Alaska Airlines to change or refund, you can't change it and you can't be refunded either, your money is gone because they come up with jargons for their deceptive scheme to swindle you. This is thievery but in a capitalist world like the US, this is a good mechanism of harvesting profits (capitalist thieves call it smart business), which I think should be called legal defrauding.  

Lisa
 
02:47 pm
Hi this is Lisa in Seattle, How can I help you?
dav
 
02:48 pm
Hi Lisa, how are you?
i need to cancel my flight, i wasn't able to cancel it myself
i'd appreciate if you can help
Lisa
 
02:48 pm
What is the confirmation code? I can take a look.
dav
 
02:49 pm
here it is
LVHXBP
Lisa
 
02:54 pm
This Alaska flight is a saver fare ticket. This can only be canceled in the first 24 hours of purchase otherwise it is a use the ticket or forfeit the ticket amount. This will not be able to be cancelled if not flying then you will loose the value of this ticket.
dav
 
02:54 pm
that is a shame
i'm a student
how can that be possible
Lisa
 
02:56 pm
I am sorry this is our most restricted ticket. There is not a way to get the credit back. It will be flying or loose the ticket amount. In order to not have this again it will be choosing our main cabin fare ticket for some flexibility in your travel plans.
dav
 
03:00 pm
that is not right! that is literally theft. why do you use consumer's vulnerability to scam for profit?
Lisa
 
03:02 pm
When making the reservation the fare rules are no changes or cancelation. You are outside of that time. You agreed to these terms at time of check out. There are no change or cancelation can be made to this reservation.
dav
 
03:03 pm
i mean why do you create such vulnerability to your customer in the first place?
Lisa
 
03:06 pm
This is a restricted ticket. I am sorry this is not the answer you wanted to hear. At this time we will not be canceling the reservation due to the restrictions of your ticket. If there is nothing else travel related. Thanks for choosing Alaska. Have a great day.

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