Price Gouging During Irma

TenderMercies · ‎06-03-2017

Earlier today, I saw several images and videos of 7-Eleven stores charging $28 for bottled water in Florida. I was shocked and angered to see how people would want to take advantage of victims of a tragedy. Then I had to deal with a similar situation on my end.

I have an employee who is currently working in my city, but is only here on a temporary basis. He lives permanently in NYC. His job with me is ending on Monday, and instead of booking him on a plane ticket back home to NYC, he had asked me to book him to Miami, FL instead, so he could visit his family before returning home to NYC. I booked this flight on American Airlines about 3 months ago. Today, I went to try to see if I could change his plane ticket to go directly home to NYC instead of heading to Miami. The AA website gave several stipulations under which you could change the plane ticket due to Irma without having to pay a $200 change fee. I met all of these stipulations except one. That stipulation stated that my new destination had to be within 600 miles of the original one. Really? What airport is going to be safe and available within 600 miles of Miami on Monday? NOWHERE! I understand how I would have to pay the difference of the new price of the ticket, taxes, etc., but it is outrageous to not waive that change fee considering the circumstances. Also, if I wanted to just book him on a one way ticket from my city to NYC, which would normally cost around $200, it now costs $700. I spend about 50K on plane tickets for my company every year. Never again through American Airlines.

Lilysmom · ‎03-09-2010

@TenderMercies, remember these businesses after Irma. Lifetime boycott. Just incredibly poor judgment on their part. Karma will get them. LM

QVCkitty1 · ‎05-23-2015

How can you live with yourself when you do something that awful ??

" You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

@TenderMercies Did you actually call them? I have had a lot of success in talking to humans who can usually waive policy no questions asked in an extreme circumstance. I've had airlines bend rules for me twice and once was flying out of NYC when Sandy was coming to get me.

That 600 mile rule is probably so you don't book a domestic flight to Miami and then pay the $200 to instead go to Japan which costs way more than a change fee. It keeps the thieves honest and in line with the rest of us.

BalletBabe · ‎03-05-2011

PLEASE REPORT THESE PEOPLE. Plese pray for all of us that live here in Florida!

adelle38 · ‎03-09-2010

I agree. Calling is a much better option in these circumstances.

It's always a victory for me when I remember why I entered a room.

TenderMercies · ‎06-03-2017

I called them right after I wrote this post. Surprisingly, it took less than 10 seconds to get a real person on the phone. After being very calm and speaking to three different people, I eventually unleashed the beast on a supervisor. The outcome was they offerred me a one time change fee for no cost, so I changed the flight for nothing, including the difference of the price of the new ticket. It's a shame you have to go through two levels of management and raise your voice in order to get results, but there you have it. American Airlines eventually came through. Thanks for letting me vent, everyone!

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

Good for you @TenderMercies!

But really AA? In the midst of a hurricane? I mean it's not like Miami is on the fence or anything at this point. They are getting a direct hit.

The last time I called Delta, Denver had a forecast of 15 inches and I said I'd rather not travel in a blizzard and get stuck there so I can't get home. I got a voucher for my plane fare good for a year.

AA, take notes.

Perkup · ‎03-09-2010

I've been in the New Orleans area for many years now. (Wish that wasn't the case) Here through Katrina and many other storms. None of them good.

Is anyone really surprised that there is price gouging? The key is to hit the stores before they hit their price changes. You have to plan ahead. It's hurricane season. You keep your gas tanks full. Fill up your extra cans for generators. You buy bottled water ahead of time and have it on hand from early August. You buy non-perishable foods and keep your meds well stocked. Also pet needs. If no storms come, you're still good as you will eventually use everything. If one comes, you are way ahead of the crowds that deplete the gas station tanks and the store shelves. You beat the price gougers at their own game.

We know when August comes that so does so does hurricane season.Can'thelp you with American Airlines, but I support you in avoiding them in the future.