Originally Posted by
songofamerica89
AA has done this to me twice in the past year, booked PHX - DEN and PHX - STL on A319/A320 and a few months later, they switch to ERJ-175 without notice. I've had bad RJ experiences and due to PTSD try to avoid flying in them.. I moved up to FC and was able to make it work,along with a few Zolft, but would prefer I didn't have to medicate to fly.
All I ask is if they change metal, especially that far in advance to notify the booked passengers and provide options for them to change. If I had known, changed my return DEN flight (which was over the Rockies during a thunderstorm and let's just say I am still shaken). You notifiy us even time the schedule changes by 1 minute, it woudl be a nice to let us know months ahead of time if you change the aircraft to an RJ. I know I must sound like a whimp, but some life / death experiences aren't easy to just walk away from.
Setting aside the fact that notifications about changes from AA leave a lot to be desired, a change like this entitles you to pick a different option at no cost. First, find whatever alternative you want, then call in and have them switch you to that option (just be sure to keep it the same day of travel with the same origin/destination airports). While most agents will do this easily, some may push back. If anyone refuses to do so, politely end the call and then call back in to speak to someone else.
Also, while switching has no cost to you, if the price difference of the new flights is LESS than what you originally paid, just switch the flights online and you'll receive a Trip Credit for the price difference.