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ARCHIVE: Long call wait / delay / hold times for AA phone lines

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Old Mar 8, 2021, 11:15 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: JDiver
ARCHIVE of 2015-2019 posts on this topic.

For current thread, please see here.


AA operates non-status, Gold, Platinum and Platinum Pro combined call center as well as Executive Platinum, Concierge Key dedicated call centers.

Read on for alternatives


There can be several causes of lengthy call answering, among them irregular or off schedule operations (OSO / IROPS) caused by weather.

● Call wait times extend as OSO develop - storms, etc. particularly affecting hubs, which produce knock-on effects that may persist a day or two.

● You can see current AA travel policies: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInform...avelAlerts.jsp

● You can always check FlightStats current North America airport delays, for example, to see how things are - here.

● For other useful links, tools etc. see the wiki for AA OSO, IROPS / IRROPS, delay, cancelation etc. resources (master thread).

Try using the AA Twitter team: @AmericanAir can help. Send them a request they follow you so you can send them DM (Direct Messages), then you can send them your AAdvantage number and EP status,which they can add to their profile on you. Then you can DM them privately with your PNR etc. (You must have a Twitter account.) This can be useful and rapid.

● At times like these AA may open their OSO (Off-Schedule Operations) desk to help inconvenienced travelers. 800-446-7834 is the number, and the desk is only staffed during severe OSO. (Please call only if your travel is disrupted, of course.)

● Others have called 1.800.222.2377 (web services) and had shorter response times.

● If you speak Castilian Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, Japanese or use a TDD, you may get faster attention; see numbers below.

● You can try calling non-USA numbers, listed here:

bchandler42 reports "During weather events, the elite line will have the option to press 1 for the callback. I use that, longest I've ever waited was about 40 minutes which was accurate with the expected time it gave me."

giblet called Thailand using Skype (2.3 cents a minute).

● There is one call-handling nexus, with prioritized lines for Gold, Platinum and Platinum Pro status holders, and separate Executive Platinum and Concierge Key "desks". Gold, Platinum and Platinum Pro callers are prioritized to be answered by the same agents that respond to non-status customers.


Code:
Telephone numbers for speakers of Castilian Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, Japanese:
 
 English (Inglés)
 1-800-433-7300
 7 days a week
 
 Japanese 1-800-237-0027
 6:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. CT 7 days a week
 
 Mandarin Chinese 1-800-492-8095
 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. CT Mon - Fri
 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. CT Sat and Sun
 
 Spanish 1-800-633-3711 7 días a la semana
 
 TDD 1-800-543-1586
 (for hearing impaired or deaf people /
 para personas con discapacidad auditiva o del habla)
Link to archived previous posts in ARCHIVE: Long wait / delay / hold times for AA phone lines (2014)
[/FONT]

"Transplanted from another post, for those affected overseas.

So many ways of calling AA directly; I'd try:

AT&T.
Smartphones that will automatically switch to using Internet for calls.
Skype 2 cents per minute), Google Hangouts or other VOIP services, including WiFi or Internet.

English 800-433-7300 24 hours, Daily

Japan +81 03-4333-7675

If you are calling from outside the U.S. or Canada, you may reach U.S. Reservations by using the following procedures. (Please note that the call is not toll free.)
  • Access the website http://www.business.att.com/bt/access.jsp. The site lists eligible countries and phone numbers.
  • Dial the AT&T access number provided on the website (it is different for each country).
  • An AT&T operator or English language voice prompt will ask for the telephone number you are calling. Dial 800-433-7300 for all American Airlines departments (except AAdvantage) or dial 800-882-8880 for the AAdvantage department.
  • After the tone, enter your regular AT&T Calling Card number (not the international number). You may also use the AT&T Corporate Calling card and many other U.S. local phone company cards. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover/Novus or Diners Club cards can be used from many countries to place calls back to the U.S.
  • For assistance, press zero or stay on the line for an AT&T operator.
Also:

Originally Posted by Dr. HFH
I'm currently in BKK, and needed to talk to AA about my rezzy. I didn't want the local number which would be answered in who-knows-where, I wanted a direct US number. Looked around both AA.com and FT (which is how I found this thread). Found nothing particularly helpful or which worked. The back of my EXP card has only an 800 number for the U.S., no local DFW area number.

Eventually, I just dialed +1-800-xxx-xxxx, the regular 800 number on the back of my EXP card, the same way I dial regular, non-800 numbers from abroad. Voila!!! I was connected with the EXP desk, just as if I were in the U.S.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MODERATOR'S NOTE


There are several ways to contact AA's U.S. numbers by telephone from outside the U.S. & Canada:

1) Those with Skype, Google Hangouts or other VOIP internet phone providers may be able to dial various AA 800 numbers directly toll free. Direct dialing an 800 number from a landline or mobile phone overseas may or may not work, and will not be toll free.

2) Use AT&T World Traveler Service to access AA 800 numbers from overseas. Long distance charges will apply and can be paid using an AT&T Calling Card, AT&T Prepaid Phone Card, credit card, or via collect call. AAdvantage elite customers (GLD, PLT, EXP) can dial their elite 800 number using this service and AT&T's systems will recognize these numbers and put the call through without asking for a payment method.

3) Call the AMR Headquarters number at 1-817-963-1234 from any telephone. Either an operator or the IVR system can then connect you with the appropriate department.

In addition, AA provides local numbers in many countries here: Worldwide Reservations Phone Numbers

See also the AA Wiki for additional information: Contacting American Airlines

This thread was extracted from an outdated 2002 thread, and merged with recent posts on this topic.

dstan
AA Forum Co-Moderator
and

Link to USA airport delays (FlightAware)

Link to FlightAware “Misery Map” (graphic representation of troubles on a USA map)

Link to AA cancelled flights today (FlightAware)

Link to cancelled flights (today, to two days out - FlightAware)

Link to FT Original Routing Credit thread in cases of involuntary reroute

Link to archive of this thread, posts 2015-2019





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ARCHIVE: Long call wait / delay / hold times for AA phone lines

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Old Jun 24, 2018, 10:40 pm
  #901  
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DTW / SJC
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
Originally Posted by JDiver
AFAIK, the callback feature doesn’t take your status into account, so it’s inaccurate for EPs anyway.
Hm, I'm not sure if that's true. When I was Gold the last two years, I never got callback estimates greater than 20 min even during IRROPS.
During the PSA mess last week, I was given a callback estimate of 7 minutes while wait times for those without status were over 2 hours.
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Old Jul 12, 2018, 6:38 pm
  #902  
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
2+ Hours for a call back on the EXP line. Made a call to general reservations and it's quoting 6 minutes for a call back. Wow. They have really managed to screw up what was once a great thing (EXP Desk).

Last edited by SNA_Flyer; Jul 12, 2018 at 6:49 pm
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Old Jul 12, 2018, 7:28 pm
  #903  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Posts: 964
Originally Posted by SNA_Flyer
2+ Hours for a call back on the EXP line. Made a call to general reservations and it's quoting 6 minutes for a call back. Wow. They have really managed to screw up what was once a great thing (EXP Desk).
I called the Gold? line 30 minutes ago and the estimated call back time was 57 mins to 1hr 18mins. Automated message said it was due to bad weather in their hubs. Ummm where are the storms at? It’s a gorgeous evening here in Chicago.
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Old Jul 12, 2018, 7:33 pm
  #904  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,146
Originally Posted by MSP_Monopoly
Ummm where are the storms at?
At AA's biggest hub - DFW. Many rounds of thunderstorms this afternoon / evening. Lots of delays.
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Old Jul 12, 2018, 7:34 pm
  #905  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
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Originally Posted by MSP_Monopoly


I called the Gold? line 30 minutes ago and the estimated call back time was 57 mins to 1hr 18mins. Automated message said it was due to bad weather in their hubs. Ummm where are the storms at? It’s a gorgeous evening here in Chicago.
DFW? Try looking at the FlightAware Misery Map. The link is also in the Wikipost at the top of the page.
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Old Jul 13, 2018, 12:09 am
  #906  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 1,204
Originally Posted by SNA_Flyer
2+ Hours for a call back on the EXP line. Made a call to general reservations and it's quoting 6 minutes for a call back. Wow. They have really managed to screw up what was once a great thing (EXP Desk).
I was quoted 2 hours for a callback today as a Plat Pro, and I was anxious about a delay SNA-DFW causing me to misconnect the last flight out of the day DFW-IAH. Unfortunately there were huge lines at the ticket counter Priorirty line, the gates, and even the SNA Admirals Club. Sure wish AA had enabled dynamic reaccom!
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Old Jul 13, 2018, 1:25 am
  #907  
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
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Posts: 4,378
I, too, was quoted 2 hours for a callback, and that’s easily what it was. An unsatisfactory and rather rude call, too. So glad I bothered to requalify for EXP.
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Old Jul 13, 2018, 7:00 am
  #908  
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Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Originally Posted by ralphs


I was quoted 2 hours for a callback today as a Plat Pro, and I was anxious about a delay SNA-DFW causing me to misconnect the last flight out of the day DFW-IAH. Unfortunately there were huge lines at the ticket counter Priorirty line, the gates, and even the SNA Admirals Club. Sure wish AA had enabled dynamic reaccom!
Did you try the OSO number for flight changes? I would like to think the high status lines would have some priority but that doesn't seem to be the case. I don't recall anything about the Plat Pro's getting anything more than moved up in the queues like they do for other non-EXPs.
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 8:54 am
  #909  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Is there a mini-meltdown going on that nobody is talking about? Tried calling several times this morning and it says high call volume, blames weather, try later, and hangs up.
thunderlounge is offline  
Old Jul 23, 2018, 9:19 am
  #910  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 698
Originally Posted by thunderlounge
Is there a mini-meltdown going on that nobody is talking about? Tried calling several times this morning and it says high call volume, blames weather, try later, and hangs up.
Lots of storms on and off yesterday in the north east
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 12:43 pm
  #911  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Thanks @mysterym. Guess I didn't think about those having near the impact they seem to have had. Not being in the NE, the news here tends to be brief (if at all) in coverage on weather in other places unless it is really, really bad.
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 1:06 pm
  #912  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
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Originally Posted by thunderlounge
Is there a mini-meltdown going on that nobody is talking about? Tried calling several times this morning and it says high call volume, blames weather, try later, and hangs up.
There was a rumor that a sAAver business seat to Europe on non-757 American metal was available for booking
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 2:46 pm
  #913  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Originally Posted by enpremiere
There was a rumor that a sAAver business seat to Europe on non-757 American metal was available for booking

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Old Jul 23, 2018, 4:04 pm
  #914  
nrr
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Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
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This is 2018, AA (and other airlines) should have the capability of dealing with flt cancellations/disruptions via sophisticated programming (AI)--initially this may take time, but the rewards will be: no waits for phone agents and/or GAs.
[A different but related issue, re dealing with phone agents; I chose intl bc seats based on info gleaned from AAs seat maps and seat guru: for my solo "window" seats, did they (1)actually have a window, (2)did they face forward, (3)did they abut the window, (4)would toilets and/or galleys nearby present noise issues (5)does the plane configuration as listed on AA.COM match what seat guru thinks it is? There was no one source that had correct info for (1)-(5)...so had to call the exp line, wasting that agents time when she could deal with more pressing issues, like processing SWU upgrades, which also should be capable of automation...]
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Old Jul 23, 2018, 4:34 pm
  #915  
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,031
Originally Posted by thunderlounge
Is there a mini-meltdown going on that nobody is talking about? Tried calling several times this morning and it says high call volume, blames weather, try later, and hangs up.
I had to call in 2x for changes due to WX delays this afternoon. I'm an EP but was SHOCKED the system didn't offer to call me later when it's my turn. Both times the agents answered my call within ~15 seconds! 👍
IAHtraveler is offline  


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