Last edit by: JDiver
2016 Questions about, guide to, and listing of, compensation (consolidated)
Welcome to the "2016 Guide to, and listing of, compensation" thread!
In keeping with tradition, we'd like to ask members to report their compensation in the following format:
- Date
- AAdvantage Status
- Fare class
- What happened
- Compensation
- Comments
• JGR01 has created a spreadsheet parsing posts in this thread from 2003-2007, available for download here
• AA's official policy regarding compensation for delays, cancellations, and diversions is as follows (thanks to tom911 for posting):
DELAYS, CANCELLATIONS AND DIVERSIONS
American Airlines will provide customers at the airport and onboard an affected aircraft with timely and frequent updates regarding known delays, cancellations and diversions and will strive to provide the best available information concerning the duration of delays and to the extent available, the flight's anticipated departure time.
We are not responsible for any special, incidental or consequential damages if we do not meet this commitment.
When cancellations and major delays are experienced, you will be rerouted on our next flight with available seats. If the delay or cancellation was caused by events within our control and we do not get you to your final destination on the expected arrival day, we will provide reasonable overnight accommodations, subject to availability.
In extreme circumstances, it is possible that a flight will cancel while on the ground in the city to which it was diverted. When this happens you will be rerouted on the next American flight with available seats, or in some circumstances on another airline or some other alternative means of transportation. If we are unable to reroute you, reasonable overnight accommodations will be provided by American, subject to availability.
American will provide amenities for delayed passengers, necessary to maintain the safety and/or welfare of certain passengers such as customers with disabilities, unaccompanied children, the elderly or others to whom such amenities will be furnished consistent with special needs and/or circumstances.
American Airlines will provide customers at the airport and onboard an affected aircraft with timely and frequent updates regarding known delays, cancellations and diversions and will strive to provide the best available information concerning the duration of delays and to the extent available, the flight's anticipated departure time.
We are not responsible for any special, incidental or consequential damages if we do not meet this commitment.
When cancellations and major delays are experienced, you will be rerouted on our next flight with available seats. If the delay or cancellation was caused by events within our control and we do not get you to your final destination on the expected arrival day, we will provide reasonable overnight accommodations, subject to availability.
In extreme circumstances, it is possible that a flight will cancel while on the ground in the city to which it was diverted. When this happens you will be rerouted on the next American flight with available seats, or in some circumstances on another airline or some other alternative means of transportation. If we are unable to reroute you, reasonable overnight accommodations will be provided by American, subject to availability.
American will provide amenities for delayed passengers, necessary to maintain the safety and/or welfare of certain passengers such as customers with disabilities, unaccompanied children, the elderly or others to whom such amenities will be furnished consistent with special needs and/or circumstances.
Contrary to the belief of some, airlines are not required to compensate passengers for “damages” when flights are delayed or canceled. Compensation is required by law only when you are “bumped” from a flight that is oversold. Airlines almost always refuse to pay passengers for financial losses resulting from a delayed flight. If the purpose of your trip is to close a potentially lucrative business deal, to give a speech or lecture, to attend a family function, or to be present at any time-sensitive event, you might want to allow a little extra time and take an earlier flight. In other words, airline delays and cancellations are not unusual, and defensive planning is a good idea when time is your most important consideration.
Also see (FT) EC261 / EC 261/2004 complaints, compensation and AA (master thread)
(The other compensation threads are archived and closed, but can easily be accessed for reading here:
2015 Questions about, guide to, listing of, compensation (consolidated - archived)
2014 Questions about, guide to, listing of, compensation (consolidated - archived)
2013 Questions about, guide to, and listing of compensation (archived)
Guide to, and listing of, compensation (2012 - archived)
Guide to, and listing of, compensation (2003 - 2011 archived)
AA Forum Moderator Team
2016 Questions about, guide to, and listing of, compensation (consolidated-archived)
#61
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
HKG has excellent free wifi across most of the airport, and it handles Skype calls nicely. Not to defend AA in any way, but in future, do not spend $3/minute. Skype calls to US toll-free numbers are free.
#62
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
You beat me to it. Skype is a must-have app, and many major airports now have free WiFi making it an easy option in situations like this.
#63
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott, AAdvantage, United, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,687
#65
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
File complaint with DOT. Teach those mean airlines a lesson
#66
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
OP. So it looks like you can still go to BKK, but it's just in X(Economy) instead of U(Business). In that case, you must demonstrate to AA when you confirm the ticket, you need to show AA why it was their fault.(eTicket clearly showed business class when incorrect fare code was used, etc.)
I hope DFWI would be able to help you. Good luck.
#67
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
#68
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: BA GGL; AA LT Gold; AS 100K; DL MM GM; Hyatt G*list, Hilton Diamond; SQ silver
Posts: 3,806
OP, you say you were stuck in the transit area. Are you talking about the lower level of HKG arrival? You could have shown a printout of your itinerary to any of the security checks and go to the CX lounge to sort out the problem more comfortably and probably also get a more sympathetic help from CX, possibly having them handle the call to AA.
#69
Join Date: May 2004
Location: HYI/AUS/SAT originally TTN/EWR/PHL
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards, Jetblue TrueBlue, American Advantage
Posts: 1,190
2 hour delay compensation due to mx
On AA769 tonight and we have been delayed close to 2 hour due to a problem arming one of the doors. They gave us a new plane and we're waiting now. Not saying I'm entitled to compensation but just wondering if any will be offered by American. I upgraded to F at check-in. So I really have no complaints
#70
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Back in the day they would sometimes do so proactively; not so sure about anymore. Fire off a quick note through the online form and they'll probably give you 5000-7500ish miles.
I know that not everyone shares this opinion but any time I run into a mechanical delay I do like to send in a feedback form. Not a crazy rant, but just saying I choose AA to get me from A to B and reliability matters, and I was disappointed by the problem. Maybe it gets me labeled as a chronic complainer, but on the other hand if it does any good in reminding AA that operational performance matters to its customers, then I feel like I'm doing my duty in that regard.
I know that not everyone shares this opinion but any time I run into a mechanical delay I do like to send in a feedback form. Not a crazy rant, but just saying I choose AA to get me from A to B and reliability matters, and I was disappointed by the problem. Maybe it gets me labeled as a chronic complainer, but on the other hand if it does any good in reminding AA that operational performance matters to its customers, then I feel like I'm doing my duty in that regard.
#71
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
AA keeps records, I for one would not ask, you paid for a safe flight, they had every right to delay the departure.
#72
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
That's not really relevant. OP was inconvenienced by a significant mechanical delay, and has every right to complain or ask for compensation. Maintenance and mechanical issues are generally regarded as events within an airline's control.
#73
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Old AA would have proactively sent you some miles into your account.
New AA fka US Airways won't give you a damn thing.
New AA fka US Airways won't give you a damn thing.
#74
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: los angeles
Programs: Hyatt Courtesy card. Delta 2MM Diamond. AA platinum pro
Posts: 1,898
About 2 months ago, LAX-JFK there was about a 3 hour delay- mechanical. My partner (PLT) and I (EXP) each received 5000 miles within 48 hours- without asking.
#75
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold
Posts: 1,887
Date: 29 JAN 2016
Flight: 945 DFW-SCL
AAdvantage Status: EXP
Fare class: C (upgrade from Y)
What happened: 10 hour overnight MX
Compensation: Hotel and meal vouchers, 8,000 miles proactively deposited
Comments: I've had similar delays in the past and received significantly more miles. Dougie effect?
UPDATE: After sending a mostly complimentary email to AA regarding how the delay was handled (from my perspective, at least), an additional 7,000 miles were deposited to my account. So total RDM compensation is 15,000 miles, which ain't bad, in my book.
Flight: 945 DFW-SCL
AAdvantage Status: EXP
Fare class: C (upgrade from Y)
What happened: 10 hour overnight MX
Compensation: Hotel and meal vouchers, 8,000 miles proactively deposited
Comments: I've had similar delays in the past and received significantly more miles. Dougie effect?
UPDATE: After sending a mostly complimentary email to AA regarding how the delay was handled (from my perspective, at least), an additional 7,000 miles were deposited to my account. So total RDM compensation is 15,000 miles, which ain't bad, in my book.
Last edited by zpaul; Feb 4, 2016 at 8:59 am