Can I get a refund from AA somehow?
Oct 24, 2018, 11:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 4
Can I get a refund from AA somehow?
I made a reservation for 2, and need to cancel 1 of those seats. AA says I will forfeit $200. Wouldn't they like to sell that seat? Why not refund my cost, then sell it higher to a late booking passenger? Is there some way for me to get a refund, or, can I just occupy 2 seats? Or can I sell it to the desk agent who wants to put someone on the plane at the last minute?
Oct 24, 2018, 11:19 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
Wouldn't they like to sell that seat?
Why not refund my cost, then sell it higher to a late booking passenger?
Is there some way for me to get a refund, or, can I just occupy 2 seats?
Or can I sell it to the desk agent who wants to put someone on the plane at the last minute?
Oct 24, 2018, 11:20 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
If it's a non-refundable fare, you can't get a refund, unless there is a significant advance schedule change or a significant delay (or cancellation) on the day of departure.
AA already sold the seat, why would they want to have to try to sell it again? That costs money.
Technically you can't just occupy two seats. If the second boarding pass isn't scanned at the gate, then that seat will be marked a 'no-show' and may be released to standby travelers at the last minute. You *could* try to scan the boarding pass at the gate, but you'd want to tell the agent that you're scanning for an extra seat (otherwise the physical passenger count on board will be wrong and potentially hold up departure). If they don't look closely at the boarding pass, this might work. But technically you did not purchase the second seat as an "XTRA SEAT", and name changes are not allowed. I don't know the practical implications of attempting this. I suppose the worst case is that they make you forefeit the seat and cancel the ticket/reservation. Which shouldn't put you any worse off than where you started.
AA already sold the seat, why would they want to have to try to sell it again? That costs money.
Technically you can't just occupy two seats. If the second boarding pass isn't scanned at the gate, then that seat will be marked a 'no-show' and may be released to standby travelers at the last minute. You *could* try to scan the boarding pass at the gate, but you'd want to tell the agent that you're scanning for an extra seat (otherwise the physical passenger count on board will be wrong and potentially hold up departure). If they don't look closely at the boarding pass, this might work. But technically you did not purchase the second seat as an "XTRA SEAT", and name changes are not allowed. I don't know the practical implications of attempting this. I suppose the worst case is that they make you forefeit the seat and cancel the ticket/reservation. Which shouldn't put you any worse off than where you started.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:09 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 4
"What do you think they can gain by refunding you? They can still sell the seat again."
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
It's natural for newbies to question the logic, and to wonder if they can negotiate. No, you cannot negotiate. It is a waste of time to try to understand why the rules exist. They exist. If you didn't like the rules, you should not have bought the ticket.
Finally, it is pointless to threaten that you will never fly AA again. That always causes much mirth on Flyertalk.
Finally, it is pointless to threaten that you will never fly AA again. That always causes much mirth on Flyertalk.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:24 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
"What do you think they can gain by refunding you? They can still sell the seat again."
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:25 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Right now AA (and every other airline) has no problem filling seats. Most of its key customers are hub captive or might stay due to FF benefits. Leisure flyers by far book on price.
At the end of the day airlines really don't care about "satisfied" customers. If demand moderately declines or costs moderately rise the airlines can simply park planes and/or defer delivery of new planes while cutting capacity. The consumer has shown no willingness to pay for amenities. Typical they pay for a cheap flight on an ULCC, get jammed into an inhuman seat, charged for all kinds of add ons (like printing a BP while IIRC not having mobile BPs), and stranding you for hours should your flight should be canceled. Then "....." on social media about the experience. Sadly stupid people seem to be as endless as cockroaches and rats. ULCC bank on that fact and its why they are wildly financially successful.
At the end of the day airlines really don't care about "satisfied" customers. If demand moderately declines or costs moderately rise the airlines can simply park planes and/or defer delivery of new planes while cutting capacity. The consumer has shown no willingness to pay for amenities. Typical they pay for a cheap flight on an ULCC, get jammed into an inhuman seat, charged for all kinds of add ons (like printing a BP while IIRC not having mobile BPs), and stranding you for hours should your flight should be canceled. Then "....." on social media about the experience. Sadly stupid people seem to be as endless as cockroaches and rats. ULCC bank on that fact and its why they are wildly financially successful.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:25 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
"What do you think they can gain by refunding you? They can still sell the seat again."
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
If you need a flight to be somewhat refundable, you can book more expensive refundable fares. Usually not cheap at all. Or if Southwest flies the route, buy from them, and get a credit toward a future flight.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:29 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,021
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:31 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,024
FormertourguideWelcome to FT
So "never fly AA again"? 
This is common with most(all?) airlines with low priced tickets. They have t&c's for cancellations & changes. Not unusual for tickets to be non changeable & no cancellation. If want flexibility you need to buy a high priced ticket.
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
This is common with most(all?) airlines with low priced tickets. They have t&c's for cancellations & changes. Not unusual for tickets to be non changeable & no cancellation. If want flexibility you need to buy a high priced ticket.
Oct 24, 2018, 12:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
"What do you think they can gain by refunding you? They can still sell the seat again."
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
What they would gain is a happier customer, who might book more flights with AA.
Due to this $200 per change policy, they lose any future revenue from me and from
my acquaintances who hear this tale, and who might have been thinking of flying AA but will
now book another carrier. Good customer service is good advertising, and vice versa.
Oct 24, 2018, 1:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
The only option, and no one has mentioned it, is if there has been a substantial schedule change on your flight, I think is over 1 hour or more, you have the option for cancellation and refund.