Delta Airlines has reversed its decision — after repeated Herald inquiries — to deny a man planning a family vacation to Disneyland the rock-bottom fare he booked through Orbitz on Thursday due to a systemwide web glitch that also offered $68 Hub-to-Hawaii round-trip flights.
"I'm not so frustrated by losing the tickets, just more by the way they're treating me," said Abel Feldhamer of Long Island, N.Y., when he first contacted the Herald yesterday. "They're getting good press proclaiming they're honoring these fares when they're slapping some people in the face."
Feldhamer thought he had snagged six round-trip tickets using Orbitz between New York City and Los Angeles for a total of $152.46 during a Delta.com malfunction Thursday.
"Your flight and seats are confirmed," read an email from Orbitz. A Delta agent confirmed his reservation and seat selection over the phone. His credit card was even charged.
But five hours later — after he had booked a rental car and as his wife shopped for hotels — an Orbitz email arrived with the bad news.
"Due to limited availability, the airline was not able to confirm the flights you requested. As a result no tickets have been issued for this trip."
Feldhamer then called customer support lines for Orbitz and Delta — at one point even looping both in for a conference call. The Orbitz rep blamed Delta, which in turn claimed no tickets had ever been issued.
Feldhamer even filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
An Orbitz spokesman did not return a call or email from the Herald yesterday.
Delta spokeswoman Jennifer Martin yesterday afternoon insisted the airline would honor all incorrect fares "regardless of the channel booked" and urged people to call customer support if their booking agent incorrectly canceled the deal.
But moments later, Feldhamer received an email from Delta rep Sheri Lee, who wrote: "Upon review of your Record Locator ... it appears your purchase was not completed."
But when confronted with the seemingly conflicting messages, Delta spokeswoman Martin told the Herald the Feldhamer family would be able to take the Disneyland vacation after all.
"This customer is being contacted momentarily by Delta's Customer Care to correct this situation," said Martin. "The tickets they purchased will be honored."