American Airlines changed flight

Call them and request a flight change (look on the web and have an alternative in mind already, including flight numbers that you will read back to them). They will oblige you. No need to worry, just pick up a phone and call them and change your flight. Flight changes by airlines happen all the time, it's all done automatically by a computer. It's up to you to let them know what you consider an acceptable alternative. One hour in Philly is not sufficient for a connection because it's a very busy airport with multiple flights at once and you can't count on getting there on time to make such a tight one-hour window...don't accept this change.

I got so fed up once with 4-6 changes to one flight with American Airlines that I just asked them to cancel and give me my money back (the changes were considered "major", meaning more than 2 hours, so they had to legally refund my fare). I did this knowing that I could get a cheaper flight using a different airline, so it all worked out for the best in the end. I'm sure you can make it work for you as well.

I bet this has happened to a lot of people who follow this site. We had a 53 min. layover in LAX for an international connection That was if we got in on time.. I called United and was told that that was "legal". I refuse to run through an airport, just not a good "look" at 65! Magically, a few weeks later, our whole itinerary was changed for the better. We now have 3 1/2 hours layover. I'd rather sit and read and watch people than have a stomach ache worrying that we are going to miss a flight. What makes me mad is that you plan the flight and then it is changed. I know you can agree or not to the change but it's frustrating. One more not fun thing about flying.

Do what Agnes suggested. This happened to us a couple of flights ago. A change brought about a 1 hour connection instead of the 2 1/2 hour connection we'd originally had. We checked flight alternatives ourselves and called the airline to ask for the flight that left even earlier, with a 2h 45min connection. They were happy to change it. They said when the computer looks for alternatives for a canceled flight it only looks forward. We were happy to have some extra cushion time.

Yes, definitely do what Agnes said. I've had to do that with Delta on occasion. The key, I think, is to be ever so nice to the agent answering the phone. They didn't do the change, as pointed out it is done by computer. Have your alternatives ready even if it is via another city and/or another day. I start out saying there has been a change of itinerary and I need more transit time than the computer allowed me. Also look to see if you need to fly to Philly the night before...was that earlier flight completely cancelled?

Take notes, have your ducks in a row when you call and don't project anger.

And PS - just because the transfer time is legal in that airport doesn't make it doable or comfortable for me. And that's what I say if an agent quotes that to me. I will usually also add, have you been thru that airport and done a change in that time frame? How did it work for you. Would you have your Mom do a transfer time like that?

We pretty much fly Alaska Airlines and British Airways exclusively, but once in awhile end up with American for one of the segments. Just about every time we have had a schedule change in the American flight. The one time it was not OK I just called Alaska (the Irline that booked the flight) and was able to change it to the flight of our choice.

Thank you all for your quick responses.
We booked through a travel agent affiliated with our tour. Have left her a voice mail and email to call my travel buddy to fix the problem.

We don't mind flying into Philly a day early if necessary; can sightsee, get a hotel for the night and have plenty of time to catch the Venice flight. We just don't want to rush or miss the flight. At 66+ we don't like stress and can be somewhat flexible.

Some good advice here about changing flight; or your idea about arriving a day early.

I've never been to Philadelphia so don't know the airport layout.

Based on my limited experience with international travel through Philly, the layout would only be a small part of the problem.

It's always tricky flying from the west to the east coast due to the loss of time. To be able to take advantage of Philadelphia, you'd need to leave Phoenix very, very early. Otherwise, you'll get there late in the day and see almost nothing.

Furthermore, it's very generous of you to be willing to pay a hotel, move your luggage there, unpack for a night. However, you shouldn't have to do that if you don't want to. AA should be able to route you through another city if need be and still give you plenty of time to make your connection. As others have said, look up flights and have some ideas in mind. The agents are good trying to accommodate our needs. Once they've changed your itinerary, you have the right to counter offer. It's a negotiation.

Since the flight was booked through a travel,agent, it is the agent who will have to make the request for a change. Be very specific about what you want, whether it is an overnight layover in Philly, or a re-routing through a different city, with 3+ hours ( or whatevery you are comfortable with) for the layover.

Good news. Our travel agent got us back on our original flight. None of us could understand why the original flight still showed seats available but AA changed us. Now we'll just have to check frequently that they don't try that stunt again.

Thanks all for your responses!

Excellent news! I am glad it has worked out for you.

I don't know how soon you are traveling but even though you booked thru a Travel Agent, I would check the online booking every 2 weeks up to about a month out, then I go to checking every week. I check the flight times, the connection times and the seat assignments and that I have a specialty meal ordered.

I'm glad it worked out for you. I have one flight (through another airline) which has been changed multiple times since we first booked it. Most of the changes were very slight time alterations, but two were equipment changes. The last one resulted in our seat assignments being changed. I did call the airline for that one, but apparently our original seats are unavailable.

What was odd about this one, was that the day after I called and asked about the seats, I received a call from the airline offering us money to take a different flight since our current flight was oversold. The flight doesn't leave for over a month still, so I was very surprised. I was also a little bummed. If it were possible in any way, I would have taken the offer, but there's no way we could make the earlier flight they offered instead.

Having said that, if they up the amount of money I may decide it's worth the inconvenience. ;-) I can dream, right??

Gosh they always do that.....You should call the service center of American Airline and see what they can do the most. And if you are not satisfied with their suggestion, you gotta find another flight and change right away..

OP Said - "None of us could understand why the original flight still showed seats available but AA changed us."

It's simple - money. Your seats booked through your tour operator/travel agent were discounted and someone else called and was willing to pay significantly more money for them.

All I can say is to write your elected representatives and complain about the deceptive business practices being used by the airline industry. Only when complaints by constituents outweigh the money received from airline industry lobbyists will this situation change.

Work2travel said "All I can say is to write your elected representatives and complain about the deceptive business practices being used by the airline industry. Only when complaints by constituents outweigh the money received from airline industry lobbyists will this situation change."

Sorry, but this is Arizona. They don't give a rat's patootie about constituents. Not matter what they say, they lock-step with the Twit in Chief. It's a useless exercise to complain to them.

Right now we just have to stay diligent to be sure the flights are not changed and if they are, get them changed back.