Changing round trip air ticket?

[SteveL]

I flew from Boston to San Diego this weekend. The ticket back is a commuter flight changing terminals and planes to a direct flight from LAX to Boston. I would much prefer to spend the day in Los Angeles and just board the flight to Boston there. American Airlines is absolutely unwilling to consider that possibility despite the fact that it gives them the opportunity to sell the seats for myself and my companion, then just have me continue on with the flight and seats I've already purchased. They say that the only way to do it is to reissue the LAX-Boston leg as a one-way ticket at a cost of $800.
Has anyone been able to work through this with any airline in those circumstances? Any ideas. We were happy to pay the change fee for the tickets. Thanks Steve

[Timeshare Von]

They are pretty inflexible in that regard. Because it is an entirely different flight itinerary than what you are currently sitting on, they simply won't "let you" change it.

I have a similar issue/problem in that I got FF tickets from Milwaukee to Kona last fall for our upcoming trip in September. When we got the tickets, we were fully expecting to be living in Milwaukee by 9/07. With that not happening, I've tried to change our departing/returning city to Des Moines, and they wouldn't do it without treating it as an entirely new reservation, with all of the seat restriction that come with trying to get a FF ticket a couple of months out.

We were even willing to drive to Mnpls where the connection to Kona is, not using the Milw->Mpls or the return Mpls->Mke . . . and the drive to Minneapolis is about half the time as to Milwaukee. They said if we don't use/take the first leg (Milw->Mpls) the entire ticket would be voided and worthless.

Sometimes their business practices defy good customer service AND prudent financial management.

[Dave M]

Yep. you're stuck. And don't dream of skipping the SAN-LAX flight or your reservation for the LAX-BOS flight will be automatically canceled.

If you do this trip or a similar one again, you can buy your ticket to fly BOS-LAX-SAN going out and to fly only LAX-BOS coming back. It's called an "open-jaw" ticket and the price is normally about the same as if you had also scheduled the SAN-LAX connecting flight.

But as you have seen, once you purchase the ticket and start the trip, changing the travel cities is often impossible.

[brucecz]

Originally Posted by Timeshare Von

They are pretty inflexible in that regard. Because it is an entirely different flight itinerary than what you are currently sitting on, they simply won't "let you" change it.

I have a similar issue/problem in that I got FF tickets from Milwaukee to Kona last fall for our upcoming trip in September. When we got the tickets, we were fully expecting to be living in Milwaukee by 9/07. With that not happening, I've tried to change our departing/returning city to Des Moines, and they wouldn't do it without treating it as an entirely new reservation, with all of the seat restriction that come with trying to get a FF ticket a couple of months out.

We were even willing to drive to Mnpls where the connection to Kona is, not using the Milw->Mpls or the return Mpls->Mke . . . and the drive to Minneapolis is about half the time as to Milwaukee. They said if we don't use/take the first leg (Milw->Mpls) the entire ticket would be voided and worthless.

Sometimes their business practices defy good customer service AND prudent financial management.

We live about 28 miles southwest of the Milwaukee airport and will be flying out of there to Puerto Vallarta on Sept 8 for our anniversery.

American is not one of our favorite airlines to do their unprofessional service and and uncompromising nature after they screw up and cause you to miss a connecting flight. We try to avoid them especially if we have to use Chicago as a connecting flight by to Milwaukee.

Good luck with your relocation to Milwaukee.

Bruce

[camachinist]

Depending on timings and approach, it is possible to fly such a return. The trick is OLCI and flying the legs prior to the reservation going to zero status. I can't speak about AA but UA goes to such status at midnight airport time IME. It is a strategy I would not recommend to an inexperienced flyer or one who isn't conversant with airline reservation systems. I personally know some FT'ers who have done it on United and we've discussed the risks and variables. The only time such would possibly work is on the inbound (not outbound) where all the segments start prior to the originating airport going to zero status.

Generally, I would agree with the advice proferred here, but just wanted to let you know there are other strategies...

Pat

[Pat H]

There is another option as long as no notes were put on your reservation by the agent you spoke to. You flat out lie. You call AA and tell them that you had car trouble, family emergency, etc. and that you will never make it to San Diego for the first flight. You happen to be closer to LAX and are pretty sure that you can make it in time for the connection. Sweetly ask AA if there any way you can do that. If you get a nice agent, they will probably help you out.

[Timeshare Von]

Originally Posted by brucecz

We live about 28 miles southwest of the Milwaukee airport and will be flying out of there to Puerto Vallarta on Sept 8 for our anniversery.

American is not one of our favorite airlines to do their unprofessional service and and uncompromising nature after they screw up and cause you to miss a connecting flight. We try to avoid them especially if we have to use Chicago as a connecting flight by to Milwaukee.

Good luck with your relocation to Milwaukee.

Bruce

Thanks for your well wishes Bruce. I *actually know* where Kansasville is!! It will be great to return "home" to Milwaukee. I have been there quite a bit the past month for interviews. I hope to have something firmed up by the end of the month

Have a wonderful anniversary vacation to Mexico