Why in the world would I pay for a ticket online when during the seat selection portion, it said the flight is already full?! I asked myself this question when booking a trip three months ahead of time to Copenhagen recently using our credit card points. Booking flights through third-party websites can be a convenient way to secure your travel plans, but occasionally, you might encounter unexpected messages like "flight is full" during the booking process. Don't panic—there are steps you can take to navigate this situation and ensure a good outcome. In this blog post, we'll guide you through what to do if you're faced with the frustrating scenario of seeing information that the flight you want is fully booked.
When buying through a third party like your credit card or a site like Expedia, Kayak, Travelocity, etc. they don't have updated information about seats as this data is airline dependent.
1. Double-check details:
Before you jump to conclusions it's worth verifying the information. Ensure that you've selected the correct dates, times, and destinations. Sometimes, simple errors in these details can lead to misunderstandings about flight availability.
2. Purchase the ticket anyway:
Calling any customer service can be exhausting, so before doing that you can purchase the ticket like I ended up doing with my Copenhagen trip. What I found out is that third-party websites might not always reflect real-time availability. So if you pay for the ticket and wait a few hours for it to be confirmed, you can then check online to see if you can book your seats.
You can rest assured with this option because of the US 24-hour law: According to the Department of Transportation, there is a "customer service rule that requires carriers to hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be canceled within 24 hours without penalty".
This worked out well for me, I waited to get the ticket confirmation and then logged into the airline app and was able to see a seat map and select my seats.
3. Contact the third-party site:
Reach out to the third-party, as either while purchasing your tickets they can confirm that they might not always reflect real-time availability with every airline, and/or if the ticket is already purchased they can tell you when to expect your purchase to be confirmed. On third-party sites, just because you pay for something and get a payment confirmation email, it doesn't necessarily mean your ticket is officially booked with the airline yet. That is happening behind the scenes and can take up to several hours. They may recommend as a next step to contact the airline directly.
Remember that third-party websites might not always reflect real-time availability for the airline.
4. Contact the airline directly:
If you encounter a message indicating that the flight is full while booking through a third-party site, you can reach out to the airline directly. Speak to their customer service representative to confirm the actual availability of seats on that particular flight. They will have the most accurate information but it can definitely be tiring being on hold for a representative.
5. Check other flight options:
If your desired flight is indeed full, don't give up hope. Explore alternative flights on different dates or nearby airports. Being flexible with your travel plans can often lead to discovering equally convenient options.
6. Consider waiting:
Flight availability can change frequently, especially if other passengers cancel or change their plans. If your travel dates are flexible, you might want to wait a bit before making a final decision. Alternatively, you could set up fare alerts to be notified of any changes in availability.
7. Consider booking directly:
While third-party websites offer various benefits, including competitive prices and package deals, booking directly with the airline can sometimes provide more accurate availability information. This can help you avoid unnecessary complications during the booking process.
8. Use multiple platforms:
Utilize multiple third-party platforms to cross-reference flight availability. Different websites might have different inventory levels, and this can increase your chances of finding a seat on the flight you want.
9. Check for errors:
Technology glitches can happen. If you repeatedly encounter messages about a flight being full, consider clearing your browser cache, using a different browser, or even trying a different device. Sometimes, a minor technical issue might be causing the problem.
10. Explore different routes:
If you're set on your destination but the direct flight is full, investigate connecting flights or alternative routes. This can lead to unexpected discoveries and might even enhance your travel experience.
11. Book in advance:
Securing your flight tickets well in advance can increase your chances of getting the seats you want. Popular flights tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons.
While encountering a message about a flight being full can be frustrating, it's not necessarily the end of your travel plans. By staying calm, being flexible, and exploring various options, you can still secure the travel arrangements that suit your preferences and schedule.
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