Argh! Flight change. Need advice

[DisneyJade]

American has moved up our return flight by FOUR HOURS. This means we are now scheduled to get on a plane when we are supposed to be having a character breakfast at Topolino's.

We were very particular about choosing nonstop flights for this trip, to avoid airports as much as possible. Now our options are to switch to a return route with a layover in DFW or accept the new early morning flight, which doesn't just cancel our ONE character meal of the trip but also cuts into our last park day by forcing us to pack the night before and get to sleep early.

What would you all do? Layover or skip the breakfast and take the early nonstop?

 

[hippiechicken]

Change the flight to the next day!

 

[DisneyJade]

Ha! Tempting, but probably not worth the cost of an extra night in the hotel.

 

[Pupstitch]

I would take the layover. You are already going through airports and getting on a plane. There isn't more risk of Covid.

 

[DebbieB]

When is it? Any time I’ve flown American there are multiple changes.

 

[LadyBeBop]

How long of a layover in DFW?

Assuming a long-enough layover, I'd fly into DFW. There isn't that much of a risk in a layover (COVID, missed flights, etc). And you'd probably regret missing your meal.

Good luck.

 

[sam_gordon]

Personally, I've never understood the hate of layovers. Does it add some complication? OK, sure. But if you have to sacrifice something else in order to take a direct flight, why bother? I would obviously choose the layover.

Now, you do have another option... get a refund and travel on another airline.

 

[disneycruisedreams]

Does anyone know the threshold to get a refund if your flights were changed? We’re booked on American. Is it greater than 1hour? 2 hours?

 

[Jonfw2]

Google "passenger bill of rights".

 

[sam_gordon]

Does anyone know the threshold to get a refund if your flights were changed? We’re booked on American. Is it greater than 1hour? 2 hours?

Four hours.

We do not refund nonrefundable American Airlines tickets except when the ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, when we make a schedule change that results in a change of more than 4 hours*,

Source
The * says it's for tickets purchased after April 8, 2020, which should apply to you unless you're leaving in the next month or so.
Either way, I would call them.

Google "passenger bill of rights".

Doesn't apply. Here's the link to it: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th...1/text#toc-id35e604ad952742ddbd33e5fe6c18ae33

 

[FCDub]

Personally, I've never understood the hate of layovers. Does it add some complication? OK, sure. But if you have to sacrifice something else in order to take a direct flight, why bother? I would obviously choose the layover.

Now, you do have another option... get a refund and travel on another airline.

In pre-COVID times, I totally agree. But I understand not wanting to be around another group of people for a couple of additional hours.

 

[sam_gordon]

In pre-COVID times, I totally agree. But I understand not wanting to be around another group of people for a couple of additional hours.

I get that, but the OP is willing to be around a group of people for the breakfast/park time. It depends on what's more important to the traveler.

 

[FCDub]

I get that, but the OP is willing to be around a group of people for the breakfast/park time. It depends on what's more important to the traveler.

I mean, I certainly get that too!

 

[Evita_W]

Ha! Tempting, but probably not worth the cost of an extra night in the hotel.

Check with your airline, they may be able to get you a discounted room for that one night in the airport. But yes, I would move the flight to the next day.

 

[hippiechicken]

DFW does have some great restaurants in it, so you could use the layover for dinner.

 

[cjlong88]

If those were my only two options, I think I would choose the later one-stop flight.

 

[DisneyJade]

Thanks everyone! This ended up being quite a hassle.

We went to book the afternoon flight with a layover in DFW, but every time we tried to complete the change, the system threw up an alert saying one of our flights was no longer available. TURNS OUT, they were in the middle of a price update. After 20 minutes, the system went back to working and all of the flight prices changed from being a lower fare than our current rate to a HIGHER fare. There was a $75 swing PER TICKET, and we went from credit to price increase in an instant.

I was pretty enraged about that and by now, determined to get a credit voucher for my new, inconvenient flight options, so I selected a different route home through Charlotte. The departure time is better but unfortunately, we have only a 40-minute layover in which to drag 2 small children from gate to gate, give them a bathroom break and hopefully grab food and drink to have dinner on the plane. UGH. I’m going to spend our entire vacation stressing about the trip home. I honestly might cancel the whole flight and find a different airline.

 

[cjlong88]

Thanks everyone! This ended up being quite a hassle.

We went to book the afternoon flight with a layover in DFW, but every time we tried to complete the change, the system threw up an alert saying one of our flights was no longer available. TURNS OUT, they were in the middle of a price update. After 20 minutes, the system went back to working and all of the flight prices changed from being a lower fare than our current rate to a HIGHER fare. There was a $75 swing PER TICKET, and we went from credit to price increase in an instant.

I was pretty enraged about that and by now, determined to get a credit voucher for my new, inconvenient flight options, so I selected a different route home through Charlotte. The departure time is better but unfortunately, we have only a 40-minute layover in which to drag 2 small children from gate to gate, give them a bathroom break and hopefully grab food and drink to have dinner on the plane. UGH. I’m going to spend our entire vacation stressing about the trip home. I honestly might cancel the whole flight and find a different airline.

Ugh. What a turn of events! At this point I would start looking at other airlines for a better, cheaper flight deal as well. Google flights might show you good alternatives. If you cancel your American flight, will they give you a voucher/e-credit? If so, that may be the way to go.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks everyone! This ended up being quite a hassle.

We went to book the afternoon flight with a layover in DFW, but every time we tried to complete the change, the system threw up an alert saying one of our flights was no longer available. TURNS OUT, they were in the middle of a price update. After 20 minutes, the system went back to working and all of the flight prices changed from being a lower fare than our current rate to a HIGHER fare. There was a $75 swing PER TICKET, and we went from credit to price increase in an instant.

This would have been the time to call (or chat if they offer it) and talk to a rep. If they changed the flight by 4 hours, you shouldn't have to pay the difference.

 

[DisneyJade]

Ugh. What a turn of events! At this point I would start looking at other airlines for a better, cheaper flight deal as well. Google flights might show you good alternatives. If you cancel your American flight, will they give you a voucher/e-credit? If so, that may be the way to go.

Yes, due to COVID, they are giving vouchers for future travel if you cancel, so that may very well be what we do!

This would have been the time to call (or chat if they offer it) and talk to a rep. If they changed the flight by 4 hours, you shouldn't have to pay the difference.

I called at one point during the process, and they did say we could get a full refund due to the 4-hour change, but it meant canceling all flights. I should have taken them up on it! I may call again today.

Thanks again, everyone. Wish I lived closer and could just drive. LOL