What to do first if AA cancels a flight?
Jun 20, 2022, 4:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 23
What to do first if AA cancels a flight?
In the future if I receive a notice of cancellation from AA, what steps should be taken next? Read that AA rebook some people's flights to another day. If that flight is inconvenient, should we start looking for other alternative flights?
How would we let AA know that we wouldn't be taking the new flight they gave us so we wouldn't be a no show? Cannot reach on the phone and email is too slow. (read that if you are a no show, the rest of the itinerary is cancelled. Is that true?)
How would we let AA know that we wouldn't be taking the new flight they gave us so we wouldn't be a no show? Cannot reach on the phone and email is too slow. (read that if you are a no show, the rest of the itinerary is cancelled. Is that true?)
Jun 20, 2022, 5:10 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, 1MM, Bonsai Plat-Pro, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 380
I only fly a couple times a year, but I always research alternatives ahead of time, and try to have a plan "B" figured out if something goes sideways. if at the airport and you have AC membership head there! may even be worth dropping $60 for a day pass if the situation is bad enough. easier to get in front of an agent if the CS lines are a mile long in the terminal! RT
Jun 20, 2022, 6:31 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 259
In the past I call immediately and open a chat session on the app. The app is not very helpful. The agents at the counter have been the most helpful. You will need to be proactive and research alternatives. Find nearby airports, different connecting cities etc
Jun 20, 2022, 6:42 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
Drive from PVD to BOS (that's what I had to do yesterday for a friend).
As an aside, my friend visited 7 airports yesterday, which must be some kind of record. I drove her to PVD where she was told her flight was cancelled. Then I drove her to BOS, from where she flew to BHM via ROC and CLT, dropped off her daughter at camp, and then flow to MCO via ATL.
As an aside, my friend visited 7 airports yesterday, which must be some kind of record. I drove her to PVD where she was told her flight was cancelled. Then I drove her to BOS, from where she flew to BHM via ROC and CLT, dropped off her daughter at camp, and then flow to MCO via ATL.
Jun 20, 2022, 7:30 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 64
Always know what you want when you talk to an agent. If you ask them for options, they are not likely to give you much. If you can give them flight numbers, etc of what you want to be rebooked on, the process will go a lot smoother.
Jun 20, 2022, 8:32 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,738
Get in line to talk to an agent in person. At the same time, call the AA customer service number. At the same time, pull up the App and see if you've been rebooked and/or offered options in the app. While waiting research what options you do want to present to whichever agent (in person or phone) becomes available first.
Edited to add if you can't get through by phone, don't forget to try Twitter as well.
Edited to add if you can't get through by phone, don't forget to try Twitter as well.
Jun 20, 2022, 9:06 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
In the past when flights overbooked enough that the app is looking for volunteers to switch flights I found the app quite flexible changing dates and airports within some radius (50-100mi?). Last week my flight was cancelled and they auto-rebooked me connecting the next day and the app did not allow me to change at all and I had to wait 4 hours for a call back. Anyone know if the app is supposed to let passengers self rebook in an IRROP? I found it strange I couldn’t change options for a seemingly normal IRROP situation (paid ticket, purchased and operated by AA, flight cancellation, rebooked on AA, same origin and destination, etc). Delta and United are all so much better at passenger self service…
Jun 20, 2022, 9:34 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reno, NV
Programs: NFY, AA EXP, Marriott TE
Posts: 517
All I've ever gotten from the app is options to choose from, usually unsavory ones.
I absolutely agree, have the (times & flight numbers) you want, written down, then talk with a person. This has never failed me, and occasionally I've gotten more than I was wanting.
It's irrops that makes me value the Admiral's Club the most. Instant service from AA's best when it comes to changing flights.
All the best, James
I absolutely agree, have the (times & flight numbers) you want, written down, then talk with a person. This has never failed me, and occasionally I've gotten more than I was wanting.
It's irrops that makes me value the Admiral's Club the most. Instant service from AA's best when it comes to changing flights.
All the best, James
Jun 20, 2022, 9:49 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 949
In the past when flights overbooked enough that the app is looking for volunteers to switch flights I found the app quite flexible changing dates and airports within some radius (50-100mi?). Last week my flight was cancelled and they auto-rebooked me connecting the next day and the app did not allow me to change at all and I had to wait 4 hours for a call back. Anyone know if the app is supposed to let passengers self rebook in an IRROP? I found it strange I couldn’t change options for a seemingly normal IRROP situation (paid ticket, purchased and operated by AA, flight cancellation, rebooked on AA, same origin and destination, etc). Delta and United are all so much better at passenger self service…
Jun 20, 2022, 10:05 am
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Use the app to determine whether they have already rebooked you, or what options they are offering within the app. This has resolved all my IRROP in the past 6 months.
If the offered options are not acceptable, start looking up alternatives, including offline to another airline. If you have access to Admirals Club, go see an agent there and see if they can rebook the alternative. If you don't have access, start calling while getting in line.
If the offered options are not acceptable, start looking up alternatives, including offline to another airline. If you have access to Admirals Club, go see an agent there and see if they can rebook the alternative. If you don't have access, start calling while getting in line.
Jun 20, 2022, 11:19 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
Programs: UA1K, 1MM,AA Exec. Platinum, Global Entry, Nexus
Posts: 731
We are flying to YVR in a week. Have been using Flightaware and noticed my flight has been cancelled twice in the last ten days. We have a connecting flight to Victoria the same day we arrive in YVR. It is the last flight of the day and other than trying to catch the ferry over, I do not have any flight options. My thought was to call AA the morning of our flight. In the interim, I will look for AC and UA non-stops to YVR for a Plan B. Any other suggestions? Does (forgive this pointed up nose in advance statement) having EP status have any bearing on what AA will do for me?
thank you for your responses.
thank you for your responses.
Jun 20, 2022, 11:42 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 398
We are flying to YVR in a week. Have been using Flightaware and noticed my flight has been cancelled twice in the last ten days. We have a connecting flight to Victoria the same day we arrive in YVR. It is the last flight of the day and other than trying to catch the ferry over, I do not have any flight options. My thought was to call AA the morning of our flight. In the interim, I will look for AC and UA non-stops to YVR for a Plan B. Any other suggestions? Does (forgive this pointed up nose in advance statement) having EP status have any bearing on what AA will do for me?
thank you for your responses.
thank you for your responses.
saunders111
Jun 20, 2022, 12:37 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
Programs: UA1K, 1MM,AA Exec. Platinum, Global Entry, Nexus
Posts: 731
Thank you for the suggestion. We are already on Pacific Coast airways out of YVR. Beech 19's to Victoria. Problem is if the flight is canceled our flight to Victoria is at 1545. Only AC has an 0840 flight to YVR. So I'll need AA to cancel early on in the morning of our trip date. Contemplating buying a one way and if I don't use it, I"ll bank it with UA.
Jun 20, 2022, 8:10 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Houston , TX
Programs: Platinum Pro. .Hilton Honors Gold,
Posts: 677