Changed from nonstop to 1-stop...refund?
 

AA changes me from a non-stop arriving at 850pm to a onestop arriving 2 hours later. Since it’s not a 3hr+ change can I still tell them I don’t accept the changes and want a refund because I don’t want to connect?

Yes, change from non-stop to connecting itinerary entitles you to a refund, regardless of departure/arrival time changes.

Assuming your destination offers public transit that ends at or before 11p, I would focus on this angle.

thx, makes sense. Different flight #s so my original flight has been cancelled even if AA doesn’t want to phrase it that way. Thx! Will call in later today.

The change threshold for a refund is actually 4 hours (not 3). But, as others have mentioned, going from non-stop to connecting is also sufficient. I don't believe simply having a flight number change is sufficient if the new flight is still non-stop and the operating carrier remains the same and change is less than 4 hours.

https://saleslink.aa.com/en-US/docum...40_Refunds.pdf

Nonstop to one-stop necessarily means that the nonstop is cancelled or you have otherwise been involuntarily offloaded (the latter very unlikely). In that instance, you are entitled to a refund even if the new itinerary gets you to your final ticketed destination at the exact same time. The contract provision as well as US law provides for a refund if your flight is cancelled or there is a significant change. You satisfy at least one condition, thus simply do not accept the change and request a refund. Follow up everything in writing (webform / email is fine) so that you have a paper trail if there is a hassle.

FYI, no need to call in. I very recently (in the past 10 days) had this exact thing happen--outbound non-stop changed to connecting. Requested the refund online at prefunds.aa.com and the system recognized we were due a refund based on the applicable rules--gave us the option of refund to payment credit card or flight credit (plus a bonus, I think, but may be mis-remembering). It was pretty quick, too--6 business days between requesting the refund and notification it was approved/complete (hasn't posted to the credit card yet, but expect to see it by end of this week).

Be aware there are different rules/thresholds applicable to tickets purchased before April 8, 2020 and those purchased on/after April 8, 2020; available here.

cheers!

I had this happen recently with three flights on a MSY-PHL trip we are making (Mr. travelmad478’s outbound, then my outbound, then our return together). AA re-booked us on connecting flights that would arrive 5 hours later (although there was plenty of space on connecting flights that would arrive at more or less the same time as our original flight). Interestingly, when looking for replacements on Matrix, I noticed that although nonstops had been removed from the schedule on the days that we were flying, they still existed on the days immediately preceding our flights. I called and got the dates changed with no fuss at all—which was a pleasant surprise, especially since we had gotten these flights originally for the stunning price of $38 each way (Basic Economy, but who cares on a flight that short?)

AA allows to change by one day when they make a schedule change. They also will allow you to overnight at connection point if there's no more valid connections that night AND you take first onward flight next day. Point the latter out as it makes for a cheap stopover if wanted.

AA is very inconsistent and often depends on the agent you get. I have been allowed to change my travel to a week later after a schedule change but then again, it helps to have top tier status with AA.

Regardless, in this case as others already pointed out, the OP does qualify for a refund due to the change being a connecting flight from an original non-stop one.

Can't disagree about agents. I was just pointing out options per written policy. Getting agent to read it is something else.

All set, processed the refund online