Air Berlin Files for Bankruptcy
Sep 5, 2017, 3:11 pm
#211
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 522
Original ticket was booked using AA miles. AA rebooked me on ORD-LHR (AA metal), and LHR-TXL (BA metal). I liked the option because I avoided those dumb fuel surcharges from BA.
Sep 5, 2017, 4:13 pm
#212
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 286
Did AA charge anything for reissuing the ticket? Was it straight-forward or did it involve a lengthy discussion? Did AA specifically acknowledge AB's insolvency situation as the reason for making the change to the ticket, or would they have that too under different circumstances? Would things have been different for a paid ticket (issued by AA but for a connection on AB)?
Sep 5, 2017, 5:36 pm
#213
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
Did AA charge anything for reissuing the ticket? Was it straight-forward or did it involve a lengthy discussion? Did AA specifically acknowledge AB's insolvency situation as the reason for making the change to the ticket, or would they have that too under different circumstances? Would things have been different for a paid ticket (issued by AA but for a connection on AB)?
Sep 6, 2017, 2:42 pm
#214
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 286
I see; so from AA's perspective this was a normal rebooking on customer demand unrelated to AB's situation and flight cancellations.
I wonder what AA would have done if you had not changed your itinerary already before the AB flight cancellation was announced. Would they have rebooked you on another connection without charging any difference in fees?
I wonder what AA would have done if you had not changed your itinerary already before the AB flight cancellation was announced. Would they have rebooked you on another connection without charging any difference in fees?
Sep 6, 2017, 6:01 pm
#215
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
I see; so from AA's perspective this was a normal rebooking on customer demand unrelated to AB's situation and flight cancellations.
I wonder what AA would have done if you had not changed your itinerary already before the AB flight cancellation was announced. Would they have rebooked you on another connection without charging any difference in fees?
I wonder what AA would have done if you had not changed your itinerary already before the AB flight cancellation was announced. Would they have rebooked you on another connection without charging any difference in fees?
If AB cancels the flight on a AA-issued (001) ticket, you can try pressing AA to honor the procedures documented here. Don't know if they will push back because it is an award ticket.
Personally, I would plan on getting myself to FRA and have AA open up award seats on their metal to get back to US as a Plan B.
Sep 7, 2017, 1:21 pm
#216
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 522
Did AA charge anything for reissuing the ticket? Was it straight-forward or did it involve a lengthy discussion? Did AA specifically acknowledge AB's insolvency situation as the reason for making the change to the ticket, or would they have that too under different circumstances? Would things have been different for a paid ticket (issued by AA but for a connection on AB)?
When I mentioned the AB issue, the agent acted like she had no clue what I was talking about. I asked what would happen if the flight were to be cancelled. She said "they won't be cancelling this flight".
Sep 11, 2017, 7:36 am
#217
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany
Programs: Miles & More, Amex
Posts: 678
German news magazine DER SPIEGEL reports that AB will cancel certain long distance flights from DUS and TXL at an earlier date than originally reported.
New cancellation date for the following destinations will be 25 September:
German newpaper Süddeutsche Zeitung has a slightly different list:
New cancellation date for the following destinations will be 25 September:
German newpaper Süddeutsche Zeitung has a slightly different list:
Last edited by Scrooge McDuck; Sep 11, 2017 at 11:37 am Reason: typo correction
Sep 11, 2017, 11:56 am
#220
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
If I where in your shoes, I would have been on the phone as soon as the first route where dropped. Better to have a secure flight on hand now, as opposed to wait at last moment and pick through what is available.
Sep 11, 2017, 12:14 pm
#221
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 286
If the flights (9/27) were cancelled, AA would automatically rebook you, right?
So if you prefer to fly with AB, I wouldn't do anything right now.
Keep in mind though that in case there are any operational problems with the flight (delays, lost luggage) your chances to get compensation from AB as the operating carrier are pretty slim.
So if you prefer to fly with AB, I wouldn't do anything right now.
Keep in mind though that in case there are any operational problems with the flight (delays, lost luggage) your chances to get compensation from AB as the operating carrier are pretty slim.
Sep 11, 2017, 7:17 pm
#223
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NSW
Programs: QF P1 + LTG VA Plat, AA nothing, HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 769
I have a return Award ticket booked from TXL-ORD for end of Sep, with the return early October. It's booked through QF using my points. I contacted Qantas when the cancellations were being reported but they can't/ won't do anything as AB hasn't cancelled my flights yet. Any ideas when AB might actually cancel the bookings being reported in the media?
Its quite frustrating, so I am looking at back up options myself as it's essential travel and dates.
Its quite frustrating, so I am looking at back up options myself as it's essential travel and dates.
Sep 11, 2017, 7:23 pm
#224
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NSW
Programs: QF P1 + LTG VA Plat, AA nothing, HH Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 769
I have a return Award ticket booked from TXL-ORD for end of Sep, with the return early October. It's booked through QF using my points. I contacted Qantas when the cancellations were being reported but they can't/ won't do anything as AB hasn't cancelled my flights yet. Any ideas when AB might actually cancel the bookings being reported in the media?
Its quite frustrating, so I am looking at back up options myself as it's essential travel and dates.
Its quite frustrating, so I am looking at back up options myself as it's essential travel and dates.
Sep 11, 2017, 11:59 pm
#225
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Platinum / OWE
Posts: 112
Flight cancellations has started 
https://www.airberlin.com/en/site/la...nformation.php
Airberlin has to cancel flights for operational reasons today. We regret the inconvenience for our passengers. Passengers holding tickets for cancelled flights will be offered other travel options. They are kindly asked not to come to the airport and to call the airberlin Service Center. All international phonenumbers are published here: https://www.airberlin.com/…/si…/airb...ice_center.php
https://www.airberlin.com/en/site/la...nformation.php
Airberlin has to cancel flights for operational reasons today. We regret the inconvenience for our passengers. Passengers holding tickets for cancelled flights will be offered other travel options. They are kindly asked not to come to the airport and to call the airberlin Service Center. All international phonenumbers are published here: https://www.airberlin.com/…/si…/airb...ice_center.php