Flight SNAFU at BA and AA

[luckydude]

Well, it would be worse if we take the trip and end up wandering around the airport with nowhere to go.

I will never again go to Europe in the summer, so can try again next year in spring or fall. However, where I want to go, the temperature is much better in fall than in spring, when it is still cold. And for next fall, one year is a long time and who knows what will happen to your health when you are getting old.

Dang. I have money but don't get a chance to spend it. Oh well, it's still better than not having enough money for food and housing, I think. I should not complain too much.

Maybe I will just stay home, order Wagyu beef and eat till it comes out of my ears. I don't even get access to waterways to take up boating like Robbie did. Oh well, just surf the Web, and keep expanding my DIY solar power system for a pastime, I guess.

Sorry to hear about your trouble with flights.

What you say about one year being a long time and not knowing what will happen to your health is so true. I think we as retirees are all in a race against father time and trying to get all the things we've always wanted to do done before age/health slow us down.

If it were me, I would risk it and do the trip anyway. Life is too short to wait another year.

 

[tulak]

The reason I did not book a flight through CDG was that there was no direct flight for PHX-CDG. There would be a stop in PHL, or JFK, etc... That's a long leg, and domestic flights have no premium economy seats. I have sworn off coach seats for domestic flights, unless it's shorter than 2 hours.

From Phoenix, I usually catch a Southwest flight to LAX, in order to go non-stop LAX-LHR, or LAX-CDG. I may try to change to PHX-LAX-CDG-LYS, or do CDG-LYS via train as you suggested.

I guess if I am not so frugal and go business class, I would have more choices.

Not just BA, but the whole Heathrow AP is all messed up from what I read. Schiphol is also a disaster zone.

I didn't realize the only non-stop flight to Europe from Phoenix is to London. That's not great. Flying to the East coast is a pain for transatlantic flights. Takes too long. I'd pay extra to avoid those flights.

Another option is fly to London and then book separate tickets in/out of London. Since you're visiting South Tyrol, maybe fly back from somewhere closer and make it one way trip instead of having to go back to Lyon? And take only carry-on and give yourself lots of time in London between flights.

Pre-covid, I was able to get a cheap flight to Gatwick on Norwegian Air and took the bus to Heathrow to catch my domestic European flight. It wasn't bad, but today I'd be worried about the longer waits at the airport. Heathrow is busy and it took us a bit over an hour to get through security. Long lines, but well organized. This was a few weeks ago and I suspect when you're traveling it'll be a lot easier. Not sure about Schiphol, but I'll find out soon enough.

 

[audreyh1]

The airlines are still recovering from "the covid incident"

I'll give them another full year before I want to fly again.

Yeah, pretty much. Fortunately my travel credits were extended again through 2023.

 

[NW-Bound]

An update for those who are curious.

I called AA last night. The computer scheduled a callback. They did 2 hours later, but my phone was set on silent. Missed the call.

Tried AA phone app chat, as suggested by the announcement on the 800 phone system. Waited 1 hour, then right as I was going to get an agent, got the session terminated. Back in the queue.

Called AA again early this morning. Computer scheduled a callback, said to expect 8 hours wait.

Tried the AA phone app again. This time got an agent after 1 hour wait. I had found new flight info, including a different return date when a connecting flight was available. Gave all the info to her. Waited a long time as their computer was slow. After 1/2 hour, she asked for my email. I took that as a good sign, because it was to confirm the new booking. She said I did not give her the correct email. Told her to try my wife's email, which worked. Somehow, I bought under my name, but with my wife being a registered passenger, it mixed up her email and mine.

She wrote that it was all done, and I could check the details on AA.com. I thanked her, and the chat was disconnected.

Right at that moment, the AA center called back. I thought about not answering, but decided to take the call to ask the agent to confirm the booking. Nope. I was booked to Heathrow, but no connection to Lyon.

While the agent was looking into this for me, I was somehow dropped back into the waiting queue. "Enter 1 if you like a call back". The expected wait was now only 1 hour.

I got a chance to go on AA.com to look. Surely enough, no Lyon connection at all. More than that, we got coach seats while I paid for premium economy. And I specifically reminded the agent of our seat class.

Very sad and upsetting.

When the callback comes through, I will tell them to cancel the trip.

 

[Koolau]

An update for those who are curious.

I called AA last night. The computer scheduled a callback. They did 2 hours later, but my phone was set on silent. Missed the call.

Tried AA phone app chat, as suggested by the announcement on the 800 phone system. Waited 1 hour, then right as I was going to get an agent, got the session terminated. Back in the queue.

Called AA again early this morning. Computer scheduled a callback, said to expect 8 hours wait.

Tried the AA phone app again. This time got an agent after 1 hour wait. I had found new flight info, including a different return date when a connecting flight was available. Gave all the info to her. Waited a long time as their computer was slow. After 1/2 hour, she asked for my email. I took that as a good sign, because it was to confirm the new booking. She said I did not give her the correct email. Told her to try my wife's email, which worked. Somehow, I bought under my name, but with my wife being a registered passenger, it mixed up her email and mine.

She wrote that it was all done, and I could check the details on AA.com. I thanked her, and the chat was disconnected.

Right at that moment, the AA center called back. I thought about not answering, but decided to take the call to ask the agent to confirm the booking. Nope. I was booked to Heathrow, but no connection to Lyon.

While the agent was looking into this for me, I was somehow dropped back into the waiting queue. "Enter 1 if you like a call back". The expected wait was now only 1 hour.

I got a chance to go on AA.com to look. Surely enough, no Lyon connection at all. More than that, we got coach seats while I paid for premium economy. And I specifically reminded the agent of our seat class.

Very sad and upsetting.

When the callback comes through, I will tell them to cancel the trip.

It's unfortunate, but the only "power" we have is to tell them to "go fish!" YMMV

 

[NW-Bound]

Well, AA center just called me back. It is going to end well, I think.

The agent this time was super good. She knew exactly what to do, immediately got me the connecting flight LHR-LYS. For the return trip, suggested that I either spent a night in Heathrow to catch the LHR-PHX flight next day, or changed the return date to 2 days later. With 2-1/2 hour layover both ways, I think it would be OK, so took the 2nd choice.

Just went to AA.com, and saw everything was to my liking. And yes, we keep the premium economy seats.

Before hanging up, I thanked the agent and told her that it should be so easy.

When you deal with someone who knows what he/she is doing, it makes a world of difference.

 

[tulak]

Sweet. Happy to hear that it worked out!

 

[NW-Bound]

^^^ Thanks.

I now replan my trip to see where I will spend the 2 extra days.

Planning is a big part of the fun for me. Lots of looking around on the Web. And when you drive, have to go on Google Street View to scope out parking spots. This is not easy, even in bitty towns. Many hotels have no parking spaces. In big cities, forget it.

My son-in-law made the mistake of taking a rental car into Paris. Not only there was no point in driving it around, he had to pay 20 euros/day to park it, and this was 15 years ago.

 

[audreyh1]

Wow what a relief!

So frustrating, but at least you finally reached the agent you needed.

When we get around to flying internationally again I think we will spend a night at connecting airports.

 

[tulak]

Don't forget parking in the small hill towns that everyone wants to visit. On our last trip in Provence, I dropped the family off at the top of the hill and parked at the bottom. It was a nice workout hiking back up, especially with the heat.

London is a great place to have a day or two stopover, especially when flying back (no jetlag). I've done this a few times now. The only downside is London is expensive, so you have to get creative. And if you're not into the touristy stuff, there's still plenty to do. On the last trip, I went to the theater instead.

 

[NW-Bound]

Don't forget parking in the small hill towns that everyone wants to visit. On our last trip in Provence, I dropped the family off at the top of the hill and parked at the bottom. It was a nice workout hiking back up, especially with the heat.

London is a great place to have a day or two stopover, especially when flying back (no jetlag). I've done this a few times now. The only downside is London is expensive, so you have to get creative. And if you're not into the touristy stuff, there's still plenty to do. On the last trip, I went to the theater instead.

No, I parked at the bottom and everybody hiked up. Good exercise never hurts anyone.

Thought about staying in London for a couple of days, but I did not feel like it, when thinking about the hassle. At some airports, one can walk from the terminal to an airport hotel. This would be OK.

 

[audreyh1]

Flying out of Heathrow to return to the US one time long ago, we stayed at a super nice B&B out in the country with airport transportation. We enjoyed an outdoor afternoon tea, then dinner. We were dropped off at the airport after breakfast in the morning. It was lovely. Very peaceful and relaxing.

 

[ivinsfan]

If I was NW I'd be logging on to AA everyday to make sure nothing gets changed or messed up.

 

[tulak]

Lots of good places to stay that are close to Heathrow. Even the Queen lives only 20 min away.

One thing I appreciate about London - and a lot of other European cities - is how easy it is to get to/from the airport. The underground goes directly to the airport and runs frequently and if you’re in a hurry, you can BTD and get to Paddington station in 16 min.

 

[NW-Bound]

Maybe next time I will think of a longer layover in London.

The time of our last visit was 15 years ago or so. I can go back to see something different. Will not revisit the British Museum, or Buckingham Palace, for example.

If I was NW I'd be logging on to AA everyday to make sure nothing gets changed or messed up.

Yes. The emails of the changes from AA.com are erratic.

Meanwhile, back to trip planning, the routes to drive, what hotels to stay, what food to eat. I have more than 1 month in this trip to wander around a bit.

When we were in Lyon many years ago, it was the spur-of-the-moment day train ride from Geneva, and there was not enough time to try some of the dishes such as quenelle.

For me, trip planning is half of the fun.

 

[audreyh1]

I don’t know what you enjoy, but beyond the famous Lyon gastronomy, there are lots of Roman ruins around. Some in the city near the old cathedral on the hill, and some very nice ones scattered around Vienne 34km south of Lyon, which also has a large Roman museum. I think we enjoyed the downtown Vienne Roman temple the most.

A boat trip on the Saône is very nice and easy to do.

It’s a pretty cool funicular ride up to the highest part overlooking the river and city of Lyon. Nice overlook next to the old cathedral. And an old Roman amphitheater is nearby.

Lyon became wealthy as a silk manufacturing city plus other textiles, so there is a cool textiles museum, plus another artisan shop where we watched someone silkscreening silk scarves.

 

[NW-Bound]

^^^ Thanks for the info.

I save Lyon for the end of the trip, when I turn in the rental car early. And because it's at the end of the trip, my research has not gotten to that point yet.

Will check out the surrounding attractions, and keep the car for another day or two to go see them.

 

[audreyh1]

We took a 30 minute train ride down the Rhône to visit Vienne (small city) and visited various sites on foot, plus walked across the river to the museum. We did do a considerable amount of walking, including a steep hike up to the Belvédère du Pipet which had a great city and river overlook plus a view down into the large Roman theater which is used for concerts today.

Regardless tons to see in Lyon itself which we thought was a delightful city.

 

[athena53]

%&$$#@!

Just got off the phone with AA. I'd hoped to change to an earlier flight out my home airport to lengthen my layover in DFW (currently 2 hours 15 minutes). With lounge access, I'm happy getting there earlier. the computer essentially re-priced the entire itinerary. Yes, I could, for another $7,000.

Of course I can go to the airport early and ask to stand by, but wow.

 

[NW-Bound]

We took a 30 minute train ride down the Rhône to visit Vienne (small city) and visited various sites on foot, plus walked across the river to the museum. We did do a considerable amount of walking, including a steep hike up to the Belvédère du Pipet which had a great city and river overlook plus a view down into the large Roman theater which is used for concerts today.

Regardless tons to see in Lyon itself which we thought was a delightful city.

No car needed is good.

About the funicular, that time when we did a day trip via train to Lyon from Geneva, we walked from the train station Lyon Part Dieu, and wandered across town to the Cathedral Saint Jean Baptiste. That's where the funicular starts, as I look on the map just now.

Can't recall if we saw the funicular to take us further up hill to the Basilica or not, but even if we saw it probably decided against it because did not have enough time.

I do remember on the way back, decided to buy bus tickets to save our legs.

PS. I also remember the train from Geneva stopped due to an emergency some miles from Lyon. The conductor explained that somebody got ran over by the train. No, it was a long train, and I did not see the victim.

They had to investigate the accident. We had to wait for a bus to come pick us up to deliver us to Gare Part Dieu. Hence, we lost some time that day.

 

[threeonesix]

Are you close enough to go to PHX and talk to a real person at the AA ticket desk?

I did ICT-DFW-FLL then the return trip last week. Travel dates 7/25 and 7/29. All 4 flights were delayed by at least 1.5 hours. Wasn't a problem for me, I booked long layovers knowing things with AA were a mess.

What I wanted to point out was that both times I walked through DFW every single AA customer service desk had a line at least 200 people long. Felt sorry for the flyers but not as much as for the AA employees.

For the time being, I won't be flying AA. I will do whatever I have to do to avoid AA. And I have a LOT of business trips between ICT and FLL/MIA coming up. Basically every two weeks between Sep - Jan. Might just have to tell my company to put me up in an apartment in Miami for 6 months so I can avoid all of these hassles.

 

[NW-Bound]

^^^^ Uh Oh. Maybe when the travel date comes near, I may have to bail out and cancel the trip.

All my travel research would be for naught.

I did some research for my 2020 intended trip to Scandinavian countries. A cruise leg, a train leg, plus some driving. COVID hit, and of course nobody went anywhere.

I probably will do the above trip next, but will have to start from scratch with the research. Memory's not that good nowadays.

 

[Koolau]

%&$$#@!

Just got off the phone with AA. I'd hoped to change to an earlier flight out my home airport to lengthen my layover in DFW (currently 2 hours 15 minutes). With lounge access, I'm happy getting there earlier. the computer essentially re-priced the entire itinerary. Yes, I could, for another $7,000.

Of course I can go to the airport early and ask to stand by, but wow.

Be sure to put this in the inflation thread!

 

[gayl]

%&$$#@!



Just got off the phone with AA. I'd hoped to change to an earlier flight out my home airport to lengthen my layover in DFW (currently 2 hours 15 minutes). With lounge access, I'm happy getting there earlier. the computer essentially re-priced the entire itinerary. Yes, I could, for another $7,000.



Of course I can go to the airport early and ask to stand by, but wow.

[emoji2962]

 

[ivinsfan]

I did ICT-DFW-FLL then the return trip last week. Travel dates 7/25 and 7/29. All 4 flights were delayed by at least 1.5 hours. Wasn't a problem for me, I booked long layovers knowing things with AA were a mess.

What I wanted to point out was that both times I walked through DFW every single AA customer service desk had a line at least 200 people long. Felt sorry for the flyers but not as much as for the AA employees.

For the time being, I won't be flying AA. I will do whatever I have to do to avoid AA. And I have a LOT of business trips between ICT and FLL/MIA coming up. Basically every two weeks between Sep - Jan. Might just have to tell my company to put me up in an apartment in Miami for 6 months so I can avoid all of these hassles.

How is the fault of the AA customer service people that things are hosed up beyond belief.. Answer, it isn't. We should be grateful they actually show up at work knowing the crapshow that will have to endure.. I had major and I mean major issue when my Mother died and yes it was Delta's fault. I stood at the service counter after missing the last possible connection. I couldn't help myself and started crying trying to explain the circumstances. The gentleman helping me gave me a kleenex starting checking all adjacent airports and got me close enough to have a BIL come and pick us to attend family services. He handed me our tickets and said I am so sorry for your loss. That meant a lot.