Sep 12, 2017, 11:19 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AA Bookings to/from Hurricane Affected Areas 2017 - AA Policy
Link to aa.com Travel Alerts page, including Hurricane areas bookings for the remainder of 2017.
NOTE: Policy as of the end of Sep 2017 for SJU, STT, STX has changed again. See this post.
AA is waiving change fees for certain bookings to / from hurricane impacted areas in the southeast USA and Caribbean. The actual policy varies considerably and depends on the specific destination, and may change again in response to actual conditions on the ground.
E.g. For SXM / Princess Juliana Airport at Philipsburg, Sint Maarten:
Code:
Hurricane Irma - St. Maarten Information current as of September 13, 2017 If you’re traveling to/through/from: St. Maarten, St. Maarten (SXM) The change fee may be waived if you:If your trip is eligible, you can change it online. Here’s how: Find your trip (link on aa.com) If your trip is eligible, you’ll see the option to ‘change trip’ in the toolbar Look up your trip (link on aa.com) Call Reservations Can't change your trip online? Contact Reservations
- Are traveling on an American Airlines flight
- Bought your ticket by September 10, 2017
- Are scheduled to travel September 5 - December 31, 2017
- Can travel September 10, 2017 - September 30, 2018
- Don't change your origin or destination city
- Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference
- Change your trip
AA policy: Flights booked to hurricane affected areas through 2017
Sep 12, 2017, 12:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 16
AA policy: Flights booked to hurricane affected areas through 2017
Hello,
I have flights booked on AA to St Thomas in February 2018. We plan to take the ferry and stay in Tortola. Not knowing how much of the hurricane damage will be repaired, we are considering other vacation options. Does anyone know if AA will waive the change fees for our tickets?
Thank you for your help.
I have flights booked on AA to St Thomas in February 2018. We plan to take the ferry and stay in Tortola. Not knowing how much of the hurricane damage will be repaired, we are considering other vacation options. Does anyone know if AA will waive the change fees for our tickets?
Thank you for your help.
Sep 12, 2017, 12:36 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
I can't see any scenario where American will waive change fees simply because you want to choose a different destination, despite the circumstances at hand.
Even if your chosen hotel on St. Thomas is closed, that's not a reason for a free change/cancellation.
That said, American is running a business. And if tourism/business travel drops due to significant lodging closures (see Nevis circa 2008 or 2009 after the Four Seasons closed for a while), they will likely change their flight schedule and perhaps cancel some flights, which would be your way out of your current tickets. But that might not happen in the short-term, if at all.
Even if your chosen hotel on St. Thomas is closed, that's not a reason for a free change/cancellation.
That said, American is running a business. And if tourism/business travel drops due to significant lodging closures (see Nevis circa 2008 or 2009 after the Four Seasons closed for a while), they will likely change their flight schedule and perhaps cancel some flights, which would be your way out of your current tickets. But that might not happen in the short-term, if at all.
Sep 12, 2017, 1:33 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Bend, IN
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 18,562
I can't see any scenario where American will waive change fees simply because you want to choose a different destination, despite the circumstances at hand.
Even if your chosen hotel on St. Thomas is closed, that's not a reason for a free change/cancellation.
That said, American is running a business. And if tourism/business travel drops due to significant lodging closures (see Nevis circa 2008 or 2009 after the Four Seasons closed for a while), they will likely change their flight schedule and perhaps cancel some flights, which would be your way out of your current tickets. But that might not happen in the short-term, if at all.
Even if your chosen hotel on St. Thomas is closed, that's not a reason for a free change/cancellation.
That said, American is running a business. And if tourism/business travel drops due to significant lodging closures (see Nevis circa 2008 or 2009 after the Four Seasons closed for a while), they will likely change their flight schedule and perhaps cancel some flights, which would be your way out of your current tickets. But that might not happen in the short-term, if at all.
Sep 12, 2017, 5:23 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
I'll take the under on that. Tourists need intact facilities to visit.
The OP should be looking for carrier changes and/or schedule changes to get a refund to original form of payment. Mainline to regional, regional to mainline, one regional carrier to another - it's all good if trying to get one's money refunded.
The OP should be looking for carrier changes and/or schedule changes to get a refund to original form of payment. Mainline to regional, regional to mainline, one regional carrier to another - it's all good if trying to get one's money refunded.
Sep 12, 2017, 6:47 pm
#10
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
I just saw this story that a friend posted on Facebook:
http://www.caribbeantravel.com/blog/...sit-the-region
While there is some damage, some other areas are fine. Find the place that is good and change to there.
Someone replied with this comment:
http://www.caribbeantravel.com/blog/...sit-the-region
While there is some damage, some other areas are fine. Find the place that is good and change to there.
Someone replied with this comment:
Seven Seas in Turcs & Caicos survived virtually unscathed. To be able to visit that place for a discounted price is totally worth it!
Sep 12, 2017, 6:51 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BNA
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 766
If you want to change, I'd do it now. And I bet they'll waive the change fees too.
Sep 12, 2017, 8:52 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
Well......according to this person.......
http://www.12news.com/news/local/val...-fee/474233924
If passengers choose a new destination ... they must pay the difference.
http://www.12news.com/news/local/val...-fee/474233924
"SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. - Shari Harvey, a woman from San Tan Valley, wants to know why American Airlines didn’t do more when she had to cancel her trip to St. Martin in the Caribbean.
The airline (AA) told 12 News a special policy has been put in place for Saint Maarten and other Florida and Caribbean destinations that were hit hardest by Hurricane Irma.
Re-booking fees will be waived for all these destinations.
The airline also said it will honor the original ticket price the passenger paid for a future flight to the same destination between now and December 2018, assuming the original flight was planned between Sept. 5 and Dec. 31, 2017.
Re-booking fees will be waived for all these destinations.
The airline also said it will honor the original ticket price the passenger paid for a future flight to the same destination between now and December 2018, assuming the original flight was planned between Sept. 5 and Dec. 31, 2017.
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 12, 2017 at 11:06 pm Reason: Edit to conform to FlyerTalk rules
Sep 12, 2017, 10:59 pm
#13
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
This is the American Airlines | AAdvantage forum. Please contain your discussion to how AA will handle travel booked to Hurricane Irma affected islands and US areas (e.g. Florida Keys), and experiences regarding the same.
Note: news sources must be quoted in accordance with the rules.
Thank you,
/Moderator
Note: news sources must be quoted in accordance with the rules.
Thank you,
/Moderator
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 12, 2017 at 11:46 pm
Sep 12, 2017, 11:16 pm
#14
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
AA has posted extensive information on how they will be handling bookings to specific hurricane impacted areas. Be aware these may change as the conditions on the ground change.
For example, to go along with the article linked to above:
Links and further information on this page.
For example, to go along with the article linked to above:
Hurricane Irma - St. Maarten
Information current as of September 13, 2017
If you’re traveling to/through/from: St. Maarten (sic), St. Maarten (SXM)
The change fee may be waived if you:
If your trip is eligible, you can change it online. Here’s how:
If your trip is eligible, you’ll see the option to ‘change trip’ in the toolbar..
Information current as of September 13, 2017
If you’re traveling to/through/from: St. Maarten (sic), St. Maarten (SXM)
The change fee may be waived if you:
- Are traveling on an American Airlines flight
- Bought your ticket by September 10, 2017
- Are scheduled to travel September 5 - December 31, 2017
- Can travel September 10, 2017 - September 30, 2018
- Don't change your origin or destination city
- Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference
- Change your trip
If your trip is eligible, you’ll see the option to ‘change trip’ in the toolbar..
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 12, 2017 at 11:36 pm
Sep 12, 2017, 11:43 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,409
I just saw this story that a friend posted on Facebook:
http://www.caribbeantravel.com/blog/...sit-the-region
While there is some damage, some other areas are fine. Find the place that is good and change to there.
Someone replied with this comment:
http://www.caribbeantravel.com/blog/...sit-the-region
While there is some damage, some other areas are fine. Find the place that is good and change to there.
Someone replied with this comment: