American Airlines very unaccomodating

[Linda74]

We are flying to Puerto Vallarta tomorrow. We have a 6:30 reservation out of LGA with a very tight connection (40 minutes) in Dallas. I am afraid the snow that is predicted will delay our NY flight and we will miss the flight to PV. There are seats to Dallas available today. I called AA and asked if we paid our hotel could we fly down today, overnight in Dallas, and pick up the flight to PV from there ontime tomorrow. They would not even let us do it for a fee and flights are available today. The kicker is all of the flights to PV are full if we miss ours and we will be in Dallas anyway at our own expense til they can get us there. I know that rules are rules but it seems my solution will save everyone some needless trouble. Delta let us make the switch last year when snow was predicted with no problem. I think I will choose another airline in the future.

[djs]

Often airlines will allow you to do what you're thinking of when bad weather is predicted. Don't give up, check back with AA around lunchtime and see if they've relaxed their policy. Until some decree comes from higher-ups, the agents are pretty much powerless to make changes for you.

What might work against you in changing the flight is that (at least according to weather.com) the weather tomorrow in NYC doesn't look too bad. Most likely it's going to be a late rush hour storm, tapering off in the early AM.

[Eric in McLean]

They won't let you do standby for earlier flight?

And they wouldn't let you change your flight if you're willing to pay the fee to change flights?

That sounds almost silly.

[Pit]

Call back and speak to someone else, if you really want to leave today. They will certainly take your money and change your flight, if seats are available. You could go all the way to PV today, instead of overnighting in DFW.

You will have to pay change fee ($100) plus the difference in fare. Current RT ticket price is around $600 for departure today.

[PStreet1]

Call customer service instead of a ticket agent. I've had some remarkable things done by a customer service agent--even after being told by a ticket person that what I was asking for absolutely couldn't be done.

[Linda74]

We are on one of the earliest flight at 6:30 AM, will try for standby on the 6AM flight.....maybe all will work out....I have already paid $610 for these tickets so would be ok with a slight increase but not a major one.

[johnmfaeth]

Hi Linda,

They are calling for light rain and light snow for overnight and the AM. The real delays kick in when they have to do runway plowing or delays compound themselves later in the day,

My fingers are crossed that you will do well !!!

John

[Eric in McLean]

why can't you try standby for today's flight?

[Linda74]

Keeping our fingers crossed as well...think we will get down there out of NY but getting to PV will be the problem....that is ok....we will make the best of it....as for standby, they said if we choose to go today we are doing a stopover on this fare and could not do it. Each rep has given me different information.

[Linda74]

Also, no standby allowed the day before the flight according to the AA customer rep. Next time, I will be more diligent and not book a flight with a 40 minute connection...in fact only nonstop from now on. We have learned our lesson with snowstorms the last two years. In the end, we will get to Mexico and out of the cold. It will all be worth it.

[Pit]

Originally Posted by Eric in McLean

why can't you try standby for today's flight?

standby = same day (at least with AA, not sure about the others)

[debraxh]

Originally Posted by Linda74

...The kicker is all of the flights to PV are full if we miss ours and we will be in Dallas anyway at our own expense til they can get us there...

If you fail to make the connection why should you bear the expense of staying in Dallas until they can get you on a flight out? It's their responsibility and they should provide meals/transportation/lodging as necessary until you're on your way to PV.

A few years ago a delay in Dallas prevented us from making the last flight out of Miami. They paid for a hotel room (on site), provided meal tickets for dinner and breakfast, and a calling card to notify the resort and our family of the delay. I wasn't happy about it but at least it didn't cost us anything out of pocket.

[Pit]

Originally Posted by debraxh

If you fail to make the connection why should you bear the expense of staying in Dallas until they can get you on a flight out? It's their responsibility and they should provide meals/transportation/lodging as necessary until you're on your way to PV.

A few years ago a delay in Dallas prevented us from making the last flight out of Miami. They paid for a hotel room (on site), provided meal tickets for dinner and breakfast, and a calling card to notify the resort and our family of the delay. I wasn't happy about it but at least it didn't cost us anything out of pocket.

This is not strictly correct. If you read the Contract of Carriage, you'll see that AA (as with all major airlines) does not take responsibility for anything out of their control. They will generally accomodate you as best they can. However, if you are delayed and they can blame it on the weather, they will. Best to have realistic expectations going in.

Good news is you are travelling early in the day, which gives you the best chance for on-time departures, and in the case of a missed connection, the best chances of getting to your destination without an overnight layover. If you do get stuck along the way, just make the best of it. Remember, you are on vacation.

Also, if you end up in a long line of people for rebooking, take out your cell phone and call AA reservations (800-433-7300) while waiting in line. They can usually take care of any rebooking over the phone, long before you get to the front of the line.

[Linda74]

Thanks so much for all of the wonderful advice. We will try to go standby on an earlier flight if this storm doesn't fizzle out. If we are delayed due to weather, we incur all expenses associated with survival til they can get us out. We will hope for the best and make the best of it if we are delayed. I will keep y'all updated!!!!(Just practicing my Texas accent in case!!!)

[debraxh]

Oops, I didn't think about the weather being out of their control so not their responsibility! Sounds like you have a plan and good attitude -- good luck and have a great vacation!!

[Keitht]

Linda

You have raised some interesting issues and with them useful warnings to other travellers.

1. Always allow plenty of time to make the connection between flights. In your own case 40 minutes was always going to be tight and really doesn't factor in any delay on the first leg.
2. Not all tickets can be changed, even with additional payment. Generally the cheaper the ticket the less flexibility. Admittedly with ever increasing fuel costs 'cheap' is comparative.
3. A solution that seems obvious and convenient to the traveller may not be viewed the same way by the carrier.
4. If the carrier can find a way to escape responsibility they will do so.

[3kids4me]

Linda,

Hope everything worked out okay! I understand they didn't get as much snow down in New York as we got up here.

Sharon

[Linda74]

just checking internet and tug now....we had a hairy ride to LGA....but made our connections fine...the flight ahead and after us was cancelled...but ours was not....so it all worked out...but next time to pv....we go nonstop...here now and pv is lovely but more chilly in the AM and PM....one more week and back to reality....but when you are retired, everyday is a vacation day....

[Ann-Marie]

Linda, I'm glad you gave us an update, and got there as planned. Have a great time.

[Blondie]

We just left PV last week and did find it chilly- But- here is my AA story. We were to leave Bos at 5:30 pm Feb 22 and fly to Dallas to stay overnight. Leave Dallas Sat morning and arrive PV 12:45 pm and meet our daugher who was on Delta out of NYC arriving 12:30 pm. We did have snow Fri Feb 22 and I was a wreck. AA called us at 9 am saying they had cancelled our flight. I was concerned that, being a NH school vacay week, we would be ---- out of luck getting another flight as it was busy travel time. They worked with hubby on the phone for an hour getting three of us (hubby, me and our son) out on Sat. End result, we were in PV Sat evening by 9 pm so they are tops in my book. Sorry you had a bad experience.

[Linda74]

Actually, AA did OK by us. Got us there ontime each way. They saved me money by not letting me overnight in Dallas, but had we had an accident on the treacherous ride to NYC that night, I might not feel this way. Anyway, there were really fine.