Bailing on a companion fare at connection
Dec 1, 2017, 6:39 pm
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
Stop using the word "technicality". That is what fare rules are.
While the thread about the family being tossed might be about something other than a Companion, it does show that AS is serious about its anti-fraud measures and OP needs to appreciate that the companion might get the boot and if that happens, what is Plan B?
The suggestion of using other passengers' BP's is a bad one. As a starting point it is a federal criminal violation. Is anyone likely going to prison? No. But, it's not the sort of thing one asks friends or colleagues (or whatever this companion) is and it's bad advice of the worst sort to give.
The best bet here --- shockingly for FT --- is to be honest and not a fraudster. If there is anything to be done, it is through AS in advance. So, call.
While the thread about the family being tossed might be about something other than a Companion, it does show that AS is serious about its anti-fraud measures and OP needs to appreciate that the companion might get the boot and if that happens, what is Plan B?
The suggestion of using other passengers' BP's is a bad one. As a starting point it is a federal criminal violation. Is anyone likely going to prison? No. But, it's not the sort of thing one asks friends or colleagues (or whatever this companion) is and it's bad advice of the worst sort to give.
The best bet here --- shockingly for FT --- is to be honest and not a fraudster. If there is anything to be done, it is through AS in advance. So, call.
Dec 1, 2017, 6:58 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 493
I had a similar situation OAK to Hawaii RT. I could not fly the outbound because something came up but my companion needed to fly out on original itinerary. Called in and there is no flexibility on this. Had to buy two new tickets for outbound and change the companion fare ticket to a one way for our flight back together.
Dec 1, 2017, 9:40 pm
#18
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
No debate on what the rules are. However, I would say the average (non-FT) person would consider the fact that there is some sort of distinction between the two pax booked on identical flights that paid a single, combined fare is very much a technicality, but we're arguing semantics here which is beside the point.
As stated above, agreed completely.
Again, as stated above, nobody has any intent to be dishonest or a fraudster.
To simply pay the walk-up full fare, which is the only option currently available as well.
Yup, and I will probably end up doing that. But as we all know some aspects of fare rules are routinely enforced, and some are routinely ignored. Simply trying to ascertain on which side of the line this case lies.
The suggestion of using other passengers' BP's is a bad one.
The best bet here --- shockingly for FT --- is to be honest and not a fraudster.
OP needs to appreciate that the companion might get the boot and if that happens, what is Plan B?
If there is anything to be done, it is through AS in advance. So, call.
Dec 1, 2017, 10:14 pm
#19
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Join Date: Nov 2009
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is it possible (flight schedules? your calendar?) for you to just fly the ticket as booked, and then do an immediate return to the connecting city? you might consider using miles to reduce out-of-pocket cost ...
Dec 1, 2017, 11:12 pm
#20
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Yes, I've considered that. But at 12 hours wasted in the air vs $2K, it's just about break even...
Dec 3, 2017, 10:51 pm
#21
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Dec 18, 2017, 2:56 pm
#22
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Just to close the loop on this, I ended up calling AS to discuss options. They insisted the rule is iron clad, and could not be overridden (at least by res; I remain skeptical that a GA would throw someone off the plane). As usual, AS was quite accommodating and allowed me to use the ticket for a different routing (which means the entire ticket was no longer a round trip) that both pax could actually fly.