On award flight, can destination city be changed if massive schedule change?
Jul 29, 2014, 10:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 599
On award flight, can destination city be changed if massive schedule change?
Is it at all possible to convince AA call agent to change my award destination city if there has been a massive schedule change on my original flight (has anyone ever done it, any first hand accounts).
I had bought Madrid to Chicago on award flight. It has had a huge schedule change (now arriving 1 day later).
I actually want to get to Seattle (didn't find low-award space at time of booking) - when I call them to discuss options due to this huge change is it feasible to ask to be sent to Seattle instead?
I had bought Madrid to Chicago on award flight. It has had a huge schedule change (now arriving 1 day later).
I actually want to get to Seattle (didn't find low-award space at time of booking) - when I call them to discuss options due to this huge change is it feasible to ask to be sent to Seattle instead?
Jul 29, 2014, 10:59 am
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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As American Airlines and US Airways are still operating as distinct airlines, this question is being moved to the appropriate pre-merger airline forum.
Please note the sticky at the top of the consolidated thread which is titled PLEASE READ ME BEFORE POSTING! Welcome to the New American Airlines Forum!. With all of the changes about, it is important to know where to post, and reading that thread before posting (as the title suggests
) will help get you in the right place.
~Moderator
Please note the sticky at the top of the consolidated thread which is titled PLEASE READ ME BEFORE POSTING! Welcome to the New American Airlines Forum!. With all of the changes about, it is important to know where to post, and reading that thread before posting (as the title suggests
) will help get you in the right place.~Moderator
Jul 29, 2014, 11:22 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2005
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No first hand, but is there a way to do MAD-XXX-SEA-ORD and just get off in SEA? They might allow it to get you back to where you were before the schedule change....
Jul 29, 2014, 11:33 am
#4
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It would be a tough sell to go MAD-XXX-SEA-ORD because AA only has flights MAD to JFK or MIA. Then MIA-SEA has only one flight per day.
Since OP originally plan to go ORD-SEA on his own, he might try to work something MAD-XXX-DFW/LAX/SFO-ORD and then get off at DFW or LAX or SFO to go to SEA on his own.
He would get a much higher chance to go thru DFW but not so much to LAX and much less so thru SFO due to frequency of flights.
Since OP originally plan to go ORD-SEA on his own, he might try to work something MAD-XXX-DFW/LAX/SFO-ORD and then get off at DFW or LAX or SFO to go to SEA on his own.
He would get a much higher chance to go thru DFW but not so much to LAX and much less so thru SFO due to frequency of flights.
Jul 29, 2014, 12:36 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2000
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AA is pretty good about reprotecting on other carriers due to schedule changes, so an option to consider is having them put you on a different carrier to get you to your destination as originally ticketed. Can you provide more details as to what schedule change is causing a 1 day delay? When are the flights and who is operating them? These will help determine how much flexibility AA has in making changes.
Jul 29, 2014, 12:53 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 599
It was an Iberia operated Madrid to Chicago direct flight 5 months out, bought using AAwards. I have my own arrangements to get to Seattle after I land (refundable).
They simply changed their schedule such that the flight no longer runs on that day, and put me on next day's flight.
Best case for me would be for American Airlines to put me on Madrid to Seattle (through whichever city).
I'm not worried about American reaccomodating me because I'm familiar with schedule changes and airlines being nice, but I want to know how much can I push it - can I just get to Seattle now and if people have good experiences around changing destinations. Or should I not even bother trying.
They simply changed their schedule such that the flight no longer runs on that day, and put me on next day's flight.
Best case for me would be for American Airlines to put me on Madrid to Seattle (through whichever city).
I'm not worried about American reaccomodating me because I'm familiar with schedule changes and airlines being nice, but I want to know how much can I push it
- can I just get to Seattle now and if people have good experiences around changing destinations. Or should I not even bother trying.
Jul 29, 2014, 1:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: DFW/LAX
Programs: HH Diamond, AA EXP
Posts: 534
Is your ORD-SEA flight purchased through AA?
I'd just call them up and explain the situation and hope to get a friendly agent on the phone, it's incredible to me just how much flexibility the phone agents seem to have when they want to be helpful.
I'd just call them up and explain the situation and hope to get a friendly agent on the phone, it's incredible to me just how much flexibility the phone agents seem to have when they want to be helpful.
Jul 29, 2014, 1:24 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 599
Thanks - yes I'll try that. Hopefully it works
Jul 29, 2014, 1:26 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2014
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Deleted: double post.
Jul 29, 2014, 2:49 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Are award flights MAD-SEA available via any airport (e.g., BOS, JFK) available on the day you want to fly? If so, you might find it easier to cancel your current reservation, get your miles back, and rebook.
Jul 29, 2014, 4:08 pm
#11
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Is it at all possible to convince AA call agent to change my award destination city if there has been a massive schedule change on my original flight (has anyone ever done it, any first hand accounts).
I had bought Madrid to Chicago on award flight. It has had a huge schedule change (now arriving 1 day later).
I actually want to get to Seattle (didn't find low-award space at time of booking) - when I call them to discuss options due to this huge change is it feasible to ask to be sent to Seattle instead?
I had bought Madrid to Chicago on award flight. It has had a huge schedule change (now arriving 1 day later).
I actually want to get to Seattle (didn't find low-award space at time of booking) - when I call them to discuss options due to this huge change is it feasible to ask to be sent to Seattle instead?
Jul 29, 2014, 4:34 pm
#12
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Of course you should be able to change. A schedule change causing you to arrive a day later is grounds for refund. So, a change should be a non-issue if there is award space. (one reason to ask AA first rather than waiting here for a response,,, if there is space, grab it) If there isn't award space, it might not be so easy.
^
Jul 29, 2014, 5:06 pm
#13
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I am hoping for such as schedule change within the next 3 weeks as I used an award to return from BCN, since I decided to not try for EXP this year. My goal was to get to LAS for a tournament after a cruise. The best I could do for my limited date range (cruise ends, tournament starts) was ONT.
Jul 29, 2014, 5:57 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 599
Thank you so much to the posters who recommended just getting a full refund and then booking a Madrid to Seattle flight with the refunded miles!
I went with that option, and not only do I save on my refundable paid Chicago to Seattle flight ($200), but also on taxes since Madrid to Seattle taxes on USAirways were only $60 as opposed to $160 on Iberia.
Total cost savings due to schedule change = $360, and I get an extra day in Spain ^
I went with that option, and not only do I save on my refundable paid Chicago to Seattle flight ($200), but also on taxes since Madrid to Seattle taxes on USAirways were only $60 as opposed to $160 on Iberia.
Total cost savings due to schedule change = $360, and I get an extra day in Spain ^
Jul 30, 2014, 5:01 am
#15
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IME, AA is quite good about rebooking to accommodate schedule changes - but moving the OP to another carrier on award ticket for a schedule change is not at all likely.
Last edited by bdemaria; Jul 30, 2014 at 7:06 am