I am off to Santo Domingo with Royal Airlines and Sunquest!! (OH NO!!!)

J

Jensita

Guest
I just finished reading all the posts regarding everyones problems with Royal Airlines. I would like to propose that we start an email contact group because there is strength in numbers. I have encountered problems with this airline as well in the past and I am hoping that things will go smoothly (ya right!!!!) I will be the one screaming at the counter if they mess up my vacation and I will push and push until both Sunquest and Royal give me a full refund. I hope that others will also take that attitude because if you dont do anything, nothing will change.

Hoping for an excellent flight and vacation, Jennifer.
 
V

Virginia

Guest
Those of you unhappy with Royal might want to switch to American Airlines!
 
J

Jensita

Guest
We are Canadian so the chances of us using an American Airline are slim but as some posts have indicated Canada 3000 is a better airline however when a person books a vacation package there is no choice as to what airline you fly with. The only option is to change tour companies but that is also tedious as the new company may not carry the same hotels. All in all if you are traveling with Sunquest vacations you are stuck with Royal Airlines like it or not.
 
J

James

Guest
Re: If there is anyway to switch to Air Transat..do it!

Air Transat is a decent airline and their service is offered in a large number of tour packages. Two friends of mine from Toronto who met us Nova Scotians in the dr last year flew Royal and had a 12 hour delay when trying to return home. They landed in TO at 2:00 am and were not very impressed. They each received a $100 voucher which is not much consolation considering you can't fly anywhere with Royal for $100. Royal is definelty the bottom of the barrel when it comes to airlines. Just a few months ago I booked a weekend trip to TO with Royal which was to leave Friday and return Sunday. During take-off we blew a tire and had to return to the airport. There were no other flights leaving that evening so they had us wait in the airport until 1:00am, then put us in a hotel overnight. Actually, only those of us who were from out of town got a hotel, those from Halifax had to fend for themselves?? Then they booked us on the first flight out in the morning at 6:00am. Needless to say we were tired and pissed-off but received no appology and no compensation. Oh, and they also gave us a very generous $12 breakfast voucher but the restaurant didn't open until 7:00am so we couldn't use it!!..bone heads.

To be perfectly honest, I don't feel safe with Royal and even though they have very cheap flights I will pay a bit more for quality and safety.
 
J

Jodi

Guest
If you book with Sunquest or Signature vacations to the DR you're stuck with Royal. I just sent a 3 page letter to Royal and attached screen prints of the previous string from this message board to reinforce the fact that problems with Royal are quite frequent. It was cc'd to Signature and Sunquest. You can get to the DR from Toronto by American Airlines, via a change over in Miami. It's really expensive though. Full price is just under $1000 (air only) so even if you get it half price it's more expensive than a direct charter flight.

Good luck with your trip Jensita!
 
T

Tom

Guest
Re: If there is anyway to switch to Air Transat..do it!

PLEASE don't jump all over me for this comment, but it intriques me:

Are these "Airlines" you are complaining about, actually deeply discounted charters as opposed to scheduled carriers?

Tom
 
T

Tom

Guest
I think the comment about using American was tounge in cheek, as their pilots are "striking," causing more difficulties than you could possibly experience with your tours

Tom
 
J

Jodi

Guest
Re: If there is anyway to switch to Air Transat..do it!

These airlines are charters (deeply discounted?...only if you book last minute and then it depends entirely on availability)....these are the ONLY airlines that have direct flights to the DR from Canada.
 
V

Virginia

Guest
Before everyone panics - we flew Royal last spring to Punta Cana and had no problems. We arrived back in Toronto EARLY! (The American Airlines comment was a joke - the pilots have been on strike all week cancelling an untold number of flights. Deal with that situation!
 
J

Jensita

Guest
Thank you to all who have responded to this post and to Jodi for wishing me a safe trip. >> I did not know anything about American airlines being on strike.... :) I feel really bright now!!!! Well anyway I called my agent today and he says that while Royal airlines has a horrible reputation for being late it does have a perfect safety record.... (although some clients on this board may disagree) My trip is booked and paid for and I will have a great time regardless so I thank you all again for responding..... and wish me luck!!! :)

Hasta luego!!!

LA REPUBICA DOMINICANA HERE I COME!!!!!!

Jensita
 
J

James

Guest
Re: All th best Jensita...Peace

Let's just rest with the reality that Royal Airlines is a sub-quality carrier and if it is within your options and pocket book, take the advise from those of us who have had our share of problems with Royal and try to avoid them.

Jodi is so right! I have also looked into flying with alternate carriers and it is expensive and a bit of a hassle to switch in Miami.

Jensita, although Royal has a bad track record, I have also flown on domestic Royal flights in the past with no problems at all and I am sure there are more smooth Royal flights then problem ones. Therefore, the odds are in your favour of having a safe and enjoyable flight.

All the best and if you haven't been to the Dr before, have fun..I'm sure you will love it!!

Peace...James
 
C

Cindy

Guest
Honeymoon??? A Possible Signature/Royal Mess Brewing

I hope this all works out however the word I got today from my travel agent is that the trip I booked last September to get all the early signing bonuses and the exact times we wanted for our honeymoon may not happen the way we paid for.

We booked and paid in full by mid October to leave Ottawa April 11th and return (to Ottawa) April 25th. Although the travel agent wasn't able to confirm the exact flight times when we booked she was able to do so in January. We had the flight numbers and times to and from Puerta Plata. The problem reared its ugly head when we attempted to prebook our seats with Royals new program!!! The flight from Ottawa was no problem but the Royal office was unable to do the return trip because there are no more flights coming into Ottawa after the 11th!!! The local Signature representative confirmed this to my travel agent today. The last word from our travel agent is she is going to go back to Signature to speak the the reps supervisor to pursue this.

What a great end to a rough week. I hope this gets worked out but at this point we don't know how this will turn out. Unfortunately Royal is the exclusive carrier for Signature so we don't have any choice here.
 
J

Jim Hinsch

Guest
re: Getting low air from Toronto

If you can get to NYC, you can get to Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata from there for $248 (or $198 from Miami), depending on dates and availability. This is the fare I was quoted today from Travelocity.

See link below.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM
 
J

Jim Hinsch

Guest
Re: re: Getting low air from Toronto

If the link doesn't work (because of characters that the board removes during posting), try: http://dps1.travelocity.com/fwemindiv.ctl?fw=98080219435155|TRAVELOCITY

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM
 
J

Jodi

Guest
I am aware your AA comment was a joke...we do get the news in Canada.
 
J

Jodi

Guest
Re: re: Getting low air from Toronto

Thanks Jim...still cheaper to take the charters straight out of Toronto though once you figure in the flight to NY or Miami and the exchange. The best I've done so far is $300 Canadian all taxes included..(round trip air only)...That was in June...on a more regular basis I can get it for $350-$400. The options you've suggested are great though if you don't want to be confined to the charter's schedules...you just need to come up with the cash!
 
T

Tom

Guest
Re: re: Getting low air from Toronto

This is not a "slam," but when you are paying less than $200 USD R/T, what do you expect, the bloddy Concorde?

I pay close to $500.00 US out of Maine, $400 if I drive 4 hours to Boston. You don't realize how good you have it.

Tom
 
J

Jodi

Guest
Re: re: Getting low air from Toronto

Just because I book last minute and get a discount doesn't mean most of the people on the plane did. In fact most people would have paid full or close to full price. I take a chance on availability and book only the week before I'm departing. Do I expect the Concorde? Of course not. I do however expect a safe flight that goes out on schedule. I couldn't care less about the food, the movie or anything else. Air Transat and Canada 3000 are the same price and I've had no problems with either of them.
 
C

Cindy

Guest
Ottawa - DR Signature/Royal Travellers Flying After April 11th Should Read This

To anybody booked to fly in or out of Ottawa after April 11th with Signature/Royal to DR --- I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you contact your travel agent and get them to confirm your flight(s).

Not only should they confirm the flight number and time but you should have them call Royal and attempt to prebook your seats (even if you don't really want to prebook and pay the extra for this).

The reason I say this is that Signature has booked us for a return flight on the 25th of April that doesn't exist with Royal. Had we not attempted to prebook our seats we never would have known until who knows when!!!

We are now left with the option of cancelling with a full refund, choosing a new destination (yeah right) or flying in and out of Mirabel.

Just want to forewarn others so they don't get left out to dry like we almost did. (So much for booking early)!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom