Does AA not late check bags / baggage?
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
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You misunderstand. The reason for the baggage cut off is that this is the time AA believes is required for the bag to make its way to TSA, be screened, delivered and loaded on the aircraft without delaying the aircraft and without subjecting AA to the costs associated with the Montreal Convention which include delivering the bag to you and reimbursing your necessities during the day or two it is delayed.
The problem with the 3-minute supervisor override is that it's 3 minutes, not 4 minutes and you were at a minimum of 5. You also have to be lucky enough to find a supervisor right at the position because the clock is ticking against you.
Change fees are not the cost of changing your ticket. They are a penalty assessed for making the change. They protect the fully flexible brand as nobody in their right mind would pay for flexibility if they could have it for free.
This may well be covered by insurance because of the underlying reason for the delay. I would start there.
But, blaming AA for enforcing the fare rules which you yourself chose seems a bit harsh unless AA caused the traffic issue.
The problem with the 3-minute supervisor override is that it's 3 minutes, not 4 minutes and you were at a minimum of 5. You also have to be lucky enough to find a supervisor right at the position because the clock is ticking against you.
Change fees are not the cost of changing your ticket. They are a penalty assessed for making the change. They protect the fully flexible brand as nobody in their right mind would pay for flexibility if they could have it for free.
This may well be covered by insurance because of the underlying reason for the delay. I would start there.
But, blaming AA for enforcing the fare rules which you yourself chose seems a bit harsh unless AA caused the traffic issue.
The fully flexible brand is just ludicrous, outrageous, almost comically priced.
My insurance did not cover that, I checked.
#77
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
#80
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
"Common sense" to me would be that if I had purchased a ticket which had a $200 change fee , then a $200 change fee plus fare difference would be charged if I wanted to make a change
It would also seem to be common sense that people should accept responsibility for their actions rather than blame the airline for simply following the rules
#81
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Join Date: Aug 2014
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Anyway, to recap, I posted this as a cautionary tale and vending, to not be lulled into some sense of complacency when you fly short hops to Mexico and the Caribbean, just because the flights are short; they have completely different rules (international) and AA will be strictly enforcing them, and status won't save you.
However, the other point I am making is that these flights may be should be treated the same as domestic due to how short they are, I doubt it it takes longer to load the luggage on a 737 to CUN vs MIA, so, similar cut-off times and no change fees are reasonable proposals, or at least allow same day flight changes and flat-tire rules. Very minimally, if they want to treat them as international, they should also give lounge access, but AA (and others) make the rules arbitrarily as they like, to maximize profit.
However, the other point I am making is that these flights may be should be treated the same as domestic due to how short they are, I doubt it it takes longer to load the luggage on a 737 to CUN vs MIA, so, similar cut-off times and no change fees are reasonable proposals, or at least allow same day flight changes and flat-tire rules. Very minimally, if they want to treat them as international, they should also give lounge access, but AA (and others) make the rules arbitrarily as they like, to maximize profit.
#82
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
"Common sense" here seems to be that rules are fine as long as they do not apply to me
"Common sense" to me would be that if I had purchased a ticket which had a $200 change fee , then a $200 change fee plus fare difference would be charged if I wanted to make a change
It would also seem to be common sense that people should accept responsibility for their actions rather than blame the airline for simply following the rules
"Common sense" to me would be that if I had purchased a ticket which had a $200 change fee , then a $200 change fee plus fare difference would be charged if I wanted to make a change
It would also seem to be common sense that people should accept responsibility for their actions rather than blame the airline for simply following the rules
We get it - AA is always right.
#83
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Just because it is not their fault, how does it make it AA's fault?
#84
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
#85
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
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Posts: 6,411
Agree, on a technical basis. But there are also customer service options, sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. I seem to get lucky a lot, probably because I understand a lot about the practicalities, the options, and communicating with people.
An example - as an experienced flyer I was embarrassed, within to past 6 months, to show up at SNA for a flight on SW to SJD, and I forgot that it was under international check-in rules (1 hour), not domestic (45 minutes with luggage). I was supposed to be giving a speech the next day, so I really wanted to get there. After figuring out what I had done I told the agent that I really needed to be there, and what were my options. They said there was a fight leaving in about 3 hours from LAX and they could put me on that one (no discussion of cost, fees, etc.). They told me that they had fixed it in the computer and I got in an Uber and went to LAX for my flight. Calm, easy and LUCKY.
An example - as an experienced flyer I was embarrassed, within to past 6 months, to show up at SNA for a flight on SW to SJD, and I forgot that it was under international check-in rules (1 hour), not domestic (45 minutes with luggage). I was supposed to be giving a speech the next day, so I really wanted to get there. After figuring out what I had done I told the agent that I really needed to be there, and what were my options. They said there was a fight leaving in about 3 hours from LAX and they could put me on that one (no discussion of cost, fees, etc.). They told me that they had fixed it in the computer and I got in an Uber and went to LAX for my flight. Calm, easy and LUCKY.
Last edited by sbrower; May 4, 2018 at 9:22 pm
#86
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posts: 67
Similar happened to me. I arrived in LAX late from LHR due to a security issue on the BA plane. Even though I originally had a four window in between flights by the time I got out of customs control and to the AA domestic terminal I was 39 mins out from the flight. Was told there was no way no how I could get on even thought it’s was the last flight of the night. Told them I didn’t care when how or my luggage arrived I just needed to get to vegas. And they told me no and since I was flying on a separate ticket there was nothing they could do.
Is is quite unfortunate. Ended up costing me an extra $200 out of pocket to spend the night in LA... I much rather would have flown in and paid for my own luggage to get it later in the next day.
Wish they had. A policy where you could just sign a waiver or something.
Is is quite unfortunate. Ended up costing me an extra $200 out of pocket to spend the night in LA... I much rather would have flown in and paid for my own luggage to get it later in the next day.
Wish they had. A policy where you could just sign a waiver or something.