American Airlines questions

[[email protected]]

So this weekend I got another email from AA changing my flight schedules for yet a 3rd time! The 1st two times were changes on the PHL to SJO portion and not too much of a big deal - we were able to switch around and still make our local CR flight fine. This time they changed the SJO - PHL portion and it is so yucky - now we have to hang around in the SJO airport for almost 5 hours before our flight to MIA (not too bad because SJO actually has a decent 1st class lounge and a smoking lounge) and then when we get to MIA we have to wait around for 3 hours for our flight to PHL and it is a very late flight - do not get into PHL until almost 2am - originally we were supposed to arrive in PHL at 11:30 which was fine - I called AA and asked them why they keep changing and the woman I spoke with was actually funny and said it was below her pay grade but probably had something to do with cost saving - I was originally supposed to leave MIA for PHL at 8:30pm and now not until 10:40pm and there was no other flights to switch to - so bummed out. Have not even flown on AA yet and not too happy with them - I never had a flight change schedules as much as this. Oh well, the customer service lady said that there may even be more schedule changes - I hope not!

[jmbklj]

Are there better flights for your return? When the airlines make these types of schedule or aircraft changes, it is often your opportunity to get better flights options by calling them and saying the change is a problem and asking to be changed to better flights. I would research the flights I wanted before calling & having them ready for booking.

If there is just a minor time change, usually the airlines will not allow a change, but when there is a change that causes a long layover, often they will allow a change IF there is a better option.

The further in advance you book your flights, the likelihood of changes is greater and you can easily see changes more than once.

I booked flights to MT in Feb for our Aug trip on Delta and so far, we've had flight changes 3 times.

[Mountie]

Are there better flights for your return? When the airlines make these types of schedule or aircraft changes, it is often your opportunity to get better flights options by calling them and saying the change is a problem and asking to be changed to better flights. I would research the flights I wanted before calling & having them ready for booking.

If there is just a minor time change, usually the airlines will not allow a change, but when there is a change that causes a long layover, often they will allow a change IF there is a better option.

The farther in advance you book your flights, the likelihood of changes is greater and you can easily see changes more than once.

I booked flights to MT in Feb for our Aug trip on Delta and so far, we've had flight changes 3 times.

jmbklj, is it 'farther' or 'further'? I think it is further. Whatever.

I also find the further out my reservations, especially international and of recent time, those involving AA seem to result in a number of changes. I think there are all of kinds of reasons for the changes, but for the most part, reservations personnel attempt to be understanding and willing to assist. If not resolved to my liking, then I usually ask for a supervisor and move the problem up the chain.

I usually find it easier to call regarding these matter during off peak hours when reservations lines are not as busy as in prime time.

[jmbklj]

jmbklj, is it 'farther' or 'further'? I think it is further. Whatever.

I also find the further out my reservations, especially international and of recent time, those involving AA seem to result in a number of changes. I think there are all of kinds of reasons for the changes, but for the most part, reservations personnel attempt to be understanding and willing to assist. If not resolved to my liking, then I usually ask for a supervisor and move the problem up the chain.

I usually find it easier to call regarding these matter during off peak hours when reservations lines are not as busy as in prime time.

It is "further" and I knew that.....don't know why I typed "farther". Pardonnez-moi.

[[email protected]]

I did research before I called AA - no better flights, actually there is nothing else at all to switch too. There is only 1 other flight that goes through Dallas instead of Miami and that was not much better with connection times, etc. I suspect they are consolidating and cutting the number of flights to save money - maybe something to do with the bankruptcy they are going through. All I know is I am leaning towards not flying this airline again if I can avoid it!

It just makes no sense why you would change a flight that leaves around 8:30pm and gets you to your destination at a reasonable 11:25pm to a flight that now does not get you to your destination until almost 2am and has you wait in various airports for hours - do later flights and overnight flights save airlines money - maybe less food to carry onboard - I know in 1st class there are now no meals other than "a snack" on my MIA to PHL portion and before they switched it, it was supposed to be dinner.

[omegaet]

denise...how about spending the night (or two) in MIA and catching a better AA flight the following day? We have some great hotels in Miami.....do you have any award nights available through a credit card? Want to consider signing up for the Hyatt Visa....get yourself an award night right up front? AA would probably let you do the stop over (without extra costs) since they have changed their flights.

[[email protected]]

I do not have the option for extra nights on this trip due to work issues ;-(

Just read in this morning's Philadelphia Inquirer that AA is now seriously considering a merger and US Airways is the likely candidate - new airline would still be called American and headquarters would still be in Dallas. What ever happened to the anti-trust laws - pretty soon there will be no airline competition if they all keep merging. They put a stop to cell phone companies merging but no one seems to take any issue when big companies like airlines and banks merge - what's up with that! I guess profits for companies trump any "good for the consumer" things. I see even more price hikes in the future for air travel and fewer flights and more crowded planes.

[bonniejoy03]

I briefly caught the notice about AA and USAir. Not sure of my feelings on that one. Good luck with coordinating your trip. .........

[dhda[email protected]]

I have never had so many problems with airfare for a simple 5 night trip. Still, I am going back to Costa Rica to a nice LL hotel so I am sure I will have a great time! The hotel has been great with hooking me up with all the little extras I have emailed them about and we are looking forward to it.
They have us booked in their most private room, arranging for our excursion to Corcovado National park, arranged a rental car for us and we could not have any better communications with them - some of these airlines can learn a lesson in customer service from some of these great LL hotels ;-)

[Mountie]

denise, everything will work out. Your travel dates are still a good bit away and I'll bet there will be more changes.

As for AA and USAir, don't believe anything you read in the newspaper or hear on the TV.

All parties are posturing and they don't know what they are going to do.