Reduced fares on American Air

[KathyJed]

I just got off the phone with AA, and or course I'm disappointed. The tix I booked last may for $550 per person ( there are 6 of us) are now $426. Now I didn't really expect any refund, I understand all about the rules of the ticket and the $150 change fee. All I asked was the change my seat assignments. Due to a schedule change, the seats we have are all in the back of the plane - one row of 3 and 3 aisles. I just wanted 3 rows of 2 closer to the front. I was told that I can't do this without paying the premium prices. Grrrrr!

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.
Kathy

[Hoc]

If there really was a schedule change, you didn't tell AA that you accepted the change, then you can cancel your reservations with no penalty. Then you can rebook at the lower fare if you are really sure that such a fare is available for your flights. You might try to book the flights online and then hold them at the fare you want, then cancel your reservations and immediately purchase the held fares at the lower price.

[derb]

HOC's remarks are very interesting, I didn't know this option existed and will give it a try the next time the situation pops up.

With the lowering oil prices that might mean lower air fares in the future, I am also looking into Orbitz guarantee which allows for refunds if someone buys the same flite at a lower price....anyone ever use this guarantee?

[djs]

It also depends on how significant the change was. Did the flight times change by a few minutes or were they more significant? Was there equipment change only where the original seating wouldn't work?

I had one time where JetBlue changed my non-stop from Boston to Oakland to a flight connecting in DC; it was also to depart Boston 4 hours earlier than what I had booked. The reason for this change was that they were no longer flying NS to Oakland from Boston; I had them put me on a NS to San Francisco instead and in addition to there being no fee I got a $150 or so credit due to the fare being lower than what I had booked.

[Hoc]

Originally Posted by djs

It also depends on how significant the change was.

Not really. AA has pretty much allowed you to cancel a reservation for any change, no matter how insignificant.

[Carol C]

Am I missing something? I didn't see where the original poster said there was a communique to them about any change in schedule. I read it to mean she was looking at pricing and noticed it has gone down. You can't expect refunds or lower pricing if your schedule hasn't been changed or if you haven't been inconvenienced in some way.

[Joyce]

I can only speak to Delta, but when the price goes down, they will issue a voucher for the difference to be used on a future flight. It is usually good for a year.

[thomasclark]

hi
HOC's remarks are very interesting, I didn't know this option existed and will give it a try the next time the situation pops up.
its great news. thanks for sharing.

[camachinist]

As a point of reference, an online refare on UA (this is where the same exact O&D and routing is utilized) will result in a refund to orginal form of payment with no fee. Essentially, this means if you can get the system to cough up a lower price for the exact same reservation, you can get a refund. My understanding is it doesn't have to book into the same fare bucket. A friend, at my suggestion, recentely refared their Hawaii tickets very close-in when UA had a spot sale and was able to successfully reissue their tickets online with a refund to their CC.

Each carriers policies are different. Pays to read the fine print. If you call and don't get the answer you think is right (my friend did this), hang up and call again (my advice to her)

Expect lower prices and spot sales. For people who have money to travel, now is a good time

Pat

[pointsjunkie]

jetblue will put a credit in your account if the price goes down. i had over $600 in my account last year. i check the flights regularly and they adjust it everytime.

[Carrillo]

Yeah! I know This...I heard this news from my uncle , hmmm thats gud . i think American air got a bulk of cash thats y reduce the fares Just a joke!

[Hoc]

Originally Posted by Carol C

Am I missing something? I didn't see where the original poster said there was a communique to them about any change in schedule.

Originally Posted by KathyJed

. . . Due to a schedule change, the seats we have are all in the back of the plane - one row of 3 and 3 aisles. . . .

I will often take advantage of a schedule change, no matter how insignificant, to change my connecting flight to a direct flight that would have been more expensive at the time of purchase. But, in addition, AA's frequent schedule changes often allow you to get a lower fare in the future without charge if the fares go down. You just need to know not to accept the change at the time you find out about it.

[susiequeve]

No schedule change but our fares to Aruba for next July went down $60 per ticket and AA told me there was nothing they could do for me. No credit voucher, nothing. Each ticket would have to go down over $150 for it to be worthwhile, since that is the amount they charge to the change ticket.

[gorevs9]

Originally Posted by Joyce

I can only speak to Delta, but when the price goes down, they will issue a voucher for the difference to be used on a future flight. It is usually good for a year.

Originally Posted by pointsjunkie

jetblue will put a credit in your account if the price goes down. i had over $600 in my account last year. i check the flights regularly and they adjust it everytime.

Southwest will also credit your account. I changed twice within a few days on a ticket to FL on Christmas night.