AA keeps changing first flight in a connection on award flight
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
AA keeps changing first flight in a connection on award flight
I booked an award flight. CMH-JFK-CDG. Picked a specific itinerary for the sake of lounge time. I have received a few notification that my itinerary changed. They keep moving my CMH-JFK flight to the option with the least connection time, but the original flight still exists. I call them, they fix it, then a month or so later it happens again. The best I can tell every time there is even the smallest change in departure time something in the system automatically rebooks to what it thinks is the best.
Anyone have any idea why this is happening and anything i can do to prevent it?
Anyone have any idea why this is happening and anything i can do to prevent it?
#2
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,039
I booked an award flight. CMH-JFK-CDG. Picked a specific itinerary for the sake of lounge time. I have received a few notification that my itinerary changed. They keep moving my CMH-JFK flight to the option with the least connection time, but the original flight still exists. I call them, they fix it, then a month or so later it happens again. The best I can tell every time there is even the smallest change in departure time something in the system automatically rebooks to what it thinks is the best.
Anyone have any idea why this is happening and anything i can do to prevent it?
Anyone have any idea why this is happening and anything i can do to prevent it?
#3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,119
Just wait (leave the reservation alone, don't "accept" any changes) until 60-90 days until departure, when the schedule firms up, before bothering to fix it.
If this was a partner itinerary I would babysit it carefully but when it's all AA I prefer to wait until the dust settles.
If this was a partner itinerary I would babysit it carefully but when it's all AA I prefer to wait until the dust settles.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,039
Just wait (leave the reservation alone, don't "accept" any changes) until 60-90 days until departure, when the schedule firms up, before bothering to fix it.
If this was a partner itinerary I would babysit it carefully but when it's all AA I prefer to wait until the dust settles.
If this was a partner itinerary I would babysit it carefully but when it's all AA I prefer to wait until the dust settles.
- The flight you want may sell out, even months in advance. This is more likely if the flight is around a large event.
- The seats you want may be taken by another passenger. If you want to confirm seats on the new flight, you need to get yourself onto it.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: GSP
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 221
I booked an award flight. CMH-JFK-CDG. Picked a specific itinerary for the sake of lounge time. I have received a few notification that my itinerary changed. They keep moving my CMH-JFK flight to the option with the least connection time, but the original flight still exists. I call them, they fix it, then a month or so later it happens again. The best I can tell every time there is even the smallest change in departure time something in the system automatically rebooks to what it thinks is the best.
Anyone have any idea why this is happening and anything i can do to prevent it?
Anyone have any idea why this is happening and anything i can do to prevent it?
I am not even notified by e-mail when the changes happen. I have literally been checking the app every 3-4 days to look for changes at this point and have had to call the reservations line to make changes every time this happens. I don't think there is another solution.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,819
Just wait (leave the reservation alone, don't "accept" any changes) until 60-90 days until departure, when the schedule firms up, before bothering to fix it.
If this was a partner itinerary I would babysit it carefully but when it's all AA I prefer to wait until the dust settles.
If this was a partner itinerary I would babysit it carefully but when it's all AA I prefer to wait until the dust settles.
Besides all that, if you wait until T-90 days, any seat preference that you may have had (8A, exit row, PE seats, etc.), may disappear or be taken by others.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458
Not a problem unless it sells out...
Schedule changes can be frustrating, but most experienced travelers keep up with them to ensure they have the best itinerary.
Frankly, airlines don't put a lot of effort into re-scheduling algorithms because they don't see them as a revenue-generating opportunity.
Schedule changes can be frustrating, but most experienced travelers keep up with them to ensure they have the best itinerary.
Frankly, airlines don't put a lot of effort into re-scheduling algorithms because they don't see them as a revenue-generating opportunity.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,119
While I respect the approach and think it is valid I also think it is contextual. Partner reservation or flying a leisure route like HI on an A319 with 8 F seats (which fills up a lot of seats far in advance) - then yes, watch carefully.
The odds of CMH-JFK selling out is very low, it's a traditional Eagle slot-squatting route with ample MCE / F seats. I'd be surprised if the loads are >25% 90 days out.
The schedule can be adjusted several times - OP can find themselves making 1+ call per month to AA.
I think this is also a case of how you balance risk to time
The odds of CMH-JFK selling out is very low, it's a traditional Eagle slot-squatting route with ample MCE / F seats. I'd be surprised if the loads are >25% 90 days out.
The schedule can be adjusted several times - OP can find themselves making 1+ call per month to AA.
I think this is also a case of how you balance risk to time