American Airlines?

[DizFan13]

Wow...we were all set to fly SW Airlines, and had a flight picked out, but the rates just shot up $114 per ticket!!!

I found an American Airline flight through Expedia which is actually a little cheaper than the SW one was before the increase, although they charge for each bag checked and don't have the credit if you have to change your flight. Also, we haven't flown AA before. I am always nervous when it is an airline we don't know. Can anyone who has had experience with this airline give me some feedback? I want to make sure they are reasonably reliable, comfortable, work with DME, ect.

 

[kaytieeldr]

AA is reasonably reliable, comfortable, has worked with DME outbound since its inception over six years ago (all airlines have always worked with DME inbound), and will charge you $150 per change/cancellation on any nonrefundable ticket - including fare drops. They do allow you to select your seats in advance.

But why buy through Expedia? Why not just purchase directly through AA.com? If the lower fare isn't available there, I wouldn't trust you'd actually be able to get it through a third party site.

 

[DizFan13]

I usually use Expedia to price and then go to the airline itself. It just allows me to get an idea of which airlines have what rates and what flight times. I think I am going to go ahead with AA, because it is affordable for the days/times we want to fly. Thank you for the reassurance on their reliability.

 

[soxfan11901]

and will charge you $150 per change/cancellation on any nonrefundable ticket - including fare drops.

Actually, if the fare goes down and is available on the flights you are currently ticketed on you can get a travel voucher for the difference. There is no charge for this.

 

[dudspizza]

Actually, if the fare goes down and is available on the flights you are currently ticketed on you can get a travel voucher for the difference. There is no charge for this.

On American? I know it can be done on SW.

 

[NancyIL]

On American? I know it can be done on SW.

American will gladly issue a credit for a fare reduction...AFTER first deducting the $150 per ticket change fee.

 

[Mama Who]

My last experience with AA was so fantasically bad that I will never fly with them again. After telling me a massive cancellation fee was required 5 weeks before my trip, when I went ahead with my plans they called me less than 48 hours before my flight to cancel on me and then informed me it would be six weeks before I got a refund. I had to borrow money for Greyhound because I was young and broke and couldn't afford a new plane fare while they sat on my money.

Never again.

 

[soxfan11901]

Sorry, my bad on the change fee. I worked for AA for many years, but do not any longer. Did not realize this policy changed in late 2004. They don't fly where I live now so haven't kept up to date.

 

[happiestgrl]

If you book on AA.com and find a lower fare on another website the same day, AA will match the fare and give you a $50 credit for travel that is good for 1 year. You have to make your claim by midnight the same day, but it's an easy online claim. If the fare you saw on Expedia isn't available on AA.com, I'd still book and get the credit. I just did this yesterday - and I work for AA!

 

[Tinknalli]

A great website to use to check airfare on a multitude of airlines is www.kayak.com . I think they check through most airlines (Southwest is the exception, maybe others) along with expedia, priceline etc.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Also, we haven't flown AA before. I am always nervous when it is an airline we don't know. Can anyone who has had experience with this airline give me some feedback? I want to make sure they are reasonably reliable, comfortable, work with DME, ect.

American Airlines is the fourth largest passenger airline in passenger miles transported and has been around under this name since 1930. SWA only since 1967 (as Air Southwest; didn't become SWA until 1971) and is primarily a domestic airline. I think AA has proven they are a reliable airline.