bigboy61

Greetings! Lurker here .
Anyway, three of us will be traveling on AA to Kauai this summer. We booked it with the aadvantage card and the primary card holders name is in the reservation. One of the legs got canceled, so AA rebooked all the flights to Kauai. They even had the flight originate at a closer airport (which was nice)! Anyhow, one of the flights is now a codeshare operated by Hawaiian Airlines. The rep from AA said we would still get our free baggage, but the Citi terms seem to indicate otherwise. AA states the following:

"All flights on the itinerary must be domestic flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle.This benefit will not be available for travel on codeshare flights booked with an American Airlines flight number but operated by another airline. "

I don't trust the rep as I have heard of others being led astray by them. Does anyone have a definitive answer on whether we will get our 3 checked bags free? Has anyone done this before?

Thanks a ton!
bigboy61

guv1976

Don't hold your breath.

A couple of years ago, my AA award flight OGG-LAX was cancelled, and I was re-accommodated on an HA flight leaving around the same time. HA dinged me $25 for a checked bag. I am Lifetime Gold with AA, and probably held a qualifying AA credit card at the time too. None of that mattered to HA -- nor should it.

I thought about pursuing the issue with AA for either a refund or some miles as a customer-service gesture, but since it was only $25, I opted not to pursue it.

bigboy61

Thanks for the reply! I wish they would make this a lot more consumer friendly. It's a shame that you really can't find out until you get to the airport. By then, if you don't get the checked baggage, you are hung. I guess they might do it on purpose.... :/ We are going to try to take advantage of 2 accompanying passenger' free checked baggage (as we are all in the same reservation). If it doesn't work out, it will be $75. Sigh...

flyerguy1975

Flights MUST be marketed and Operated by AA for baggage waiver. Sorry you were rebooked you will not get the baggage waiver on AS and AA won't refund it since they can't refund something charged by AS.

You need to address it BEFORE you fly with reservations or customer relations.

bigboy61

Delete

bigboy61

Good evening! Thanks for your reply! What do you suggest I say/do? Twice CS agents from AA have said I would get the perk. Once when the flight to Kauai was rebooked and one today both said it didn't matter. I don't believe either. I think you guys know better than those agents . Should we try calling CITI?

JDiver

Citi can't do much about that. I'd suggest taking the flights and contacting AA on your return, requesting the baggage fees (or miles) given this was an involuntary reroute and you were told there would be no charge by two AA employees. Of course if your first flight is AA they shouldn't charge you and should interline your baggage to HA, as long as all flights are on the same PNR.

flyerguy1975

There is no need to call Citi or reservations back - call AAdvantage customer service (800-882-8880 M-Friday only) and alert them to the situation. They will not be able to change the situation, but you have more power before you fly rather than after- Explain that your new flights are no longer on AA- They aren't rez so they aren't looking at your reservation.

You can ask for bonus miles if miles are important to you and basically that is all that department can do- they don't handle money or vouchers.

Customer relations handles vouchers- BUT- the minute they see in writing you didn't get your AAdvantage Citi benefit they transfer the email to AAdvantage customer service and you would again only get miles- if your account was documented before you fly.

So if you are looking for a voucher equal to the value of the baggage waiver, you would need to politely specify that in your email to customer relations and ask NOT TO FORWARD to AADVANTAGE since you want money/voucher due to reaccom on other airline and you were entitled to receive the free bags on your original ticket.

Easiest thing would be for REZ to rebook you on AA if at all possible!

Luckily you have time to make some calls and work it out. Nothing worse than getting to the airport and expecting something and it doesn't work out.

bigboy61

Thank you both for your well-thought replies! The flight does originate on AA. In fact, two of the three legs are on AA. Just the last one from HNL to LIH is on HA. Does that make a difference?

bigboy61

Any takers?

qupasyd

I first posted this question in the Newbie Lounge. I was referred to this thread, which seems like the better place to ask.

I'm just wondering if anyone has had experience receiving the free bag benefit from a Citi card yet crediting the flight miles elsewhere. (I'd like to credit mine to Alaska.) I've done something similar with a Delta Amex, but Delta allows you to update your FF# on your PNR at any time while American doesn't. Could I maybe leave my AA# on the record, check in with a free bag, and then call AA or speak to a gate agent to switch the FF# to AS?

mudley

I booked a flight with miles and paid the "tax" with my AA mastercard, still got charged for one 25 pound checked bag. Wasn't I supposed to get a free bag check? I argued with the agent who just told me to keep my receipts. Should I try to dispute the $25 charge on my CC?

josmul123

As per this thread (Which I'm assuming your thread will be merged into):
[Removed Circular Reference]

Was your entire trip domestic?
Do you hold a Citi AAdvantage card or Barclay's Aviator Red or Silver card?
Was your credit card account open at least 7 days prior to departure?
Was your AA number on the reservation at least 7 days prior to departure?

If so, your free bag benefit should have applied, and I would contact AA to get a refund.

Take a look at that thread (particularly the wiki) to see if there's some other gotcha I didn't cover.

mudley

yes to all questions, I will try, is this an AA problem or the credit card company

mudley

thanks i called the cc, they gave me the credit