AA flight change nuisance

[straitman]

Re: AA flight changes

On our recent trip our US flights MCO-DCA-BOS changed a few times but fortunately only by about 15 min total.

 

[DC3]

Re: AA flight changes

I'm not sure whether I should post here, or in the other thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....scussion/aa-flight-change-nuisance-65190.html

I have 12 x AA/US Air flights coming up in a few months, and a couple of others where AA don't fly. There's been a pretty constant bombardment of flight change alerts and I guess they will continue right through while they fine tune their AA/US Air flight schedules.

The changes have varied from 5 minutes to about 40 minutes so far, including changes to changes, and some re-routing. I'm keeping an eye on it anyway.

 

[NM]

Re: AA flight changes

Quite a few of my changes have been different flight numbers and different aircraft type, so its not just re-timing of existing flights.

Note too that when there is a change of flight number or aircraft type there will also be changes to assigned seats.

 

[NM]

Re: AA flight changes

I'm not sure whether I should post here, or in the other thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....scussion/aa-flight-change-nuisance-65190.html

Ahh, that one was in Open Discussion forum, which is why I didn't find it. I have merged the two and left them here in AA forum.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

You are entitled to a full refund as it was a significant change in itinerary and then rebook with whatever airline you want.

I tend to agree with QS above in this case given there is a major 7 hour connection on the return also and ask AA for a full refund as per theire T&Cs.

If it was just a change to the outbound flight I'd probably just overnight in LAX then take the early 0755 flight the next day as the LAX Airport accomm will be cheaper than what you're paying in YVR & it's not like you'd be able to do much that night in YVR arriving late evening.

However with the return sector also having 7 hours and with AA offering a full refund due to the sked change exceeding 2 hours I'd probably get the refund and book direct with AS giving yourself a min 3 hour connection to be safe. Note that on your outbound journey QF won't be able to interline your bags to the AS flight as you'll have separate pnrs & AS are not a member of One World so your bags will be tagged as far as LAX, so after customs you'd need to take your luggage from TBIT around to T6 & checkin again with AS & pay the baggage fee.

There are reports that there are airline checkin counters within TBIT next the bag drop you're probably familiar with (for bags through tagged to the next destination beyond LAX) so it's possible you can checkin for your AS flight there ie drop off your bag & receive your boarding pass however I have never seen these counters open early am when arriving ex QF15 or QF93.

Ex YVR AS will check your bags onto QF even on separate pnrs as long as there is a baggage agreement and the connecting flight is within the next 12 hours. They wil recognise the QF baggage allowance and therefore not charge you the AS checked baggage fee in that direction only ie YVR/xLAX/MEL.

 

[docjames]

Anyone care to point me to the t&c's stating full cash refund as the best I've been offered so far is a 12 month credit voucher "as its a discount / non-refundable J fare" (I class for he record)??

 

[ozbeachbabe]

http://www.aa.com/i18n/agency/Booking_Ticketing/Reaccom/rule_240_80.jsp#cdn

RefundsFlight not Canceled – Length of Flight Time Unacceptable

Travel agents*may not*process a refund for a non-refundable ticket for flights which have not been canceled via their ARC/BSP. If customer requests a refund refer to*www.refunds.aa.com.

REVENUE/PUBLISHED - BULK/OPAQUE Fares follow the guidelines:

A*non-refundable*Revenue/Published or Bulk/Opaque fare may be eligible for*refund by American Airlines only*due to a*flight change depending upon the length*and impact of the change (see grid below)*must be submitted online to American Airlinesprovided the refund request qualifies per the criteria below.

For Bulk Fare ticket refer to*BULK CODES*for ticket qualificationIf the ticket is issued as BT (zero fare ticket) then these refunds are handled by the booking source.Note: If the Schedule Change for a flight results in a "misconnect" and no other alternate flight is available or is unacceptable to the customer, Travel Agents must request a refund on*www.refunds.aa.comFlight Time ChangeAmerican to Refund To VoucherRefund To Original Form Of Payment

If non-stop to connecting flight (No length of Delay required)

-

Yes

0 - 60 minutes

No

Non-Refundable:*No

Refundable with a cancellation fee:*May refund to original form of payment (FOP)*minus the cancellation fee.

61 - 120 minutes

Yes

Non-Refundable:*No

Refundable with a cancellation fee:*May refund to original form of payment (FOP)*minus the cancellation fee.

As a reminder, if customer elects to cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket; all rules and restrictions apply. Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original ticket issuance.

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Refunds

Flight Time Change Beyond Two Hours

REVENUE/PUBLISHED – BULK/OPAQUE Fares

Travel agent may process a non-refundable ticket(s) through normal ARC/BSP processing.

Flight Time ChangeRefund To Original Form Of PaymentTravel Agent to Process*Ticket Refund To Original Form Of*Payment (FOP)

121 minutes or greater

Yes

ARC/BSP Processing Waiver Code:

SC121RFND


RefundsRefund – AA Withdrawal (Discontinuation) From A Market

A refund may be processed via the ARC/IAR REN or BSP Refund Authorization Request template only if AA has*discontinued servicein the market and there are no other AA flights servicing the market.

Note: If AA has*not*discontinued the service in the market the refund requests must follow the guidelines in the above grid.

REVENUE/PUBLISHED – BULK/OPAQUE*Fares follow the guidelines below:

If a customer's American Airlines, American Eagle flight validated on 001 has*discontinued service*in the market and there are no other AA flights servicing the market, travel agents may refund a wholly unused non-refundable ticket(s) through normal ARC/BSP processing.

Refer to*BULK CODES*for ticket qualificationIf the ticket is issued as BT (zero fare ticket) then these refunds are handled by the booking source.Wholly Unused*tickets may be refunded to original form of payment (FOP) all penalty fees are waived.

ARC/IAR REN or BSP Refund Authorization Request template must reflect:

Waiver code:*WITHDRAWAL

Required Documentation for Refunds:

PNR must be documented with the following OSI message:

OSI SCHG WITHDRAWAL/DATENOTE: Date is the original flight date.

NOTE:*If the Revenue/Published ticket has been*EXCH*by AA as an INVOL the refund request must be submitted onwww.refunds.aa.com

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Additional CategoriesSchedule Irregularity (IROPS)

Additional Ticketing/Itinerary Information:

Once a ticket has been reissued per Schedule Change-Rule 240/Schedule Irregularity, any further changes to the itinerary would be subject to the applicable rules of the ticketed fare unless one of the following occurs:

If a customer was protected beyond their original travel time or date and an earlier flight becomes available the customer may be reaccommodated.A subsequent schedule change occurs

Promotional Tickets

For assistance with any questions regarding a schedule change or a schedule irregularity on a promotional ticket, please contact the American Airlines Promotions Desk at 1-800-237-7981.

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Updated December 31, 2014

 

[serfty]

Anyone care to point me to the t&c's stating full cash refund as the best I've been offered so far is a 12 month credit voucher "as its a discount / non-refundable J fare" (I class for he record)??

Same page as my link in post #6:

Flight Time Change Beyond Two Hours

It's a "Refund To Original Form Of Payment".

 

[docjames]

Problem being they haven't discontinued service in that market - just shifted flight times.

So although >120mins applies, there is still service in that market so that "allows" them to give voucher refund, not cash (form of payment) refund.

Basically I'm stuffed and either suck up a day in lax each way or pay to go via DFW in F.


Edit: re-read on pc instead of iPhone and it appears the service discontinuation is a separate segment. Will go back pushing again for refund per this rule and see what happens.

Thanks all.

 

[docjames]

OK saga continues: refund not an option as the fight has moved "only" 2hr (the problem for me being it mis-connects with my inbound QF but AA dont see that as their problem due to the mixed stock booking)

BUT

in light of the new extended service to yvr

QANTAS TO FLY TO VANCOUVER FOR SUMMER AND SKI HOLIDAYS


TA is now negotiating with QF to get on direct flight outbound and we can work out what to do with the AA credit voucher I guess.

 

[NM]

Re: AA flight changes

My upcoming BNE-LAX-DFW-MCO has changed again (about the fourth time) and now the LAX connection is below MCT, with QF arrival at 6:25 and we have been moved onto an AA LAX-DFW departing at 7:58. That's rarely ever going to be achievable, especially arriving in Y. MCT is 2 hours for Int-Dom at LAX.

So I will need to call back for options. Looks like I have a choice of taking US LAX-PHX-MCO with reasonable connections on A321 aircraft. Or AA LAX-MIA-MCO on 777 followed by 757 for the last hop. Since the LAX-MCO is on an F award (full F, not Saver), I am leaning towards going via MIA for the 777 F seats even though the final arrival into MCO is about 45 mins later.

Then again, things could change another 4 times before my flight date!

Called this morning and was offered the MIA connection by the agent. I accepted . Just awaiting re-issue which should happen in next 24 hours. Selected new seats according to FEBO. A LAX-MIA in F on 777 should be a nice transition from Y on QF744 BNE-LAX. Now, which lounge does QFF Gold get to use at LAX when onward journey is AA F? I assume and will expect Business lounge per OneWorld Sapphire, but Flagship would be nice.

 

[serfty]

Re: AA flight changes

Called this morning and was offered the MIA connection by the agent. I accepted . Just awaiting re-issue which should happen in next 24 hours. Selected new seats according to FEBO. A LAX-MIA in F on 777 should be a nice transition from Y on QF744 BNE-LAX. Now, which lounge does QFF Gold get to use at LAX when onward journey is AA F? I assume and will expect Business lounge per OneWorld Sapphire, but Flagship would be nice.

If F on LAX-MIA 3 class service then Flagship ...

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInform...lagshipLounges.jsp?anchorEvent=false&from=Nav

 

[NM]

Re: AA flight changes

If F on LAX-MIA 3 class service then Flagship ...

Flagship Lounge | American Airlines

Yes, its a 3-class service . And 3 hours from arrival at TBI to departure from T4, so should be enough time for shower at T4 FLounge if all on-time. But still not ticketed - still showing on-request. Might need to call back to check on its status.

 

[serfty]

Re: AA flight changes

Also if in F on such a three class service, you can also use "Flagship" red velveted premium entry at LAX and get escorted if you wish through to security - It's a door on the road to the East of AA's T4 premium check-in area.

 

[NM]

Re: AA flight changes

Also if in F on such a three class service, you can also use "Flagship" red velveted premium entry at LAX and get escorted if you wish through to security - It's a door on the road to the East of AA's T4 premium check-in area.

We will certainly be looking out for that. My last few times through LAX T4 security at that time of the morning have been horrendous queues.

We are booked as a AAdvantage Business/First Anytime Award, so it books in F cabin and F class fare bucket.

 

[NM]

Re: AA flight changes

I followed up this morning regarding my changed flights still being "on request" (called AAdvantage Platinum desk in USA). Apparently the routing via MIA on 3-class aircraft takes it to a F class Anytime Award (not the First/Business Class Anytime Award) and that the cost goes from 55K to 95K per passenger. Without prompting, the agent asked if she could put me on hold to discuss with her supervisor. Few mins later she returns saying supervisor is working it out now and should not take much longer. One min later its all sorted and e-ticket email arrives. No additional $$ or miles required.

Agent was extremely pleasant and helpful with an attitude of getting it sorted out, and thanked me for calling to bring it to their attention.

 

[docjames]

Re: AA flight changes

Looks like for me it'll be F via DFW (with a copay to upgrade the LAX-DFW leg).

Stuck with the lousy transit on the return (all other connections leave at earlier times / no benefit to the transits) - time for a (long) In'n'Out run at LAX i guess.

 

[serfty]

Re: AA flight changes

... Few mins later she returns saying supervisor is working it out now and should not take much longer. One min later its all sorted and e-ticket email arrives. No additional $$ or miles required.

Agent was extremely pleasant and helpful with an attitude of getting it sorted out, and thanked me for calling to bring it to their attention.

As should have been the case: Schedule Change - Rule 240/80 - Schedule Irregularity

[TABLE="class: bordered"]
[TR]
[TH]TRAVEL AGENTS MAY REISSUE FOR THE FOLLOWING:[/TH]
[TH]REBOOKING/TICKETING PROCEDURES[/TH]
[TH]ENDORSEMENT BOX/OSI FIELD [/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]American Airlines has a Schedule Change - AA Flights for Premium Fares / UP Fares / BULK Premium Fares

Customer does not accept new itinerary as updated by AA schedule change and requests an alternate time of travel on same day as ticketed:
[/TD]
[TD]Travel Agents may rebook new itinerary:
If the Schedule Change is:
90 minutes or less

For the same travel dates, origination/destination, inventory, fare, and fare basis as originally ticketed.

• May select an alternate flight on AA, US, AA*/US, same inventory, origin/destination.
• If the ticketed inventory is not available, protect in lower cabin.
• May have or add an alternate connecting point to the destination on the original ticket. I.E. JFK PLS may add JFK MIA PLS or if ticketed as DFWBNALGA may rebook as DFWORDLGA

91 minutes and greater
Or the flight changes from a non-stop to a connecting flight
Or Invalid Connection

• If the same inventory is unavailable, may book AA, US, AA*/US in the lowest available inventory in the same cabin as ticketed.
• If upper cabin is not available may protect in lower cabin.

[/TD]
[TD]New ticket must be annotated:
SCHG
This is the only annotated verbiage required on the new ticket and supersedes the required verbiage for the fare ticketed.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[NM]

Re: AA flight changes

As should have been the case:

All well and good, except there were at least two other routings that do have valid MCT at LAX and get me into MCO within the same hour (AA via DFW and US via PHX). So I was expecting they may move me onto one of those two-class services. The routing via DFW is actually the original routing I had booked. Then I saw an earlier departure from LAX-DFW that connected to an earlier arrival into MCO so I called and had them change us to the earlier flights. Then the LAX-DFW flight was removed from the schedule and they new one they booked me onto was what caused the misconnect at LAX. So if they had put us onto the LAX-DFW-MCO combination it would have been back to our original flights, but with an MCO arrival about 40 mins later than via MIA. If I had not made the change to the earlier flights, I would never have been able to get onto the MIA flight without forking out more miles. So the timing of my original timing change worked well to my aadvantage.

Happy with the outcome

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re: AA flight changes

Just found out by looking at Tripit that the times have changed on three upcoming AA pnrs and as such we have 3 AA flight change nuisances.

I asked SO if he'd received any sked change emails from AA in his Gmail and he had and apparently clicked "I accept these changes" or something to that effect without consulting me or even telling me after the fact. :evil:

Can I still call up and tweak the itinerary even if 'we've' agreed to the changes?

One of the pnrs OGG/xDFW/xMIA/SKB now has an earlier departure from DFW, a later departure from MIA so now at least 6 hours in MIA & I would rather chill out in the Centurion Lounge in DFW after a red eye flight than the AC MIA (can't swing a cat) offerings.