AA cancelling LAX flights to Costa Rica

Old Sep 22nd, 2005, 10:52 AM
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Tami_J
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AA cancelling LAX flights to Costa Rica

I am so unhappy with American Airlines. We have had our November reservations for 6 months and they just informed us they are cancelling their flights from LAX to San Jose, CR. They have rebooked us (on a very full flight which means none of sit together) flying into Dallas-Fort Worth, and now, instead of arriving at 7:30am, we are arriving at 10pm. We had planned on driving directly to MA, but now need to find a hotel near San Jose airport.

Any suggestions for a hotel near the airport would be greatly appreciated. We will be only there for 8 hours so ambiance is not necessary, BUT I am a huge clean freak. Thanks for your help.
 
Old Sep 22nd, 2005, 12:49 PM
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Tami: How frustrating! Since you are arriving so late, the simpliest plan would be to stay close to the airport at 1) Garden Court Hotel or 2) Hampton Inn and Suites. Neither hotel has much of a "Costa Rican flair" rather more Americanize but within a 5 minute drive from SJO. Easy, clean, convenient. It has been my experience that airlines "open" seats for availability within two hours prior to departure. Therefore, seats that do not show availability now may open up on your day of departure. Arrive EARLY for check in and ask for new seat assignments ... especially if you are a family traveling together! ask for the bulkhead and again explain your circumstance of cancelled flight. It's worth a try! Lisa in Manuel Antonio
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Old Sep 22nd, 2005, 01:23 PM
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Talk to them (if you have flexibility) to see if you can fly in the day before (to Dallas) and take an earlier flight to San Jose. They rebooked you, but you don't actually have to accept the rebooking. Obviously you would be adding an extra hotel but it may be worth it. Also see if they can rebook you with any of their partner airlines that might fly there.

Good luck.

~gnr~
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Old Sep 22nd, 2005, 01:23 PM
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Sometimes if you call periodically, seats open up but the idea of arriving early is a good one.
Good Luck
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Old Sep 23rd, 2005, 08:29 AM
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I would also request that they pick up the cost of the hotel.
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Old Sep 23rd, 2005, 09:12 AM
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Tami_J
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Thanks everyone for the help.

I did call American as soon I got notified of the change, but we have almost no flexibility with our dates (we are going over the Thansgiving break with our two high school age children who will be missing a couple of days of school already). When I called American, I first tried other flights, but when that didn't work out, I asked them to sit us in first class as I checked and there were only two seats booked in that cabin. The response I got was sure if I wanted to pay for fisrt class. The American rep was less than friendly and she gave me 3 choices: keep my flight as rebooked, take an overnight flight to Miami with a 5 hour layover at 5am or cancel altogether. I have resigned myself to keeping the flight as rebooked and I will definitely get to the airport early and check regulary for open seats.
In the the near future, I will probably not patronize American, but unfortunately, I know this problem is rampant in the industry and could likely happen with any airlines. Oh well, hoping not to let this affect my vacation.
Thanks again to everyone.
 
Old Sep 23rd, 2005, 11:12 AM
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I would call again and talk to someone different. Sending an email to customer service may get you somewhere as well.

~gnr~
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Old Sep 23rd, 2005, 01:54 PM
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Yes, call back and talk to a manager in customer service.
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Old Sep 23rd, 2005, 07:33 PM
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LACSA has a direct flight from LAX to SJO.
I would dump American for a direct flight if it is available when you need it.

http://www.taca.com

Roger
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Old Oct 3rd, 2005, 11:56 AM
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Tami,

Any further updates? Noticed that above post mentioned a direct flight from LAX via LACSA .... might that be an code share option w/ American Airlines? I thought the Taca airline was part of the One World group along w/ American. Call AA and ask if they can get you on that flight.
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Old Oct 3rd, 2005, 05:16 PM
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Hi Tami,

Sorry to hear all the confusion over your flight plans to Costa Rica. We are flying to Costa Rica on American from LAX in April. Do you have any idea if American has cancelled all flights or just your flight? Have a great trip!!!
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Old Oct 3rd, 2005, 09:08 PM
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Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I would love to dump AA for Taca, but airfare prices have jumped so much since we booked that it is far cheaper to stay with AA even with airport hotel cost added.
I have since called AA again and there was a flight that leaves an hour earlier than the one they booked us on and at least we are sitting together now.

Calimom-
I was unclear when I said AA was cancelling flights from LAX to Costa Rica - they still have flights but they stop in DFW. I don't know if they are cancelling all non-stop flights from LAX forever but I know they cancelled all November and some December flights. Per news, AA is cancelling many routes due to high fuel costs. They may be looking at bookings and determining what is economical to fly and what isn't. I know November is still considered the low(green) season, but April is high season so they may keep that flight if it is full. I guess you could call AA, but they probably don't know yet themselves. Good luck.
 
Old Oct 4th, 2005, 01:42 PM
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If American does a code share with the other airline, they should be able to move you (since they cancelled your flight) without you paying a higher fare.

~gnr~
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Old Oct 4th, 2005, 02:41 PM
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Hi
Do not worry before you even start your vacation! forget about trying to deal with the airlines, I found out it is a lot les stresfull to just find a different accomodation and changed my own plans (besides i learned this is the attitud you have to have in costa rica, no worries) I paid $50 for a night at BRILLASOL HOTEL they picked up at the airport at 10:30 pm for free, breaksfast a la carte is included !!, next day the free shuttle offered to take me to the rental car company, i pick up my car and off I went!!!
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