Yesterday I mentioned that I hoped travel on American Airlines was going to be a smooth. It wasn’t. The airline had equipment problems, I had missed connections, the airline offered little help, and I had extra cost for a one-way car rental.
First I want to give a couple of shout-outs to the American Airlines staff at the airport in Columbus, Ohio and flight crew on flight #3805. My teenager said they were fantastic.
Since my teenager was flying alone for the first time on American Airlines, I spent extra miles for her to fly first class from Columbus, Ohio to O’Hare. While some of my friends might consider it a waste to spend extra miles for a domestic first class on a short flight, I didn’t mind. As a mom, I felt better knowing my daughter was going to be comfortable and, hopefully, receive good service when flying alone.
Now back to the non-smooth flying day with American Airlines. I realize flights have delays and cancellations. But I didn’t realize the limited options for a passenger when equipment problems cause missed connections, which was the case for my teenager.
Unfortunately, equipment problems caused a departure delay for her flight from Columbus to O’Hare. The delay meant she was going to miss her connection which was also the last flight of the day to Green Bay. While this was taking place, I was waiting in the Admirals Club at O’Hare to eventually join her for the flight to Green Bay.
Given American Airlines lists a benefit of the Admiral Club as Same-day ticketing is available. You can also rebook. Boarding passes are issued, I asked for assistance.
Asking for help was a mistake. One of the 3 employees told me that she can’t do anything and that I need to ring the advantage desk. Why do they list rebooking as a benefit of the Admirals Club if it isn’t?
With no airlines having available flights into Green Bay the same night, the phone agent rebooked us for late morning the next day, and she waive all fees. (I don’t understand why there would be any fees, but I thanked her.)
In made my way to another Admirals Club at O’Hare to explore more options. While I found an agent willing to give me a hotel voucher for the Hilton, I didn’t want to spend the night at O’Hare. Furthermore, I didn’t want to miss an important meeting the next day, and I was frustrated with nominal choices consumers have when he or she has missed connections through no fault of their own.
To make a long story even longer, I wound up getting a one-way car rental with Hertz and driving with no sleep that night.
Now I’m trying to function with only 2 hours of sleep.
