We getting married on a Sunday, the 16th of this Sept. From the beginning we wanted our honeymoon not to start til Tuesday to give us one day. After we booked out trip to Sandals St. Lucia in January for Tuesday the 18th, American now canceled the flight on Tuesday and we have to get refunded and fly out on the Monday on Jet Blue early morning right after wedding for an additional $420 more. This throws everything off, from the increase in cost, to how we are getting from Connecticut to JFK airport in middle of night, to having to be really really being 100% ready before wedding and finally not being able to drink and have a good time to stay clear headed because we have to leave hours after the reception. American Airlines could care less and and actually told me to pick an different island. I am upset about the additional cost, and having to leave when I don't want to. Today we have to decide what to do and I am asking if there is a better all inclusive resort for adults as good s Sandals on another island other than Jamaica, Mexico or Dominique Republic. We have been to those places....or an island as unique as St Lucia??
American Airlines changing our honeymoon plans, need help
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The island of Grenada is a gorgeous,lush,island with nice people, better beaches than St.Lucia. Two excellent beach resorts are La Source and Spice Island Beach Resort, the latter on one of the Caribbean's nicest beaches. American flies there.
can you leave on wednesday??
Just check AA's website for the dates.
How can they cancel your flight and then charge you $420 EXTRA for the change that THEY MADE?? I've never heard of that. Sounds like you need to get a manager of some kind on the phone, and maybe fly out Wednesday instead?
American Airlines has "screwed" us over more than once. I hate that airline with a passion. And, no, they could care less to help or compensate in anyway. There attitude has always been "too bad for you". If I wasn't stuck having to use them to get to specific places because of my departure location I would never fly with them again and they could rot in bankrutpcy for all I care.
As for Sandals Grande in St. Lucia, we've been there and found it to be a very over priced subpar hotel with lousy food and customer service. They are only interested in their faithful repeat customer clientele. The Island of St. Lucia is beautiful, but not really a 'beach' destination.
I'm thinking the OP is stating they are having to pay $420 more because they switched from AA to Jet Blue and had to pay what their fare is.
I agree with Grenada and if you can get there by any other means than AA for a resonalbe cost difference I would do that.
I think I'd be inclined to choose another island rather than deal with the hassle of leaving a day early and not enjoy your actual wedding.
I'm not an expert on AI but I have spent one night AI on St. Maarten at a Sonesta resort. There are 2 on the island that offer room only or AI so you might consider AI for part of your stay. I recommend this as there are many good restaurants to enjoy and it would probably cost quite a bit less!
I think you would enjoy St. Martin/ St. Maarten and you could day trip to Anguilla to the best beaches in the world (imo!)
For an island like St. Lucia, lush with rainforest then Grenada would be a very good choice but probably a more expensive option if you have a tight budget.
Good luck!
Hi,
Did you book online or directly with the airline? The company that took your reservation should assist you. You should be refunded the full amount of your tickets.
Check out the Riviera Maya - fly into Cancun and drive about an hour south to the Playa del Carmen area. Check out the El Dorado properties for spectacular adult-only all-inclusive resorts with gourmet food, luxury accommodations, swim-up jacuzzi junior suites, private plunge pools, a lazy river. If you prefer to stay closer to Cancun, I would suggest the Excellence Riviera Cancun or the Excellence Playa Mujeres, which are more nightlife, but the same outstanding accommodations and experiences. Also, the Secrets resorts are fantastic, too - since I don't know you and your specific style, it is hard to give a personalized recommendation.
If you aren't sold on Sandals, check out Couples in Jamaica. They get rave reviews and tend to be more quiet and romantic than the Sandals. Again, it is hard to recommend something without knowing your personal tastes and style.
The best choice and selection of all-inclusives are Dominican Republic, Mexico and Jamaica....
Best Regards,
Julia
Respectfully suggest getting AA to change the flight to St Lucia for one to Barbados (departs JFK around 8:00 a.m daily) and then getting a LIAT (the local airline) to St Lucia.
Not perfect, but would avoid the cost of changing carrier from US to the Caribbean. LIAT is far from perfect, but you will get there on the correct day, though you didn't say where your original AA flight was from...
They should all be falling over for your business, as mid-September is the heart of the off-season.
Best wishes for your nuptials, and enjoy the lovely Islands, whichever you end up on...
I know a great Travel Agent if you need one, message me and I will put you in touch w/her. She specializes in Sandals and All-Inclusives.
Personally, I would not do an all inclusive in St. Maarten - too much to see and do there.
I've been to 4 Sandals (Antiqua, St. Lucia Grande, Beaches, and Grand Riveria in Ocho Rios - this one this past APR, and Beaches Turks and Caicos) and I went to Majestic Elegance this past Feb - which was VERY comparable to an Sandals. I would check into Iberostar and/or Secrets brands......or Excellence...anyways...good luck. It's unfortunate to how you were treated by AA.
You might also switch to the Sandals in Exuma in the Bahamas. Unless you really want a jungly experience.
There are also AA flights via San Juan to the more convenient airport near Castres. That might be available on a Tuesday and would cut your transfer time by more than alf.
What did AA offer you instead of the Tuesday departure? I know people whose flights have been cancelled but they have been moved to another AA flight (or offered a refund). I would try to find out what AA can do for you. Unless it's too late and you have your refund.
September is very low season in the Caribbean so often flights are greatly reduced. But you can usually get to San Juan and Miami easily enough and from there get another flight to the islands. Not as convenient and not ideal but not awful either.