Schedule change and codeshares?
 

Had a flight booked on AA from SFO-SEA-LHR. The SFO-SEA was AA codeshare operated by AS. AA had a change to remove most of the codeshares from the day of travel, but AS is still flying the original flight. Now that AA has changed the schedule they are only offering changes to another codeshare flight which would mean either 12 hours layover or requirement to rebook SEA-LHR on a different day and lose the upgrade. Asked if they could just keep me on the original flight even though it isn't a codeshare anymore and agent said no. Is AA policy only to rebook on codeshare flights even if the originally booked flight on AS didnt change at all?

Call back and ask to speak to a Supervisor if they won't fix the issue. Frontline AAgents don't always have the authority (or as some have said, knowledge) to make things work correctly for the customer. You also might have got an AAgent with an attitude.

Do you mean an AAgent with an AAttitude? :-)

Definitely HUCUA. Booking back onto original flight as AS should be allowed since AS is OW.

Page 7
https://saleslink.aa.com/en-US/docum...ule_Change.pdf

The preference for rebooking is AA marketed/operated, AA marketed operated by joint business partners (AY/BA/IB/JK/QF), followed by AA marketed/OW operated and then OW marketed/operated. Sounds like AS flight would be least preferred.

Same policy applies regardless of whether change is less or in excess of 4 hours (page 5).

I don't understand -- does AA routinely remove codeshares for no apparent reason? or at some point if their own flights aren't full enough on certain days?

My experiences with codeshares recently is pretty limited. Just HA in the islands which is a unique situation I don't see them messing with extensively.

But I have several other codeshares coming up over next 3-4 months and will start planning contingencies if this is a 'thing'.

Thanks all. I called and while the agent wouldn't put me on the original AS flight they have a codeshare that I didn't see before that they put me on. Now the fun beings since the MCT in SEA is 45 mins and the connection for this just happens to be 47 mins. Is that a realistic connection time from AS to AA in SEA?

Looks like AS also offers free SDC for EXP so I can try that as well.

I'd personally be comfortable with a 47 minute connection in Seattle.

Thanks. Never done the AS to AA transfer but hopefully I will be able to SDC to give myself an extra hour.

Maybe on a domestic flight, but going to an international departure could be a little dicey? Also not sure that AS would be able to complete check in/doc check for the AA portion.

Well at least there are both checkin areas at Sfo :-) VeriFLY also has been working decently lately so that might help.

AS can check docs — I’ve had them check even for non-parters before (e.g., AS domestic to UA international).

In terms of walking time, domestic to international is not really relevant — all gates are connected and international flights don’t have their own terminal, so it’s just luck of the draw whether you get a long or short walk.

Just re-read the whole thread, I didn't register that you're connecting on to LHR. Domestic to domestic I'll take a 47 minute connection because it's usually easy to find a later flight if things don't quite work out. Continuing on to LHR doesn't much room for error (weather in SFO, ramp delay for a gate at SEA, whatever). AA isn't setting you up for success and I'd try to call again. If that fails then definitely do a SDC. I can't speak to SDC for AA EXP but I've had good success with SDC as an Alaska MVP Gold.

AA widebodies leaves from the South gates, so depending on your AS arrival gate you are looking at 1-2 train rides. 47m will be a bit tight.

That’s super useful. I will keep trying. Given the consequences of missing the flight I would rather just overnight it at sea then give up the upgrade if I have to.

Yes, that is the new overnight AAccommodation policy. They give you a free life jacket, toss you into Puget Sound, and fish you out in the morning. Makes up for the lack of lounge showers. Winning!