AA Storm Policy - Christmas 2010

[Elmo007]

I was wondering if anyone had any experince with AA this yeear given the bad weather on the east coast. Last year, they were later than other airlines in allowing changes. In addition, they required that the original inventory of seats be available. As I usally buy a 21 day advance seat that does not help me for the most part. Other such as Jetblue seem to say if a seat is open, hop on.

What has anyone found this year in trying to change on AA?

Thanks

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't know when the other airlines posted their information, but American has Northeast travel information current as of today. Check the website.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you are thinking of going out earlier to beat the storm, I suggest reporting the the airport at the time you would like to go. They will surely put you on a flight with empty coach seats standby without regard to fare class or the fare you paid.

The airline does have the right to deny your making a new reservation at your old fare until other later arriving or later calling customers willing to pay higher fares have had a chance at those seats.

If you don't report tot he airport early and your flight is cancelled, they must issue a refund upon your request.

 

[drew64]

If you are thinking of going out earlier to beat the storm, I suggest reporting the the airport at the time you would like to go. They will surely put you on a flight with empty coach seats standby without regard to fare class or the fare you paid.

The airline does have the right to deny your making a new reservation at your old fare until other later arriving or later calling customers willing to pay higher fares have had a chance at those seats.

If you don't report tot he airport early and your flight is cancelled, they must issue a refund upon your request.

Sorry, but that is not true. Cancellations due to stomrs fall under "force majeure" and airlines do not have to issue refunds, waive penalties, etc.

Yes, airlines do enact special policies for storms - rule 240 - which allows for changes or reuse fo ticket without penaties, and sometimes refunds, but it is at the airline's discretion and there is no law or rule that says they must issue a refund upon request if a flight is cancelled due to weather.

When flights are delayed or cancelled due to weather, airlines also have no obligation to provide meal or lodging vouchers - though some do.

Airlines are not required to compensate passengers for delayed or canceled flights. Each carrier differs in its policy and there are no federal requirements for passenger compensation. Most airlines will book you on the next available flight if your flight is canceled. If your plane is delayed, the airline may pay for meals or a phone call, so it's worth asking. Some will offer no amenities if the delay is caused by bad weather or other conditions beyond their control. Compensation is required by law only if you are "bumped" from a flight that is oversold

 

[dudspizza]

Sorry, but that is not true. Cancellations due to stomrs fall under "force majeure" and airlines do not have to issue refunds, waive penalties, etc.

Yes, airlines do enact special policies for storms - rule 240 - which allows for changes or reuse fo ticket without penaties, and sometimes refunds, but it is at the airline's discretion and there is no law or rule that says they must issue a refund upon request if a flight is cancelled due to weather.

When flights are delayed or cancelled due to weather, airlines also have no obligation to provide meal or lodging vouchers - though some do.

Airlines are not required to compensate passengers for delayed or canceled flights. Each carrier differs in its policy and there are no federal requirements for passenger compensation. Most airlines will book you on the next available flight if your flight is canceled. If your plane is delayed, the airline may pay for meals or a phone call, so it's worth asking. Some will offer no amenities if the delay is caused by bad weather or other conditions beyond their control. Compensation is required by law only if you are "bumped" from a flight that is oversold

Plus, doesn't AA have a charge for passengers that want to fly stand-by on an earlier same day flight? Of course, this would be trumped if they have storm related stuff going on and they offer the chance to change......

 

[DebbieB]

Plus, doesn't AA have a charge for passengers that want to fly stand-by on an earlier same day flight? Of course, this would be trumped if they have storm related stuff going on and they offer the chance to change......

From AA.com:

Q: What is Standby?
A: Standby allows travelers to standby for an earlier American Airlines flight to their destination on their day of departure at no charge. Travelers can request to be added to the standby list at the airport check in or departure gate, unless the standby list is already closed at the time of request. Travelers standing by for an earlier flight on departure day retain their original flight reservation until they are confirmed on the alternate flight. Unlike our Confirmed Flight Change option, Same Day Standby does not guarantee a seat on a particular flight.

For a confirmed seat, it's $50:

http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/sameDayTravel.jsp

 

[kaytieeldr]

But the OP doesn't have to 'just show up' at the airport or fly standby or pay a fee. American posted their weather policy for travel to/from storm-affected cities on December 25 - some time before 8:43 PM eastern. Yes, he/she is right - there has to be availability in the same fare bucket one originally purchased. Other than that, the policy seems pretty clear and passenger-friendly.

 

[seashoreCM]

Sorry, but that is not true. Cancellations due to stomrs fall under "force majeure" and airlines do not have to issue refunds, waive penalties, etc.

Yes, airlines do enact special policies for storms - rule 240 - which allows for changes or reuse fo ticket without penaties, and sometimes refunds, but it is at the airline's discretion and there is no law or rule that says they must issue a refund upon request if a flight is cancelled due to weather. [/I]

Are you sure?

A merchant may not keep the customer's money while not providing the goods or services.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Why are you all still discussing what AA 'has to' do?

Go to www.aa.com
Look on the right side of the page, under AA News and Offers *
Click on Northeast, England, Europe Travel Policies*
READ THE NORTHEAST TRAVEL POLICY CHART! **

*best effort to duplicate the formatting
**emphasis used to draw attention to the facts/away from speculation

 

[drew64]

Are you sure?

A merchant may not keep the customer's money while not providing the goods or services.

I am positve. Airlines are not merchants and differne tlaws apply.

Kaytieeldr is right, AA and most other airilines have posted their policies already for this storm, and most will do all they can to waive fees, etc. but what you said about them having to give a refund is not correct. It is all well covered in the terms and conditions of any ticket you purchase.

Trust me, I have been in the travel industry over 14 years dealing with airlines directly, etc.

I would never advise anyone to just show up at the airport and try for other flights during these storms. It just jams the airports - as what occurred over the past week in Europe.

Yes, if a storm is approaching, it is worth calling the airlines to see if they can confirm you on an earlier flight, but you should not go to the airport expecting to be put on a different flight nor expecting a refund. You should call the airlines and work with an agent there.

 

[Elmo007]

My point is that the AA policy does not appear to be very customer friendly. Jetblue posted their policy earlier and seems to let you go to the same destination when there is a seat available, even if it is earlier.

Last year during the storm, I had a flight on a wedensday, the day the storm was scheduled to arrive. AA would not let me move up to Tuesday without payment of a difference in fare. Other airlines seemed to be more accomodating.

Once the flight was canceled, they gave me a choice of a flight the following sundday or a refund. as my trip was scheduled to end that date, i took the refund

I wanted to know what peoples experinces were during this storm

 

[kaytieeldr]

Kaytieeldr is right,

My favorite statement ever on the DIS. Thanks, drew64

 

[dudspizza]

From AA.com:



For a confirmed seat, it's $50:

http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/sameDayTravel.jsp

I knew there was $50 involved somewhere.... must have come up when I was looking to fly out earlier in a day, but also wanted to be confirmed on that flight..... my bad.

Duds

 

[kaytieeldr]

My point is that the AA policy does not appear to be very customer friendly. Jetblue posted their policy earlier and seems to let you go to the same destination when there is a seat available, even if it is earlier.

But JetBlue has one class of service; they're not a legacy carrier - believe it or not, they're a low-cost carrier.
Among the legacy carriers, for the Northeast storm: Delta's policy is a bit more flexible than AA's. You can travel up to the 29th, no restriction on class, and "If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, you are entitled to a refund".
US Airways will let you change your ticket online and waive the change fee, if you
• Book the same origin and destination
• Move your entire trip up to 7 days before or after the scheduled departure date
United (on the website, there are some actual links in this text): For waiver-eligible itineraries, we recommend that you reschedule your travel as soon as possible.
If your flight has been canceled, you may already have been rebooked on another flight. Please visit the My Reservations page to see if you have been rebooked.
If you have not yet checked in for your flight and you have not been automatically rebooked, you may be able to reschedule your travel through My Reservations. To do so, select View/Modify next to the appropriate itinerary and then select the "Change itinerary" link.
If you have already checked in for your flight, you must cancel your check-in before trying to rebook through My Reservations. You may cancel your check-in through EasyCheck-in Online®."
Continental (United was kind enough to provide a link ): For original travel dates 12/25-12/27,
•When rescheduled travel commences by January 3, 2011, change fees and fare differences will be waived.
•For all other changes, the change fee will be waived, but a difference in fare may apply.
AA: stated above, but I don't recall what the "you may begin travel as late as" dates were when I looked yesterday. Now - updated as of December 29 - affected passengers could travel as early as 12/25 and as late as 12/29, instead of 12/26-12/27. Again, as the OP stated, original inventory is required; it's not clear if that means the same class, or the same fare code.
Airtran (last update 12/24) "Passengers who are traveling to, from or through the affected cities during the travel period detailed below may adjust their travel dates up to three (3) days prior or five (5) days after their originally scheduled date of travel based on space availability, without change fees or fare adjustments." Can change online.
Southwest lets you "rebook in the original class of service* or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge." If you booked online you can change online, otherwise call.
JetBlue "Due to impending inclement weather in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region JetBlue will waive fees & increases for Customers traveling in/out of the following cities between, Saturday, December 25th and Monday, December 27th, 2010. Customers will be allowed to rebook through Friday January 14th.
If your travel plans include traveling to or from one of the cities below and you would like to make a change to a new flight without fee or fare difference, please call 1-800-JETBLUE to discuss re-accommodation options." Of course, when you call is when you find out there's at least a half hour wait to talk to a representative

*Appears to mirror AA in this regard

 

[drew64]

My favorite statement ever on the DIS. Thanks, drew64

Anytime!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I just wanted to point out, from my wordy post above that provides information from various airlines on their change policies/exemptions when it's weather-related: while the OP is correct that AA is stricter than JetBlue, he/she is comparing a legacy carrier to a low-cost airline.

More appropriate would be to compare AA's (or, really, any other airline's) policy to United's. While it appears every other airline will let the passenger choose their own alternative - with AA and Southwest requiring the same class to be available, not unreasonably - United has taken the liberty of rebooking passengers whose flights were cancelled. The other airlines, rightly or wrongly, appear to be allowing the passengers to rebook themselves, either online or on the phone.

I know JetBlue's LAS-BOS flight that was supposed to depart at 11:29 PM on 12/26, was cancelled before 10 PM on 11/25 I know this because it's the flight I would have preferred to take home; even before being informed of the cancellation, common sense dictated that being home before this blizzard started was the smart move.

 

[Elmo007]

Thanks kaytieeldr.

Since the only difference in SW is fare and early boarding in terms of class of service, my guess is that they will be more flexible than AA in letting a pasenger rebook,

My point is that in the northeast, in the winter (or durring hurricane season) i would try to avoid AA and lean toward SW or JB due to restrictive change policies.