AA "schedule change" but really they cancelled the flight. Any recourse?

[noah32]

So my family's flight home from San Diego (to ORD) for pesach got "changed." But it wasn't really changed, they cancelled the flight and re-booked us on alternative flights. Problem is my wife and I (and our kids) were on 2 separate itineraries (used points from each account). So now they re-booked us on 2 different flights - both of which are worse (one 7 hours earlier, and one around the same time but now with a stopover).

My question is - Do I have any recourse? Firstly I'm upset that flight was "changed" so close to the actual departure date (April 28) also that they put my wife on a stopover flight even though original ticket was nonstop. They did say they have nonstop availability the next day. Would they have to pay for a hotel?

It seems there is not much I can do. Just wanted to know if anyone has any tips. Thanks!

[AJK]

They're not going to pay for your hotel, but find better alternatives on your own and can call them. They should generally be accommodating.

[noah32]

They're not going to pay for your hotel, but find better alternatives on your own and can call them. They should generally be accommodating.

Thanks. Yes, I found a perfect flight on United that is nonstop at about the same time as the original flight. They said they will not put us on that flight. Should I HUCA?

[AJK]

Thanks. Yes, I found a perfect flight on United that is nonstop at about the same time as the original flight. They said they will not put us on that flight. Should I HUCA?

I should have been more specific. They're not likely to put you on another carrier this far in advance. Best you can do is better alternatives on the same carrier.

[noah32]

I should have been more specific. They're not likely to put you on another carrier this far in advance. Best you can do is better alternatives on the same carrier.

Gotcha. Yes, they have been pretty accommodating (on the platinum line at least:))

Thank you for your help!

[ReadsTheT&C]

Gotcha. Yes, they have been pretty accommodating (on the platinum line at least:))

Thank you for your help!

Delta moved my brother's flight time to Vegas 7 hours so that it would be a redeye. I called and asked for him to be put on the AA flight which was leaving around the same time as the original flight. They initially said no but when I reminded the agent of the interline agreement the airlines have she came back and said everything was done for both passengers on the itinerary. Just a data point but don't give up!

[noah32]

Delta moved my brother's flight time to Vegas 7 hours so that it would be a redeye. I called and asked for him to be put on the AA flight which was leaving around the same time as the original flight. They initially said no but when I reminded the agent of the interline agreement the airlines have she came back and said everything was done for both passengers on the itinerary. Just a data point but don't give up!

Thank you. I'm going to keep trying.

[PlatinumGuy]

Delta is far more generous than AA.

[davidrotts63]

Delta is far more generous than AA.

Democrats are more generous than Republicans

[jose34]

Similar situation with Southwest though, I had a direct flight they changed me and a friend who were flying on separate itineraries to a stopover flight. They changed me to one flight and my friend to another flight. A few days after the switch I changed my friend to my flight and let myself be on the stopover flight, kept on checking availability and night before the flight  finally found on the on a direct flight. I called up Southwest and they changed me and my friend ( who already used up his free changed)....

[ludmila]

Similar situation with Southwest though, I had a direct flight they changed me and a friend who were flying on separate itineraries to a stopover flight. They changed me to one flight and my friend to another flight. A few days after the switch I changed my friend to my flight and let myself be on the stopover flight, kept on checking availability and night before the flight  finally found on the on a direct flight. I called up Southwest and they changed me and my friend ( who already used up his free changed)....

SW is better than other US airlines in cs IME.

[noah32]

Similar situation with Southwest though, I had a direct flight they changed me and a friend who were flying on separate itineraries to a stopover flight. They changed me to one flight and my friend to another flight. A few days after the switch I changed my friend to my flight and let myself be on the stopover flight, kept on checking availability and night before the flight  finally found on the on a direct flight. I called up Southwest and they changed me and my friend ( who already used up his free changed)....

I've been doing that as well. A few seats opened up and I was able to get my wife on a direct flight (although not the same as me). almost a 9 hour time difference from the original flight. I was told this was all due to the 737Max being grounded.