Because of the WTC tragedy, I had to cancel an AA flight and pay a $100 fee to re-book it for another day. (It was my fault, so the added payment didn't particularly bother me.) <BR>However, I called AA today to find out why my new tickets still had not arrived, and, lo and behold, I learned THEY had cancelled the second flight. Did they offer me $100? Of course not. They hadn't even called to tell me of the cancellation. <BR> <BR>Gerry K

What's your point? So you had to call in order to get the problem resolved. Were you out anything but a phone call? Don't expect every airline transaction to go without a hitch? Wasn't that way before 9-11 and it sure won't be that way in the future.

Joe guess you don't read. It appears that he was out an additional $100.00 because of their ineptness. Why shouldn't he be upset. They didn't do their job and he is expected to pay for it?

xxx: Gerry stated that it was her fault and she did not mind paying the penalty fee. Where did the airlines ineptness come into play here? And it is not required that the airline call. They do it as a courtesy only. It is the passengers responsibility to call and reconfirm their flights at least 48 hours prior to departure. With all the airline cutbacks it should be no surprize that flights are being cancelled.

I had never called to confirm in the past however, that's changed. I had a flight cancelled with AA in which I was connecting with an international flight. AA didn't call me just had their system change the times. There was a major problem with that as they gave me just five minutes between flights. I decided to make a major change at which time I was told I would have to pay 150 more. I called a second time untill I spoke to someone who agreed to waive the fee. I explained that it was due to their cancelling my original flight that required my changing my return date. They finally agreed.

Have any of you ever entertained the thought of using a TRAVEL AGENT???? The airlines are responsible for notifying you when THEY have instilled a major change to your travel plans, and you are supposed to have the opportunity to agree with it, or they MUST REFUND YOUR MONEY....WITHOUT PENALTY...They do not have to do any of the above if YOU EFFECT the change.....Please start using a travel agent....for your own protection...if you have enough money to blindly pay out the gazoo penalty fees, then you can most certainly afford the small fee a travel agent will charge you....and you have a safety net...

Joey Dear,<BR><BR>What is my point??? HELLO???<BR><BR>They "fine" me $100 for cancelling my flight and changing it. When they do exactly the same, there is no penalty.<BR><BR>GK

Been there, done that, Gerry K. I know how you feel.<BR><BR>(Joe does seem to have a reading problem.)<BR><BR>E<BR><BR>

Yes, it is the passengers responsibility to call 48 hours in advance to confirm that all is well. HOWEVER, when we recently did this we were given a change because of a cancelled flight and it would have made us miss the wedding we were going to. At that time we could have re-booked for an additional $640 ( an an original rt tkt. we had paid $160 for ) We could not afford to do this so our whole trip was ruined. If they had notified me earlier we could have worked it out. Now they say we cancelled, not them and we aren't entitled to even a refund!

Carol,<BR>I feel hesitant to say this but I assuming you didn't use a travel agent! That shouldn't have happened to you! I have seen that happen so many times and I am notified of the change. If it is not acceptable, I have the airlines protect my client on a flight that will still work for them. It's called Rule 240 and they have to do it but they sure aren't going to tell you about it!

Putting it plainly, A/A sucks.<BR>A/A didn't become the largest carrier for domestic travel,and Latin America by giving away money. Those of us in the industry know very well how American<BR>Airlines operates. This may sound cruel but of all the U.S. carriers that this could have happened to I'm glad it was American. Of course I wouldn't want this terrible tragedy to ever happen in the first place, but regardless of this fact American is the hardest airline to work with. There are plenty of other carriers that do offer better customer svc. But the trick is the routing, talk about a monopoly, A/A has it sewn up. Continental is a very good airline and has won the J.D.Powers award in customer svc, and on time performance for a couple of years in a row. The point being I just don't like A/A. It's tough when they have the best routes, and new planes, but they are a ----- to work with. Try Continental<BR>p.s. I do not work for Continental

Just who made it the passenger's responsibility to learn that a flight has been cancelled? Seems a bit ridiculous to me.<BR><BR>E

Karen, are you telling us that if we spend several hundred dollars, or even thousands, and the airline cancels the flight, they need only tell us out of courtesy. That they really have no obligation to tell us anything? Good grief, get real.<BR><BR>

Come on folks,<BR><BR>I can not believe that you call yourselve's SEASONED travelers. The most important thing you can remember is THE AIRLINES BEST KEPT SECRET RULE 240. If the airlines effects a change, or out right cancels a flight IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILTY, to reaccomodate you on flight as close to your original flight plans as possible. A 2, 3 or even longer delay IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. Of course, I have asked before, "HOW MANY FIGHTS HAVE YOU EVER WON WITH THE AIRLINES?", and you say travel agents provide HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. You have bought in GOOD FAITH a ticket for xx amount of dollars, to fly at so and so times on such and such dates. If they cancel the flights, it is their SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO REACCOMODATE YOU

Come on folks,<BR><BR>I can not believe that you call yourselve's SEASONED travelers. The most important thing you can remember is if the airlines effects a change, or out right cancels a flight IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILTY, to reaccomodate you on a flight as close to your original flight plans as possible. A 2, 3 or even longer delay IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. Of course, I have asked before, "HOW MANY FIGHTS HAVE YOU EVER WON WITH THE AIRLINES?", and you say travel agents provide HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. You have bought in GOOD FAITH a ticket for xx amount of dollars, to fly at so and so times on such and such dates. If they cancel the flights, it is their SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO REACCOMODATE YOU<BR>at no ADDITIONAL CHARGE. But if your pockets are soooooo deep, then I guess it doesn't matter. Of course if you had the protection of a travel agency, the point would be MUTE....it doesn't happen to our clients.....never has, and never will.

And just whose rule is the 240 Rule? It wouldn't be the airlines' would it? And if it is their rule, by whom are they obligated to follow it?<BR><BR>E

Believe it or not, they must live by the Rule 240 if you envoke it under the circumstance's I describe in my post. Be sure you have a paper ticket in hand, because on etkt, you will have to stand in their ticket line to have it converted. Interestingly enough, most airlines are now charging an additional $10.00 per paper ticket vs eticket. Maybe their Rule 240 isn't so secret anymore.....ummmmmm.