Kudos to Jet Blue Airlines

So, I have to admit, I haven't always had totally warm fuzzies towards JB and they were still my second favorite airline servicing St. Maarten after AA.

That was before I called them just now about two trips I had scheduled to the island. In a matter of fifteen minutes, both trips were cancelled, all monies refunded to my credit cards, and no cancellation fees were charged and best of all, they returned my JB points to my account with no fees associated. The points are already in my bank.

And on top of that, and this is the really exceptional part to me, while we were waiting to get it all done, the reservation specialist I was dealing with told me they sent an empty plane down this morning with water and supplies for the island ~ and ~ they airlifted 100 people back to NYAT NO CHARGE. They called it humanitarian aid.

Needless to say, I now have a new favorite and best airline to use whenever and wherever possible.

I just had an unproductive half hour on the phone with Jet Blue for our October 28th flights.

Unlike you, there is no direct from the DC area. So we had to connect both ways in San Juan. Now granted, this was purchased THROUGH JET BLUE, but they use Seaborne for those San Juan legs.

They offered to put a Jet Blue credit in my account for a year. I don't know that we will travel on JB at all in the next year, so she went to speak with a supervisor.

Supervisor said NO REFUND, and NO CREDIT either because of the Seaborne issue. WTF?!!! I am angry. She agrees with me that the flights will MAYBE be cancelled if the island closes to commercial aircraft and tourists. Only THEN, if the flight is cancelled will I receive a refund.

Unable to make other plans now, as $$ is tied up.

This is all so crazy.

Our flights were n/s with both airlines but JB just couldn't have been anymore accommodating, whereas AA wouldn't budge on the mileage reinstatement fee even after I cited other instances where it had been done complete with record locator numbers. And of course, minutes after I hung up I read someone had been allowed to do exactly that with no fees attached.

But at least on our revenue tickets for March, AA did allow us to change them to another island without a fee, so I guess I should be thankful for that.

And btw, thanks again to both couples who were nice enough to help me out.

Pat, when you say "both airlines" do you mean a non-stop included Seaborne?

Leona,

No, we were flying AA down for both trips; one was a connection through Charlotte on miles and the other n/s - on revenue tix. When AA offers the n/s down it's an earlier flight ergo arrival in SXM.

Coming home both trips were n/ on JB - one on points and the other trip on revenue. We really like the earlier AA arrivals and we love JBs T5 dedicated customs hall.

Seaborne didn't enter into our plans at all. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Delta did the same thing on Tuesday with bringing supplies to the island and evacuating people out.

Hi Beach Kitten

I would try again.

One of the legs of one of our trips was through Seaborne and I got credit for that trip. Our trips were about Nov 1 2017 and March 1 2018 and I got credit for both trips.

The funds have already been credited to my credit card.

I elected to get the "More space" upgrade on the return flight in March and I haven't received the credit for that so I'll give them another call. But that is small in comparison to what I've already received back.

Good luck

ted

HI Ted, thanks for the info.

Are you saying you got a REFUND for the whole trip, or just a JET BLUE CREDIT for the Seaborne portion?

I see no way the island will be ready for visitors by 10/28. And it's not a place I want to be for two weeks either.

I agree I called to cancel our oct 30 return nov15 on Jet Blue it took all of 10 min agent was unbelievable I changed to Jet Blue 4 years ago . I had used AA for ever the last 10 years found the to hard to work with 1 year I had to use 150,000 mile for my wife and I to go to SXM Iin November that was the last flight on AA and going through Miami is like having needles stuck eyes the worst place for customs they make you feel like a heard of cattle . Go Jet blue

Thank you for posting that information. I went on Jet Blue and was able to cancel my April flight with a full refund. Customer Service person was outstanding. Thanks again Pat

Ted our "more leg room" upgrades have already been credited to the card I used to charge for our 10/24 trip. However, the airfare was issued to our travel bank. I went online to cancel which probably had a lot to do with not getting a refund of the airfare to our credit card. I'm ok with it. We plan God willing to return next year same timeframe.

Hi Beach Kitten

The refund went to my credit card. It didn't take longer than a few days to show up.

Ted

I'm happy for those of you able to get those refunds. I am going to attempt a credit card dispute or something. There is nothing on the island functional for us. I cannot imagine that the flight won't be cancelled.

Still not having luck today, despite honey dripping from my tongue.

Their posted policy regarding Irma:

St. Maarten (SXM)
Customers traveling Tuesday, September 5, 2017 through Tuesday, May 1, 2018 to/from the following city must rebook/change by Sunday, October 15, 2017 for travel through Tuesday, May 1, 2018:
St. Maarten / St. Martin (SXM)
Original travel must have been booked on or before Sunday, September 10, 2017. JetBlue will waive the change fee for customers traveling to/from St. Maarten (SXM) wishing to change their travel to different city pairs. Difference in fare will apply.

Just no change fees. Nothing about refunds.

FINALLY got the full refund and this is resolved. A wonderful supervisor handled it. She was really great.

I even asked how to request a pet evacuation for 50 dogs and 50 cats that were left by evacuees. They have placed to come to in the US and Canada...just need a way out.

We had tickets for seven people for February. My husband called friday and they said no change fee, but vouchers good for one year. He tried to speack to a supervisor, but got disconnected. He called again at 9pm spoke to a lovely rep who immediately refunded all seven tickets. I guess it matters who answers the phone. We are heartsick about the Island as we have been going there every year since 1982. Hopefully we can be back in 2019.