MetaChat - I think I just got free airplane tickets

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24 August 2006

I think I just got free airplane tickets and I'm not sure if I should point it out to the airline.→[More:]

On Monday I bought two round-trip tickets to two destinations in central Europe, for a total cost of about $450. They charged my debit card for the amount right after I bought the tickets, but the charge had vanished the next day and the money was still in my account.

Today I got paper tickets, with a receipt attached, for one of those trips, and I have an e-ticket and receipt in my inbox for the other trip. I've checked and both tickets are still marked "confirmed" in their booking system.

Since I have no ethical objections to taking advantage of a large corporation's mistake in my favour, I'm disinclined to point it out to them. But if they realize that they didn't get paid, through no fault of mine, will they cancel the tickets? Or just charge me for real? Could this be a bank mistake? What should I do?

post by: cmonkey at: 18:25 | 15 comments

Astounding. I can't take a moral argument seriously from any of you who jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of an honest mistake. I don't want to hear ever again about greedy corporations or crooked politicians. You people just showed that you're willing to turn a blind eye when it is to your benefit. How does that make you any different from those you rail against?

posted by pieisexactlythree 24 August | 18:43

We have tickets.

posted by dg 24 August | 18:48

Gotta give props to pie, and I'd have said the same thing a year or so ago.

But after the last time I got a dirty look from a cashier for correcting her mistake in my favor, I decided my life's too short for me to look out for corporations. They screw us every chance they get, and employ legions of tricky lawyers and slimy PR men and amoral advertising copywriters to do it.

They don't correct their mistakes when those mistakes favor them. I won't cheat them, but if they drop the ball, it's not my mistake, they're not paying me to, and it's not my responsibility to, fix it.

posted by orthogonality 24 August | 18:50

cmonkey, it's likely they'll realize the mistake (whether that's the bank or the airline) and fix it; I certainly wouldn't spend that money any time soon just in case.

posted by occhiblu 24 August | 18:52

orthogonality

posted by pieisexactlythree 24 August | 18:58

Yeah, I'm totally aware that they might suddenly push the charge through, and that's fine, I'll keep the cash around.

I just don't understand how firm an airline ticket confirmation is. Should they decide to revoke the ticket, do they have to notify me? Or is a "Surprise! You're stranded in Warsaw!" kind of thing?

posted by cmonkey 24 August | 19:00

If it were me, I'd just make sure to show up very early at the airport for the flights. Once you're checked in, you're fine, and you certainly don't want to give them any reason (like checking in late) to bump you off the flight.

posted by occhiblu 24 August | 19:04

Look at the fine print - they can revoke the ticket any time, for any reason (or for no reason)and they don't have to notify you. Balance the chance of getting away with not paying for the ticket (pretty good, I expect) and the chances of ending up stranded and ending up paying more for a last-minute ticket (probably pretty slim). Weigh up the potential consequences against the potential gain and there is your answer.

posted by dg 24 August | 19:04

cmonkey - I think it's most likely that they'll just correct their mistake and debit the money at some undetermined future point.

posted by muddgirl 24 August | 19:20

I just don't understand how firm an airline ticket confirmation is.

at least as firm as a hotel room confirmation.

posted by quonsar 24 August | 19:48

I'd like to thank pie and dg for pulling off that joke perfectly.

And yeah, they're probably figure it out eventually. I wouldn't say anything though.

posted by court siem 24 August | 19:56

*high-fives pie*

posted by dg 24 August | 20:22

I think you are all ignoring something here. HOW THE FUCK did you get TWO international tickets for $450?!

It's going to cost me over $900 to fly to fucking Minnesota with my daughter.

posted by mike9322 25 August | 06:55

They aren't international; they're Prague->Warsaw and Warsaw->Vilnius.

Damn, international flights for $225 would be pretty great, though.

posted by cmonkey 25 August | 08:15

Oh. Well, good. Heh.

posted by mike9322 25 August | 08:25

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