relberger

In March I took a JFK/ORD/LAS/LAX/JFK flight where on the JFK/ORD leg I paid for a preferred seat, but didn't get it because I got upgraded, and actually totally forgot that I paid extra for a seat I didn't get.

Well, I just got an email saying the money has been refunded. Out of the blue.

Wow. That is good work on their part.

This, and many other things that people consider "trivial", but actually make a difference, is why I choose AA over others.

Kudos.

ORD-DCA Flyer

You paid for a preferred seat as a PLT?

How were you upgraded? Op up?

cynicAAl

and how would you even do that ? PLT status would get you the preferred seat for free, AA.com wouldn't bring up a pay window since it knows the preferred seat is free to PLT.

ehallison

I am really puzzled at the "wow" and kudos given to a company for refunding money owed to a customer. ??

Since you said it...you are right, it does seem trivial. We choose to fly AA for many other reasons having to do with destinations, AAdvantage benefits, etc. Is AA the only carrier that gives refunds to customers when they are owed? That would be something to know about.

SFOPhD

Anecdotal fact: United didn't automatically refund the E+ payment for my parents when they got upgraded...

ehallison

Did your parents get their refund?

I concur that it was a nice thing for AA to do (refund automatically), but I'm still baffled that it merits a "why I fly AA" post.

TrojanHorse

I fly AA b/c of the upgrade part, not the part where they give me the money they owe me

adamj023

The airline competition I believe is the best it has ever been in the USA.

fly747first

Of course not, UA is out to steal from the customers they consider an inconvenience in the first place.

Ambraciot

Funny, I was considering posting that the quality of the competition is why I fly AA, but wouldn't call that quality "best", good or high.

mvoight

Can you explain how you are PLT and paid for a preferred seat?

relberger

I used 500 mile upgrade.

ORD-DCA Flyer

But how did you manage to pay for a preferred seat as a PLT in the first place?

relberger

It was a timing thing. I was on Plat challenge when I booked the ticket. I had received it by the time I took the flight, and the day of flight I used 500 mile upgrade. I was pretty excited that I had just made it (I know some of you might roll your eyes at that) but jumped at the chance.

Bottom line is I was just pleasantly surprised that they wrapped back around to refund me.

I used to be one of those guys that spread flights across the carrier spectrum but I got tired of flying so much and not getting above basic status of anything. So since I fly to Australia on Qantas (yeah, I even spread points between AA and QF -- I did that for over two years -- just ignorance), and after reading, I just centered on AA and AA marketed flights on the correct class of service. Been happy ever since (and now I am only 25k EQM away from Exec Plat after 6 months

pritomd

I made a booking over the phone to use a companion cert and I added the booking to my AA number. The booking didn't "recognize" that I was elite even though it was in my account, so it'd prompt me to pay for preferred/MCE. However, I found out I just had to add my AA number to the booking directly, despite it already being under/associated with my account.