AA cancelled my flight just a few hours before flight...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 35
AA cancelled my flight just a few hours before flight...
Hello,
My husband and I were supposed to fly from SRQ-DFW-LAS on July 31. We checked in at the airport and checked one bag ($30US). About an hour later, AA cancelled the flight, citing "no crew". Without consultation they booked me on a flight the next day. I told the desk that I did not agree to the change and requested either a) she put us on a later same day flight, or b) issue a refund, or c) put us on another carrier (i.e. Delta or Southwest who had same day flights to LAS). The woman at the desk told me the only way to get to get to LAS was to purchase another flight from another carrier.
Needing to get to LAS that day, I went to the Delta counter. When I explained the situation, the Delta agent told me to tell AA to "send the ticket over" or something to that effect. I told this to the AA agent, who told me my ticket was nonrefundable and that she wouldn't do that because I wasn't a first class passenger. Long story short...she was very rude (so much so in fact, that another AA agent came out from behind the desk later to apologize to me for her colleague's conduct). We retrieved our bag and purchased tickets on Delta.
We are out the value of our ticket, the $30US fee for the checked bag, and one of our seat selections. For some reason, AA refunded one of the seat selection fees.
If you've read this far...thank you! I know that to phone AA, I will be on hold for a very long time, so I am wondering if someone can give me some advice as to what my options are. I cannot believe that my only option was to accept another flight on a completely different day. Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated (btw- I booked the ticket through Expedia.)
Thanks very much in advance,
Sinead
My husband and I were supposed to fly from SRQ-DFW-LAS on July 31. We checked in at the airport and checked one bag ($30US). About an hour later, AA cancelled the flight, citing "no crew". Without consultation they booked me on a flight the next day. I told the desk that I did not agree to the change and requested either a) she put us on a later same day flight, or b) issue a refund, or c) put us on another carrier (i.e. Delta or Southwest who had same day flights to LAS). The woman at the desk told me the only way to get to get to LAS was to purchase another flight from another carrier.
Needing to get to LAS that day, I went to the Delta counter. When I explained the situation, the Delta agent told me to tell AA to "send the ticket over" or something to that effect. I told this to the AA agent, who told me my ticket was nonrefundable and that she wouldn't do that because I wasn't a first class passenger. Long story short...she was very rude (so much so in fact, that another AA agent came out from behind the desk later to apologize to me for her colleague's conduct). We retrieved our bag and purchased tickets on Delta.
We are out the value of our ticket, the $30US fee for the checked bag, and one of our seat selections. For some reason, AA refunded one of the seat selection fees.
If you've read this far...thank you! I know that to phone AA, I will be on hold for a very long time, so I am wondering if someone can give me some advice as to what my options are. I cannot believe that my only option was to accept another flight on a completely different day. Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated (btw- I booked the ticket through Expedia.)
Thanks very much in advance,
Sinead
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Agreed, all your charges should be fully refunded. I would also complain about the AAgent that refused to send the ticket to DL. Nonrefundable or not, F or Y, AA should still be able to accommodate you on DL given they weren't able to get you there the same day.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
Don't waste your time calling AA. You should request a refund through Expedia, they are the ones who sold you the ticket. "The flight was cancelled" is enough reason to get a refund, the other details don't matter.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 35
Thanks very much for your responses. Unfortunately, Expedia is no help at all as they say "American took over your ticket". Absolutely no help. I will try to call American. I've sent American an email but really would prefer to speak with an agent.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,757
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 35
Thanks again. I've put through the online request for a refund, but it is coming up as a $26.48 refund for what appears to be the next day flight. I've sent an email to AA, and have phoned (they are supposed to call me back in 4 and a half hours). SOOOO frustrating. @Kacee, by DOT do you mean Department of Transportation?
I am concerned because the agent kept saying "So you want to cancel your flight" which was in relation to the next day flight. I kept reiterating "no, YOU cancelled our flight".
Thanks again....
I am concerned because the agent kept saying "So you want to cancel your flight" which was in relation to the next day flight. I kept reiterating "no, YOU cancelled our flight".
Thanks again....
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
@Kacee, by DOT do you mean Department of Transportation?
File an Air Travel Complaint
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Lesson learned never book your ticket through a 3rd party website because this is what happens. Another thing if crew availability was "weather related" (if AA says so) AA will not put you on another carrier. You either accept what they give you, find an alternative routing and request that routing or ask for a full refund.
It might not be right but this is air travel 2021. And other airlines will do same. A price comes with those $59 fares. You're on your own.
It might not be right but this is air travel 2021. And other airlines will do same. A price comes with those $59 fares. You're on your own.