hillrider

That is correct -- customer protection in the US pretty much sucl<s, so you're at the mercy of the airline's unilaterally-imposed 'conditions of carriage' which you had to accept by "adhesion" (you cannot negotiate your contract) when you forked over your hard-earned money or pre-paid FF miles. In AA's case, they state:Translated into English, it means that AA doesn't have to do anything when schedule changes! And that's totally legal.

Pretty amazing, isn't it?

brp

Fortunately they almost always do the right thing in these cases, so the fact that they aren't required to isn't terribly relevant to the realities.

Cheers.

hillrider

Well, people here rightfully (this is FT after all) asked for a source for the information saying that they would issue a refund, and the only relevant (and quite real) source of information is the one that says they aren't required to anything.

I recognize that they "almost always" do the right thing, but that's besides the point of providing the source info to those who requested it.

brp

Which had, of course, already been pointed out without the heavy-handed language.

But, yes, your admonitions of complete lack-of-culpability and the potential for skulduggery are quite correct.

Cheers,

highschoolband

The conditions of carriage do say this, however, in general, the ticket rules state that you can refund a ticket due to a schedule change. I don't know if Conditions override fare rules, or the other way around, or if it's just a grey area.

Happy

I think your problem would be, the waive of fee usually would be to cancel the ticket first, AND the refund goes back to ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT, unless you book same itinerary with new schedule as replacement - which is of course NOT what you want to see happen.

I have had similar case with CO who would Gladly waive the fee, BUT it would be full refund to Original Form of Payment. Or, I can choose to pay the ticket change fee but keep the credit with me!

Let us know what is the final outcome.

mvoight

The stuff you quoted said they aren't responsible for "damages", it doesn't say they won't refund your money if there is a schedule change.

Another poster made a remark about a 2 hour change being needed.
I had AA award tickets from Lima to Julica on Lan Peru and got a no charge mileage redepost when the last flight was changed to 1/2 hour earlier. So, it wasn't like I could give up my earlier plans and take that flight, and there was no option for a later flight.

hillrider

Well, nothing in the Conditions of Carriage says that they are forbidden do something to your favor that isn't specifically contemplated in the Conditions of Carriage itself.

The relevant part here is that the Conditions of Carriage contains an obligation to take you when it pleases them (i.e. being subject to a schedule change is part of the contract when you buy the ticket), not to refund the money if the schedule changes -- and you're absolutely right, it doesn't say that they're forbidding that the money be returned, but this is small consolation to the poster who's looking for certainty on his/her case.

hillrider

Can you please quote the exact passage of the ticket rules? I've read hundred/thousand of them, and they simply don't say that (but I will to stand corrected of presented with evidence otherwise--please provide).

Deltahater

I just want to clarify that there is absolutely no time limit required on what constitutes a schedule change. This one of those rumors that keeps perpetuating on FT while lacking any foundation.

The only time a time frame becomes relevant is when it is over 90 minutes as that allows you (the pax) to request a refund to your credit card, while anything else should be credited via vouchers.


Even a 2 minute schedule change counts as a schedule change.

brp

True. But since you're entitled to nothing in the event of a schedule change of any length, they can certainly (and likely would) deny any change/refund in this case. That would obviously be a reasonable response.

Cheers.

Deltahater

Not much is reasonable with airlines.

IMHE and data points from others on here, while you may not be legally entitled to anything, AA is very good about working with you in these situations, so if you are armed with rule 80/240 and have a positive attitude, not one of entitlement, you most likely will get what you want

Speaking of legal entitlement.. when you buy an airline ticket, you are not entitled to air transportation. You are entitled to be transported in the general direction of your destination within 4 hours of departure time in most cases. That could include bus travel.

brp

My point was that they do seem to do the "right thing" in most cases, even though they don't have to (Rules 80 and 240 are not relevant as they are not binding- merely provided as suggestions in the Agency section). For a "large" change they do seem to work with people. I doubt that they'd do anything for a 2, or 5, or even 15 minute change. That falls outside the do the "right thing" area. Quoting non-binding "rules" would be unlikely to change this. I consider that approach reasonable.

Cheers.

sbrower

I am surprised that no one has posted the actual CoC regarding refund for schedule change. As you can see, you are entitled to a refund for a schedule change. [The other language means that AA isn't responsible for damages based on "I missed my meeting" or "I am very upset"]

sbrower

I have thought about this further. It has been my experience that the language I quoted is the correct answer (i.e. - you are entitled to a refund for a schedule change and there is no "90 minute" rule - although there are probably some "negotiating" guidelines to avoid refunds for 5 minute changes.)

Of course, it is also possible that this is an artifact, from when the policy was different, and we will see it disappear in future rules. But I don't think that will happen. Jet Blue, for example, formally announced (at some time - don't remember the details) that they require as 12 hour delay before they will refund a ticket. That convinced me never to book a business flight on Jet Blue. AA has always been smarter and I expect that they will continue their current rules.