Refund for Baggage fee
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midwest/Mideast (ORD/DTW/FNT/BAH)
Programs: QR Gold/Gulf Air Gold/UA Gold
Posts: 345
Refund for Baggage fee
I was flying from Chicago Ohare to Bahrain via London, and the agent when I checked in insisted on charging me a baggage fee. I told her I was gold status on both airlines(which I was) but her system did not reflect it. She insisted that there was no manager on duty to help me resolve it, and my only choice was to call aadvantage customer service, which I did and they were closed for Memorial Day. So my only choice was to pay and try to get it back later.
3 phone calls and 3 emails later, I am nowhere near getting my money back.
When I call, they tell me I have to email, when I email, I get either a lame response not addressing my request or instructions to call.
Anyone have any suggestions?
3 phone calls and 3 emails later, I am nowhere near getting my money back.
When I call, they tell me I have to email, when I email, I get either a lame response not addressing my request or instructions to call.
Anyone have any suggestions?
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,282
If you've made a reasonable effort to correct it (and I think you have) and you paid via a CC, I'd dispute the charge with my card provider.
If you paid cash or something else that isn't disputable - not sure. Keep calling I guess??
If you paid cash or something else that isn't disputable - not sure. Keep calling I guess??
#3
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: American AAdvantage
Posts: 1,049
If you have a Twitter account, try contacting @AmericanAir. You'll be asked to provide the details via Direct Message and follow them so they can respond likewise.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
DOT rules require that your baggage allowance be printed on your e-ticket receipt. Presumably that shows the free bags. Send that off with your CC dispute and you should see your credit soon enough.
As an aside, it's always worth having a hard copy of your e-ticket receipt. The agent sees what you see on your receipt and that is what will govern your flight. It's also helpful because if you see an error on your e-ticket receipt, e.g., no free bags, you can get that fixed in advance.
As an aside, it's always worth having a hard copy of your e-ticket receipt. The agent sees what you see on your receipt and that is what will govern your flight. It's also helpful because if you see an error on your e-ticket receipt, e.g., no free bags, you can get that fixed in advance.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
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He gave the airline his credit card to pay for the baggage fees, and signed for the charge. You can't agree to the charge, present your card, and then tell your credit card issuer you want a chargeback.
OP: How many bags did you have? How much did you pay?
How much did they weigh? Something doesn't sound right here.
Did your boarding pass show your status?
You stated you were gold on both carriers. Which frequent flyer number was in the reservation? If it was the AA one, did the status show up correctly when you logged into AA.com?
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
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Posts: 11,329
It sounds like the agent was taking advantage of no one being available to correct them. If the OP has status and status says free baggage, then that's what they should get.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 대한민국 (South Korea) - ex-PVG (上海)
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Posts: 1,995
Seems more info is needed. At least one bag is free on most international routes. I assume that this charge was for an excess bag or an overweight bag. I would still try to get AA to refund before going to the CC issuer.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Vistana Chairman
Posts: 6,178
DOT rules require that your baggage allowance be printed on your e-ticket receipt. Presumably that shows the free bags. Send that off with your CC dispute and you should see your credit soon enough.
As an aside, it's always worth having a hard copy of your e-ticket receipt. The agent sees what you see on your receipt and that is what will govern your flight. It's also helpful because if you see an error on your e-ticket receipt, e.g., no free bags, you can get that fixed in advance.
As an aside, it's always worth having a hard copy of your e-ticket receipt. The agent sees what you see on your receipt and that is what will govern your flight. It's also helpful because if you see an error on your e-ticket receipt, e.g., no free bags, you can get that fixed in advance.
BAGGAGE INFORMATION
To enhance security, FAA requirements mandate that customers are allowed one carry-on bag plus one personal item onboard. To learn more about current carry-on baggage allowances including checked bag policies and applicable charges, please visit www.aa.com/baggageinfo.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: AA EXP, PriorityClub Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz Gold fivestar
Posts: 486
DOT rules require that your baggage allowance be printed on your e-ticket receipt. Presumably that shows the free bags. Send that off with your CC dispute and you should see your credit soon enough.
As an aside, it's always worth having a hard copy of your e-ticket receipt. The agent sees what you see on your receipt and that is what will govern your flight. It's also helpful because if you see an error on your e-ticket receipt, e.g., no free bags, you can get that fixed in advance.
As an aside, it's always worth having a hard copy of your e-ticket receipt. The agent sees what you see on your receipt and that is what will govern your flight. It's also helpful because if you see an error on your e-ticket receipt, e.g., no free bags, you can get that fixed in advance.
So I'm not sure the e-ticket receipt would help the OP
#10
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 30,013
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Which airline's FFP number was in your reservation record? AA Gold does not give you any additional checked-baggage allowance on international itineraries.
If you wanted to take advantage of the additional checked-baggage allowance offered to BA Gold elites, you needed to either: 1) have your BAEC account number in your reservation record; or 2) show your BAEC Gold card to the AA agent when checking in at ORD.
Originally Posted by omarhaydar
I was flying from Chicago Ohare to Bahrain via London, and the agent when I checked in insisted on charging me a baggage fee. I told her I was gold status on both airlines(which I was) but her system did not reflect it. She insisted that there was no manager on duty to help me resolve it, and my only choice was to call aadvantage customer service, which I did and they were closed for Memorial Day. So my only choice was to pay and try to get it back later.
3 phone calls and 3 emails later, I am nowhere near getting my money back.
When I call, they tell me I have to email, when I email, I get either a lame response not addressing my request or instructions to call.
Anyone have any suggestions?
3 phone calls and 3 emails later, I am nowhere near getting my money back.
When I call, they tell me I have to email, when I email, I get either a lame response not addressing my request or instructions to call.
Anyone have any suggestions?
If you wanted to take advantage of the additional checked-baggage allowance offered to BA Gold elites, you needed to either: 1) have your BAEC account number in your reservation record; or 2) show your BAEC Gold card to the AA agent when checking in at ORD.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midwest/Mideast (ORD/DTW/FNT/BAH)
Programs: QR Gold/Gulf Air Gold/UA Gold
Posts: 345
Thanks for the responses.
I had 3 bags, and even combined the weight did not exceed the weight limit for 2.
The agent told me that if my gold status on either airline was indicated, she would not charge me for the extra bag.
It was a gulf air ticket, and the reservation had both my gulf air ff number (for the gulf air leg) and my AAdvantage (for the American Air leg).
I guess I will wait for the last reply from American and then dispute the charge to my cc if it is not satisfactory.
I had 3 bags, and even combined the weight did not exceed the weight limit for 2.
The agent told me that if my gold status on either airline was indicated, she would not charge me for the extra bag.
It was a gulf air ticket, and the reservation had both my gulf air ff number (for the gulf air leg) and my AAdvantage (for the American Air leg).
I guess I will wait for the last reply from American and then dispute the charge to my cc if it is not satisfactory.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midwest/Mideast (ORD/DTW/FNT/BAH)
Programs: QR Gold/Gulf Air Gold/UA Gold
Posts: 345
I did also present my Gulf Air Gold card and my Aadvantage gold old card and receipt for my payment to renew my Aadvantage gold to the agent, to no avail.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
Thanks for the responses.
I had 3 bags, and even combined the weight did not exceed the weight limit for 2.
The agent told me that if my gold status on either airline was indicated, she would not charge me for the extra bag.
It was a gulf air ticket, and the reservation had both my gulf air ff number (for the gulf air leg) and my AAdvantage (for the American Air leg).
I guess I will wait for the last reply from American and then dispute the charge to my cc if it is not satisfactory.
I had 3 bags, and even combined the weight did not exceed the weight limit for 2.
The agent told me that if my gold status on either airline was indicated, she would not charge me for the extra bag.
It was a gulf air ticket, and the reservation had both my gulf air ff number (for the gulf air leg) and my AAdvantage (for the American Air leg).
I guess I will wait for the last reply from American and then dispute the charge to my cc if it is not satisfactory.
a 3rd bag would indeed get an extra bag fee, and there is no extra baggage allowance on international flights for AAdvantage Gold.
It doesn't matter about the weight, bag allowances are calculated on a piece per piece basis.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Thanks for the responses.
I had 3 bags, and even combined the weight did not exceed the weight limit for 2.
The agent told me that if my gold status on either airline was indicated, she would not charge me for the extra bag.
It was a gulf air ticket, and the reservation had both my gulf air ff number (for the gulf air leg) and my AAdvantage (for the American Air leg).
I guess I will wait for the last reply from American and then dispute the charge to my cc if it is not satisfactory.
I had 3 bags, and even combined the weight did not exceed the weight limit for 2.
The agent told me that if my gold status on either airline was indicated, she would not charge me for the extra bag.
It was a gulf air ticket, and the reservation had both my gulf air ff number (for the gulf air leg) and my AAdvantage (for the American Air leg).
I guess I will wait for the last reply from American and then dispute the charge to my cc if it is not satisfactory.
You exceeded the piece limit.
Gold status on neither carrier gets you an extra bag. So, you should be charged for the third bag.
You are still skipping the answers needed.
How much did you pay?
If it was just for the 3rd bag, then you should have been charged.
By what basis are you saying you get 3 free bags?
Even Gulf Air doesn't say you get 3 free
Falcon Gold
If the AA flight is a codehare
"Two checked pieces, provided that the total linear dimensions (height + width + depth) for each bag does not exceed 158 cm (62 inches) and the weight of each bag does not exceed 32 kg (70 lbs)"
If the flight is NOT a Gulf Air codeshare, you get the baggage limit for that carrier.
"Gulf Air tickets issued for travel on other Airlines to/from the USA and Canada
If you purchase a Gulf Air ticket to/from the USA or Canada that involves a connection with a flight operated by another airline (for American Airlines see policy above), your free baggage allowance is based on a combination of how many piece(s) you can carry and a maximum weight per individual piece. Individual airlines have varying policies on this"
http://www.gulfair.com/English/info/...llowances.aspx
Last edited by mvoight; Jul 10, 2014 at 4:03 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
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Posts: 21,422
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Which airline's FFP number was in your reservation record? AA Gold does not give you any additional checked-baggage allowance on international itineraries.
If you wanted to take advantage of the additional checked-baggage allowance offered to BA Gold elites, you needed to either: 1) have your BAEC account number in your reservation record; or 2) show your BAEC Gold card to the AA agent when checking in at ORD.
Which airline's FFP number was in your reservation record? AA Gold does not give you any additional checked-baggage allowance on international itineraries.
If you wanted to take advantage of the additional checked-baggage allowance offered to BA Gold elites, you needed to either: 1) have your BAEC account number in your reservation record; or 2) show your BAEC Gold card to the AA agent when checking in at ORD.