This past February I was flying JFK to MIA on AA and then home FLL to ISP on SW. (That becomes important later)
Two days before departing, it was cleart hat there was gooing to be a Major snow storm in NYC. Other Airlines were letting you change starting two days before the storm but not AA. They only started allowing changes 1 day before the storm. BUT, they would only let you change if the same fare class was available. Since I was on a 21 day purchase, guess how that worked out, Other airlines (JB, SW) were letting you switch based on capacity.
Eventually teh flight was canceled and they offered me a replacement flight 4 days later. That wa sthe date I was scheduled to fly home to ISP on SW. I aksed if they could get me to MIA in time to make my flight back. Anyway they gave me a refund.
SW, even though they were flying 4 days later, allowed me to get a full credit (subject to expiration)
So a SW credit plus an AA refund plus a Give-a-day promotion and there is a surprise trip.
A few lessons:
1. If you are flying in a bad weather time (ie NYC in Winter) be careful about splitting airlines. If the first half of your trip is canceled, you may get screwed on your return trip if you have to adjust schedules or cancel
2. Check what the policy i son bad weather reschedules. Its always tough with capacity what it is but AA wont even let you try. SW would let you try, even though with so many cancels it may not have worked
3. Consider how friendly an airlien is if you have issues and need to change. Again, a tip of the hat to SW. Honorable mention to JB which will give you credit if you buy a fare and the price drops. Most wont do that.
$. A canceled 4 day to miami replaced by a bonus week in WD is a good trade off
Two days before departing, it was cleart hat there was gooing to be a Major snow storm in NYC. Other Airlines were letting you change starting two days before the storm but not AA. They only started allowing changes 1 day before the storm. BUT, they would only let you change if the same fare class was available. Since I was on a 21 day purchase, guess how that worked out, Other airlines (JB, SW) were letting you switch based on capacity.
Eventually teh flight was canceled and they offered me a replacement flight 4 days later. That wa sthe date I was scheduled to fly home to ISP on SW. I aksed if they could get me to MIA in time to make my flight back. Anyway they gave me a refund.
SW, even though they were flying 4 days later, allowed me to get a full credit (subject to expiration)
So a SW credit plus an AA refund plus a Give-a-day promotion and there is a surprise trip.
A few lessons:
1. If you are flying in a bad weather time (ie NYC in Winter) be careful about splitting airlines. If the first half of your trip is canceled, you may get screwed on your return trip if you have to adjust schedules or cancel
2. Check what the policy i son bad weather reschedules. Its always tough with capacity what it is but AA wont even let you try. SW would let you try, even though with so many cancels it may not have worked
3. Consider how friendly an airlien is if you have issues and need to change. Again, a tip of the hat to SW. Honorable mention to JB which will give you credit if you buy a fare and the price drops. Most wont do that.
$. A canceled 4 day to miami replaced by a bonus week in WD is a good trade off
