American issues

[Dakota731]

We booked our flights for a July trip using AA for the first time and they’ve already changed times twice in the past few weeks. The last time they changed our arrival time from 5 pm till 9 pm. Do I have recourse to get that changed since that’s too late for the kids? And if I do get them to change my flight then what if they keep changing times over the next five months? Don’t think I’d book with them again though their prices were the best for us

 

[spiders]

You need to be more specific on your times. You can get a refund if it’s more than 4 hours. If you’re simply unhappy but still want to fly then nothing except for changing it to a different itinerary.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

They should accommodate you with a change to a different flight that works without needing to pay a far difference. If they won't or don't have one, you can cancel and get your money back to book with another airline. Beware though, these days this isn't unique to any airline in particular. On my vacation to Hawaii last week, I had significant schedule changes from Delta, United, Alaska, and Hawaiian on a single trip.

 

[gharter]

They have changed our flight times multiple times.
If they are not good, I look at what is available and what works for us and my preference.
Then I call. Be VERY nice, let them know that your flight times were changed and they don't really work for you. Ask if you can change to "xxx" flight.
When this has happened to us, they have been very accommodating and changed flights with no cost to us (even when the new flights were $100's more per person).
Good luck.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

They have changed our flight times multiple times.
If they are not good, I look at what is available and what works for us and my preference.
Then I call. Be VERY nice, let them know that your flight times were changed and they don't really work for you. Ask if you can change to "xxx" flight.
When this has happened to us, they have been very accommodating and changed flights with no cost to us (even when the new flights were $100's more per person).
Good luck.

This has been my experience as well. Sit on hold for two hours, then when you finally get a person they're EXTREMELY friendly and willing to help.

 

[MrKnight]

This is not unique to AA, all airlines are doing this right now.. Have you called the airline? I have found AA to be very easy to work with and use them for all of my trips since my home airport is a hub for AA.. IMHO, I would recommend calling them first before bashing the airline here on the forums..

 

[Dakota731]

I just tried to call and they said it's more than a four hour wait so they will call me back. The change was more than four hours later arrival time, so it's too late at night for our kids. Weird that they are making so many changes five months out! I'm leery to change so far out in case they keep changing on me but don't want other flights to fill up either.

 

[gharter]

I just tried to call and they said it's more than a four hour wait so they will call me back. The change was more than four hours later arrival time, so it's too late at night for our kids. Weird that they are making so many changes five months out! I'm leery to change so far out in case they keep changing on me but don't want other flights to fill up either.

Love the call back option. It has worked well.
I always laugh when I get the email that our flight time has changed. 8 months out and our flight will leave 10 minutes later or get in 20 minutes later. But thats better than the 3 later departure emails.

 

[kda]

As others have said, it is NOT unusual that airlines change flight times. Many, many people have posted this on the boards for the past several years, and we've experienced it ourselves on Delta and Jet Blue. It's why it's recommended that each person monitor their flights, because airlines may not notify of changes right away. Changes can occur at any time, up to a few weeks before the date.
Our experience has also been that airlines have been very generous in allowing changes to a flight that works better for us. This includes changing to flights that cost more. Some airlines allow changes to the "new flight" on line, and I haven't even had to call. I've always reviewed the options and knew what I wanted to request. Good luck.

 

[Akck]

I believe I had flights change 3 times on one trip. The agent said they usually lock them in place 6 weeks prior to the flight, so expect changes between now and then. On one change they changed us to a flight getting in at midnight. Well, the car rental place closes at midnight, so we’d have no transportation. We ended up overnighting at the hub to get a better arrival time. I’d just go with flights that are better for you and plan on monitoring them until you leave.

 

[sponica]

If you can identify a flight that works better for you, call and ask to be put on that. They're more than helpful when this issue comes up.