Fee for involuntary re-routing???
 

Well, I've called AA RTW desk today to book some open segments on a couple of OWE tkts, the last one being SCL/AKL.

It was originally EZE/AKL, but since Qantas will axe that flight on Jun 29, I'll be flying LA SCL/AKL on Jul 1st (QF on Jun 29 would be better for me, but it's full).

So I asked if the $75 fee would apply and the answer was yes, to my shock!!!

Is this right? Any ideas? People at my CTO are clueless about RTWs, so there's little chance they waive the fee without instructions noted on my PNR...

If you had a confirmed reservation and had to change it because of a service change there should be no change fee. But if you have an open ticket then I think that you are taking the risk that a particular segment may not be available and could justifiably be charged the change fee as the airlines are not giving any guarantee that you can fly EZE-AKL by issuing an open ticket. Their responsibility to you lies with a confirmed reservation.

No. Basically even though you have an open-segment between EZE-AKL, you do have one year to fly that segment. Which is your right.

However as QF is cancelling the service, and if you choose a date which you want to fly on, well, what are you going to do?

QF should reroute you and NOT charge you as it is not your doing. If say that EZE-AKL still exists and you're rerouting, then it's a different story.

I'd try to speak to a sales rep about this ...

I don't believe it is your right to fly a particular segment if you don't have a confirmed reservation. No airline guarantees its schedules. They will accomodate you if you have a ticketed and confirmed reservation. If you were flying on a full fare ticket you wouldn't be charged a change fee. But a RTW fare is a discount fare that has a change fee.Thats the risk you take when you buy it. Having said that, I think that most airline agents would reissue the ticket without charging the $75. I just don't believe that AA are outside their rights in charging it.

Though I've never flown RTW discounted tickets using logic I'd say this falls into involuntary rerouting.

A carrier sold you a ticket with a certain numbers of legal itineraries which in the one-year time frame allowed by contract they ceased to exist. The passenger accepts to be involuntary rerouted to another airport/carrier to continue its journey/contract.

I've had this happen with deep discounted Y tickets (though with a reservation) and with UA http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif award open return tickets and I've never been charged a dime.

Shouldn't you call a different CTO (in another country) that can be more reasonable and accomodate your needs ?

[This message has been edited by pb9997 (edited 06-07-2002).]

Quick update: called AA again, but they still didn't wave the fee. I'm waitlisted for original routing, but if doesn't confirm I will try again at CTO.

Confirmed original routing EZE/AKL on Jun 29, no fees http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thank you AA RTW desk!!!