[jputneyjr]

I recentliy requested an upgrade from AA to a flight to the UK. It wouls cost 25k miles and $300. The agent said I would be wait listed, then asked if I wanted to be wait listed for the return. I said, clearly, no as I don't see the point coming back when I don't want to sleep. Anyway, I didn't get the upgrade going, but coming back I got to the airport, learned I was in business. Since I am platinum, I was not too surprised, since this happens sometimes for various reasons. Anyway, when the flight was over, I got an e-mail from AA thanking me for upgrading, using my miles, etc. I called AA, told them I had not asked for this upgrade, they told me tough luck, since I had flown it, I would be charged the miles and the $300.

So, if you ordered something on line, they had your CC details, that means they can send you stuff, and if you don't return it, they can charge you? I think that is clearly illegal. I am going to push on this, but of course they have the muscle.

BTW: Does anyone know if you can realliy jump airlines in terms of allegiance and status? Maybe it is an urban legend but I was under the impression one could take one's status (in this case platinum) to another airline... Any ideas as to whether that can be done and how?

[Ombudsman]

That was extremely shady. I would reccommend that you write a letter to customer service. You may get some compensation especially given your status. If the same had happened to me I would try to at least get the miles redeposited to your account. They probably won't refund the copay for the upgrade but airlines dole out miles all of the time for service issues. Mention in your letter that is what you feel would be fair compensation. Often suggesting an acceptable solution up-front will get better results than leaving it open-ended.

To answer your question, yes airlines do offer status matches. Having status with one airline and an interest in taking your business elsewhere means potential revenue to the competitor. Choose an airline that will best suit your needs given your travel patterns, either current or future, and also provides a comparable premium product. Sometimes an airline will offer you a carte blanche status match with no strings attached while others may require you to fly a set number of miles or segments in agiven amount of time to keep the matched status level so they know you are serious about giving them your business. A good strategy is to wait until late in the year to request the match as it will often carry over to the next year. Getting a status match now may have you scrambling to requalify with the potential of losing status at the end of the current year. One last bit of advice is to choose wisely as many status match offers are a once in lifetime so if you are granted the match and lose status you may not be able to get another match again with that airline.

Good luck on bioth accounts and please return to post your results. Safe and happy travels!

[jimworcs]

For a contract to be valid, there has to be a meeting of minds. I would write a demand from AA a copy of the transcript of your call, or the note made by the CSR at the time of your request for the upgrade. You should certainly follow Ombudsman's advice at write at a senior level and indicate that AA are being given an opportunity to put their error right and if they fail to do so you will move your elite status elsewhere. The snag is you ave to be prepared to do so, if the fail to respond.

[barbara65]

American Airline stole $1056.00 from my debit account for a trip I never book or took. I have written to customer relations as well the manager.however AA still haven't return ed my fund. can anybody out there help.

[azstar]

Somebody has apparently used your account fraudulently. You need to report it to the bank, not American Airlines.