Flight Schedule Changes

[Yvonne]

"Got a notice 6 weeks ago - AA cancelled a flight I've been taking back to the states for what, 15 years? That 3:52pm. Bumba. Now my return flight is at 12:30pm. Lots of hours before I am used to leaving Negril... "

That's the one. It sure spoils those last few hours in Negril. That's been my preferred flight, too. I was NOT happy w/ the change & was very concerned that the connection time was cutting it close. Even with the slow lines (as in VERY, VERY) in immigration, I still had time to make my flight for the last leg. I won't be purposely booking that flight in the future. Not fun to lose those last hours & rush around in the a.m. Plus, I don't get to do my a.m. run if I have to be ready to head to the airport at 9 a.m.

[rastagirl777]

Yvonne, yup that was a HUGE bummer. I was prepared to go to battle and use up all my international minutes - then I looked at their schedule. The latest flight out was that 12:30 flight. And, to throw salt into the wound, they changed the time of my flight to SFO from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Now, not only do I have to use up valuable morning time (I usually swim, finish packing and bring my house stuff to storage AND go out for breakfast) BUT I have an extra hour layover in that skanky airport. Thank god for the Admirals Club and their free effin wifi. Now, there is a 4:30 flight to SFO but one never knows what's going to happen at Customs in Miami - so I opted for the free WiFi and pretzels.

Just a note to folks flying on American during their "hard times" (break out the tiniest violin, will ya?) - if you are planning on using frequent flyer miles be prepared for the royal screwing. AA always had the most liberal policies and lowest mileage counts for using miles - also the most seats and least blackout dates. Different story now, I'll bet on that. Expect way fewer mileage seats, especially in First and Business to be available. Personally, when I book for next winter I'm going to be doing four months out now as opposed to three (last year) or two (the year before).

[SweetSue]

Just a note to folks flying on American during their "hard times" (break out the tiniest violin, will ya?) - if you are planning on using frequent flyer miles be prepared for the royal screwing. AA always had the most liberal policies and lowest mileage counts for using miles - also the most seats and least blackout dates. Different story now, I'll bet on that. Expect way fewer mileage seats, especially in First and Business to be available. Personally, when I book for next winter I'm going to be doing four months out now as opposed to three (last year) or two (the year before).

Already ran into that problem with the American Airlines frequent flier miles. I used to be able to book decent flights for 12,500 miles each way, even the occasional NONSTOP, then it was 17,500 miles but in the last 2 weeks it has gotten crazy!! In Dec. 2011, I had a normal flight to NY via Miami for 17,500 miles plus tax ($56) & even was able to do a last minute change right before I left JA with no extra charges. Now if I want to use my miles, I have to take THREE planes instead of two and spend the night in Dallas or Memphis airports to arrive in NY as much as 24 hours later than when I leave Montego Bay. All of that to save $100 to $150??? Even looking 6 to 10 months ahead is not any better. I risk losing my title as Queen of the Cheap Flights to Paradise...

[rastagirl777]

Sweet Sue - I'm concerned too but can't even start looking until 4 months out, my calendar for work needs to be more finalized. I saw that last year - had to really work it to get just one stop (no such thing as a non-stop from SFO) and I'm a firm believer in never flying with more than one stop but might have to this year, who knows....

I do know I managed to get the one stop in Miami and use 60,000 miles for a First Class ticket when I booked last summer. We shall see how it goes this year...I'm hoarding those miles just in case...

Oh, and I might be in the running with you on the Queen of the cheap flight - I haven't "paid" for a flight to JA in over 10 years, probably close to 15...

[Lola]

Hmmm, almost an epidemic, LOL. I rec'd notice about a flight change to an earlier departure. I looked online, they are still showing the original flight (at greatly boosted fare, lol). I called Airtran, told them I see the flight and I don't want the change - they put my reservation back onto the later flight ☺ Try that?

[Yvonne]

Just checked the AA site... in the summer it looks like only 2 flights daily to Miami... 11:45 a.m. & 2:55 p.m. Used to be 5, if memory serves me (early a.m., one late afternoon, one early evening). The increased demand will drive the prices up & make connecting flights problematic for many. Sigh...

[Yvonne]

Just checked again booking w/ FF miles & the 7 a.m. flight showed up. It wasn't an option under regular booking, unless it was on another page. Still... increased demand.

[tfw73]

Had a flight change two years ago...from non-stop to one stop! Talk about frustrating! Everytime I check flights, the price has gone up. I am so thankful now I jumped the gun, or we may not be going!

[N5_]

AA changed the flight times on our non-stop from Dallas in May. Not a big deal...depart 30 mins to an hour earlier there and back. The kicker is the current price for seats on our flight - $1,029 per ticket. Glad we bought our tix last month.

[Coco]

AA just changed our flight times too. At least we arrive in MoBay an hour earlier