Flight Changed Drastically - WWYD?

Using itamatrix.com or kayak.com or hipmunk.com or Google flights (or all of them), find flights that work with your original plans.

If they're still on AA, great. Call and tell the reservationist which flights to change you to. If not on AA, have them cancel your flights and refund you, then book on another airline.

worst case you end up staying with there's flights? At least you'll have gotten a good night's sleep in real beds, instead of spending your first day in red eye exhaustion.

Eh, we always fly red-eye and we actually prefer it. Probably weird but flying during the day makes me incredible anxious and I end up having to get a temporary perscription for anxiety medication just to handle it. I can usually force myself (through exhaustion) to sleep on a night flight but, having done the day flight cross country sans medication before I will never do it again - it made my entire trip nearly unbearable with anxiety. Flying and I don't get along to great, but I love to travel so... I digress.
 
Just to show my work:

I put in parameters of PDX->MCO RT 9/13 // 9/21 w/ the adjustment of Departure Times to AFTER 5PM for both flights:

408980
First, AA Doesn't even show up. They don't have anything leaving that late from PDX anymore.

The two highlighted Flights make the most sense.... but then..

408981

The only Delta flight that gives me the same time in WDW that I had has a almost 10 hour layover in JFK... yikes!
The obvious choice here is to book the Delta flight with 2 stops that leaves at 5:25pm
But jokes on me - that 5:25P - 11:35P flight on 9/21 can't be booked on their website or through google flights - you have to call or have a TA do it.
So going with the best available that I can book online would be the Alaska Air 7:05P but that too can't be booked online. I have to call and add a "phone service fee". Ugh...

This is the most comparable itinerary:
408986

But I paid 2565.00 for 5 seats in main cabin (not basic economy, the thing above it) so now I have to increase that "$2790" price to include Alaska's main cabin fee...

408987

So to get a similar flight time to what I had with the airline I preferred, I have to pay $3090.00, an additional cost of $525 which is more than the cost of the hotel room night I'd need to get to keep the flight I am stuck with.

So this is my dilema. I am without options to make this situation better without paying more or... paying more.

I dunno... if any of you see something I am missing, let me know.
 
I really don't want to have to deplane twice with a 1 1/2 year old...

But you’re willing to do a red eye with the baby? Definitely not my preference.

Yeah, I may have to drive up to Seattle (a 3-4 hour drive, but still) to get the flight I want! Ah the things we do for vacation!

SeaTac parking is soooo much more than PDX parking, last time I checked.

And add time in to compensate to the heinous mess that is getting through Tacoma.
 
But you’re willing to do a red eye with the baby? Definitely not my preference.



SeaTac parking is soooo much more than PDX parking, last time I checked.

And add time in to compensate to the heinous mess that is getting through Tacoma.
I guess I didn't make the going to Seattle thing sound facetious enough. Unless it was a SIGNIFICANT cost difference, I won't do it. Driving 4 hours away to get a direct flight that is cost neutral (meaning same price as what I have) and tacking on Parking and Gas does NOT Sound fun.

I think different people had different experiences with Red-eye flights, and that's ok. I know lots of people hate red-eye flights, but they have and always will be my first choice. YMMV
 


I think I am just screwed
I think that's a little extreme. You can't always get what you want, but it you try, sometimes you get what you need.
I'd really really really like to avoid going to another brand as I'd lose out on miles.
Ah. Try these https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/partners/partner-airlines.jsp
I appreciate all of you guys offering to help, but I am not a noob when it comes to searching flights.
This information would have been appreciated/helpful in the original post.
 
@AllyReggie What did you find out when you called AA? I'm curious in case something similar happens to me.

Also, have you checked just one-way flights rather than round-trip? I've heard that can make a difference sometimes.
 
Here's what I get on the outbound trips, using your dates and times. All pricing is Main Cabin, because with 5 people including one toddler you do NOT want Basic Economy X 4 flights.

There are 2 options for PDX to MCO, both starting with a flight leaving at 1205 AM.

PDX - DFW - MCO
Flight 2227 - Lv PDX 1205 AM

Flight 2489 - 1 hour layover in DFW - arrive MCO 1101 AM - $645 each
Flight 2538 - 3 hour layover in DFW - arrive MCO 1254 PM - $558 each

Another option is to fly to Tampa and rent a car for the 90 minute drive to WDW.

There are 4 choices with Tampa -- 2 going through DFW, also on Flight 2227 at 1205 AM, and 2 through Charlotte leaving PDX on Flight 1929 at 1034 PM.

PDX -DFW - TPA
Flight 2227 - lv PDX 1205 AM

Flight 1351 - 1.5 hour layover in DFW - arrive Tampa 1053 AM - $488 each
Flight 2270 - 4 hour layover in DFW - arrive Tampa 107 PM - $427 each

PDX - CLT - TPA
Flight 1929 - Lv PDX 1034 PM

Flight 933 - 1 hour layover in Charlotte - arrive Tampa 933 AM - $425 each
Flight 2046 - 3 hour layover in Charlotte - arrive Tampa 1115 AM - $425 each

Regardless of the pricing shown, AAL should NOT upcharge you to change flights. You should pay no more than your original cost.
 


Here's what I get on the outbound trips, using your dates and times. All pricing is Main Cabin, because with 5 people including one toddler you do NOT want Basic Economy X 4 flights.

There are 2 options for PDX to MCO, both starting with a flight leaving at 1205 AM.

PDX - DFW - MCO
Flight 2227 - Lv PDX 1205 AM

Flight 2489 - 1 hour layover in DFW - arrive MCO 1101 AM - $645 each
Flight 2538 - 3 hour layover in DFW - arrive MCO 1254 PM - $558 each

Another option is to fly to Tampa and rent a car for the 90 minute drive to WDW.

There are 4 choices with Tampa -- 2 going through DFW, also on Flight 2227 at 1205 AM, and 2 through Charlotte leaving PDX on Flight 1929 at 1034 PM.

PDX -DFW - TPA
Flight 2227 - lv PDX 1205 AM

Flight 1351 - 1.5 hour layover in DFW - arrive Tampa 1053 AM - $488 each
Flight 2270 - 4 hour layover in DFW - arrive Tampa 107 PM - $427 each

PDX - CLT - TPA
Flight 1929 - Lv PDX 1034 PM

Flight 933 - 1 hour layover in Charlotte - arrive Tampa 933 AM - $425 each
Flight 2046 - 3 hour layover in Charlotte - arrive Tampa 1115 AM - $425 each

Regardless of the pricing shown, AAL should NOT upcharge you to change flights. You should pay no more than your original cost.


Thanks, yeah I see those too. Unfortunately changing the outbound flight only fixes half the problem (the needing an additional hotel night problem). Effectively it also decreases my available park hours too, as we originally were getting their at 5:30, with an anticipated "Be-in-the-park time" of about 8AM-9AM. Getting in at 11AM removes 2-3 hours of park time, and I still don't have an option for changing my flight going home to something that gets me back the depature day park hours, so I end up with a deficit of 8-9 hours in the parks on my schedule.

I can fix one flight, but it basically brings me down to the same problem: in order to fix the flights I either need to accept less park time or book another night in a hotel. I am aware that this is not AAs fault, nor is it their direct problem. But I've encountered plenty of situations where people who have been inconvenienced by flight changes have gotten something for their trouble, " a spoonful of sugar"? Sounds like that is not going to be my reality.


I think that's a little extreme. You can't always get what you want, but it you try, sometimes you get what you need.

I mean, maybe it's extreme? I value my time and my vacation fairly highly. Every hour of it means something, it is indicative of all my saving, my research and my plans coming to fruition. Knowing that I need to change all that because my flight disappeared is frustrating, and feeling "screwed" over because of things I can't control seems reasonable to me. None of the available changes accurately solve my problem without higher costs imposed on me. As a commodity experience, I am not able to find a comparable and equal cost solution to my needs, so these are the words I use to indicate that lack of choice.

And regarding letting you know, I think my OP pretty well indicated the specific advice I was looking for, regarding what I might be able to get from AA outside of a different flight. I did indicate that flights that fit my needs did not exist, I just as much assumed people would accept my assertion, or at least give me the benefit of the doubt, I didn't mean to upset anyone by not proving my muster in my OP. TBH I am still a little raw from this. My Husband and Parents are asking me every few hours "So, have you figured out our flight problem? Are we going to have to pay a bunch more?" and I don't think I have closed the Delta, AA, Alaska or Google Flights websites for more than a few hours on any of my devices since I saw the email Wednesday morning.

I really do want to make this work at the seat class and rate I paid for. I don't WANT to ask for something I didn't pay for or additional favors outside of what I have earned. I don't want to be that "speak to a manger" person. I just... I just want what I booked. After hours of research I know I am not going to get that. So I was just wanting to see if it is reasonable to look for other ways of making this work (since I feel I have to settle for what I feel is a less than alternative).

You guys have been pretty clear though that upgrades are NOT an option they will provide, and since something like that, or miles or whatever are the only things I can see that would really change how I feel in this situation... I guess, like I said, I am stuck. And that is fine, that is life and it is good to know how this stuff works because I certainly don't want to be the person calling customer service for something that I clearly can't get and seeming entitled and ending up on a "bad customer list".

I did use the customer service form email on their website, which they said has a turn time of 5 business days. I'd like to have a paper trail of what I have said and what AA thinks is best. I brought up (gently) that any sort of upgrade or mile bonus would make me feel so much better about the inconvenience, but If the see something I just can't see on my end, that I'd honestly really prefer to get my schedule back, but that I really do want to keep my reservation with AA. I used language that I gleaned from a consumer advocacy group. So when I hear back I will post what I said and what they replied with so people can see where I get.

I figure, there is nothing I can lose by asking for their help now, because what I have isn't what I want or need and what I can change to keeps the status quo.
 
The only compensation to be expected in these situations is a refund (even if it's a nonrefundable ticket) or a waiving of the change fee to switch to a different flight since it was such a drastic change. It happens unfortunately and it's at least better to know now than for it to be a last minute change or even a cancellation. Good luck finding something that works better for you!
 
And that is fine, that is life and it is good to know how this stuff works because I certainly don't want to be the person calling customer service for something that I clearly can't get and seeming entitled and ending up on a "bad customer list".
You're not doing anything that would land you on a "naughty list," if they even have one...which I doubt.
I did use the customer service form email on their website, which they said has a turn time of 5 business days. I'd like to have a paper trail of what I have said and what AA thinks is best. I brought up (gently) that any sort of upgrade or mile bonus would make me feel so much better about the inconvenience, but If the see something I just can't see on my end, that I'd honestly really prefer to get my schedule back, but that I really do want to keep my reservation with AA. I used language that I gleaned from a consumer advocacy group. So when I hear back I will post what I said and what they replied with so people can see where I get.
I doubt if it's even possible to upgrade a party of 5 on all 4 legs of your flights. They might be able to upgrade some of you on one or two of the legs.

You don't really want miles as compensation. AA miles are difficult and expensive to use nowadays. Really not worth it -- which is why I canceled my main AA credit card.
I figure, there is nothing I can lose by asking for their help now, because what I have isn't what I want or need and what I can change to keeps the status quo.
Right, you have absolutely nothing to lose by asking for some compensation. I doubt they'll give you money, but you don't know until you ask.

Whether you get compensation or not, you are still trying to make the best vacation you can given the flight changes.
 
I think your expectations with AA are probably too high!

But I am not sure what you want? You already know AA doesn't have a flight you like. They aren't going to give you much of anything else besides the options you have or a refund. They MIGHT throw a few thousand miles your way.

You might try asking on FlyerTalk (but I warn you they can be brutally honest)

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage-733/
 
I would fly in the day before, and ask AA to pay for the extra night in the hotel.

Even if they say no, it's free for you to ask.
 
This has happened to me 6/6 times now with my 2 recent changes being 4 hour differences for my trip to Anaheim in Sept. Which had both already changed once. American is the ONLY airline I have ever had this problem with. I will pay more to never fly them again.
 
What about this option taking the 6:54 PM Delta Flight and then flying out the morning of the 22nd. There is a 6:45 AM Flight that gets in at 12:33 PM with a layover in Seattle staring at 9:47 AM for 1 hr and 43 min. Having done a 7 AM flight from MCO to SLC I can tell you that there is a bunch of people snoring. ME picked us up at 4 AM and CBR Bell Services was at our door to get our luggage and us in their van at 3:30 AM. Cost to do this is $1970 plus an extra night for a room which I am seeing $182 for AS Sports or $274 at POFQ not including the tax which would not eat up all the $595 difference between this flight schedule and what you originally had booked. The POFQ room is $308.25 including taxes on a room only and since if you had the dining plan you would be able to use it up on your package ending the 21st even though you would check out and then check in as a room only you still have it till 11:59 PM that same day. At best you would need to have some breakfast before you left and that is what granola bars, or those small boxes of dry cereal eaten without milk are for if you don't want to try and get something in the airport. I can tell you from experience that the fruit and nut packet that Delta has on the main cabin menu (comes with a muffin as well I think I had blueberry but it has been over 9 years) is really delicious and not too bad on price. (what can I say there was nothing open at MCO before we left and I was starving. My kids and DH had a personal pizza that I used our last counter service credit to get and I did have the salad (allergy to tomatoes for me so I couldn't have a slice of the pizza) and I was supposed to get part of the apples and caramel dip that I used our last snack credit on but the kids ate all of those and they had the bottle of juice that I had gotten to go with the meal. We got the food the night before and just put it in the room fridge (ate the pizza and salad before Bell Services got there and took the apples and the juice with us to enjoy while waiting for ME to get there).
 
You're not doing anything that would land you on a "naughty list," if they even have one...which I doubt.I doubt if it's even possible to upgrade a party of 5 on all 4 legs of your flights. They might be able to upgrade some of you on one or two of the legs.

Airlines do keep track of complainers. They will "fire" customers they see as problems.

That said, I firmly agree with your statement that nothing here would even come close to being labeled as a problem. AllyReggie has a legitimate and substantial complaint. To get on a naughty list, you'd need to knowingly break policies and/or complain multiple times about minor issues.

I think different people had different experiences with Red-eye flights, and that's ok. I know lots of people hate red-eye flights, but they have and always will be my first choice. YMMV

I'm with you here. I fly between Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles often to visit family. My preferred return flight is always the red-eye.

Sadly, we're in the minority. That's likely to be part of the problem here. Red-eye flights simply aren't popular with most people. As such, they are usually the first ones to get canceled because they have fewer passengers.

In the end, I think your best course of action is to wait. Airline schedules do change often when it's still 3 months out. One of the times I was in this situation, the flight was canceled and reinstated a few days later.

Airlines typically do their major schedule alternations over the weekend. Although it's not easy to have uncertainty, try to avoid thinking about this problem over the weekend. Check American's website late on Sunday or Monday and see if anything changed. If you don't currently see any options that make you happy, waiting a few days isn't going to matter.

I certainly feel empathy for you. Like I said, I've been there. And I commend you on your research. I wish hive mind here would have been able to offer a solution. But, it looks like the flight you want doesn't exist right now.
 
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(the needing an additional hotel night problem)
I would fly in the day before, and ask AA to pay for the extra night in the hotel.

Exactly I don't understand why getting there the night before is an issue. "A full day in the park" I think is a slightly ambitious when arriving in the morning and having likely limited sleep and what you did get was not exactly comfortable.

Get them to pay for the hotel or ask them for a fare reduction of just $25 per person (could possibly just get points equivalent since you seem to want those and just book one yourself for $100 for a single room. Everyone can cram in for a single night since its really just for a quick sleep and early rise the next morning (for a real full day in the parks and with actual rest). There is a ton of hotel options with free shuttles.
 
Be fair - maybe, "welcome to the world of commercial air travel in the deregulation era"? ;)

I fly every other week on Southwest and never issues like this. I have been on AA exactly once in the last 5 years and the only way I got home was me personally moving my flight time. They had mechanical delays for 5 hours and then ended up needing to cancel because of inclement weather at the destination but were planning on blaming the weather to avoid paying for hotels.

So no its not the world of air travel.
 
OP, I get it. I have a cruise planned and the only reason I booked it was to go to Cuba. Due to recent travel restrictions our port was changed from Cuba to Grand Cayman. Very disappointing. I can get a full refund, but I've already booked my airfare and paid for a hotel via Hotwire (non-refundable). In order to make it a bit more palatable, the cruise line is offering a $100/pp onboard credit. It would be nice if the airline did the same.
 

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