Unbelievable! Any thoughts?

There's an airline, Skybus, that started up this past fall. Mostly east coast with some west coast flights. They GUARANTEE the first 10 seats of every flight for $10. I've used them and know it's legit.

So I book a flight to a casino destination - Biloxi - for 10 freakin bucks each way, plus some tax. Less than $50!! I'm frothing about finally being able to afford a trip. Today I get an email I'm pasting in part as follows:

Dear Skybus Customer:

We regret to inform you that as of April 15, 2008 we will be cancelling our service between Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point, NC and Gulfport-Biloxi, MS. We have automatically processed a full refund for your flight schedule listed below. The refund will appear on your card statement within the next 30-60 days. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

If you purchased travel insurance a separate refund will automatically be processed to your credit card. The refund will appear on your card statement within the next 30-60 days.

end.

What a crock a bull this is!! Be forwarned if you use them. Have a back up plan. I've never heard of this before on any other airline. Now, the least expensive flight I can find is $260!!

I'm not sure if I want the airline to fail completely or re-open the route at some future date. They have no customer service phone. Everything is done by email/on line.

I think hey owe me a replacement ticket on another airline with my part being the original fare. I'm sure the contract states otherwise.
Now that my heart is set on it, I may have to suck it up and pay the $260.

Post your remarks. Thanks.

I was shocked because I wasn't familiar with this practice. I hadn't thought about it, but it seems they would cancel future flights - beyond what was already booked - and fulfill existing reservations or offer a credit toward another one of their flights or toward another airline. What should one expect for $10!

They run flights to LA, so I wanted to warn those folk. It would cost them much more if they're ever cancelled without a backup plan (whatever that could be).

I'm over it. Had to vent. Thanks.

Allegiant moves a lot of folks in and out of Laughlin.
They do a lot of junket flights around the USA.
I have taken several long distance junket flights on Allegiant.

They use only pretty old MacDonnel-Douglas (150 seat) jets.
The seats are poorly padded and they do NOT recline at all.
They are incapable of flying from the East Coast to Nevada without refueling in Lincoln, NE The Eastbound trip requires less fuel due to the "prevailing westerlies" so they can go non-stop.

It was okay. I don't hate them, yet, but your description is accurate. Makes you wonder about the maintenance and safety.

Did they cancel existing ticket holders?

No, if I rememebr correctly, they stopped taking reservations for the to-be-cancelled routes.