[Randy Jones]

I really dont know if this is the correct area to post this but it will have to do. I purchased 13 tickets to Haiti and a friend purchased 5 back in October 20,2009. Yes I did purchase non transferable and non refundable. I was taking a team to the island to rebuild a church in March , and of course now most cannot go because of health and emotional concerns but I have several people willing to go in their place. Any advice my time is running out. AA so far have refused to transfer names on the tickets.

[The_Judge]

I haven't looked at AA's (or any airline's sites) but in cases of disasters (weather usually, storms and such) they offer a grace period for travel. This disaster is so big, maybe they've changed the rules on some of their tickets as far as getting refunds. I know March is a ways off yet but check with them to see about refunds. Name changes for some reason always seem to be off limits. I don't see the big picture on that and never will. I'm sure it's a money thing to them but it's very easy to change a name on a ticket, behind the scenes. It takes all of 10 seconds and 2 entries.

If they don't refund it and coninue to stand where they are on the name change, I don't see what else you can do. Try to talk the original people into traveling as help is certainly needed more than ever now.

[Randy Jones]

Thanks Troy but part of the problem is some of the original party are just children. And their parents. I understand their concerns. Thanks again

[jimworcs]

It is perfectly possible that AA will not be able to fulfil their contract. The airport is currently totally tied up with emergency aid, and I suspect that normal airport operations are unlikely to be operational by March. I would adopt a wait and see attitude, as AA may have to refund you because they are unable to operate the flights.

The back up plan would be to generate some negative publicity which seeks to make money out of people who want to go and help the Haitians during a disaster... local stations may be interested in that angle.

[mars6423]

i agree with jim on what he said, chances are that there will be no comercial flights going there anytime soon including march, and AA will refund you

however just for the slim chance that they are flying, there is no chance of changing a name on a ticket (unless you get married i think maybe the only exemption) they do not allow that for any reason on any airline (i believe some security reason) so the best thing would to see if those who cannot go can get a refund or at least credit with the airline as they will not be going and that the horrific events in haiti have forced them to change their minds in the meaning of safety (they should be understanding or they should complain and get the story out)

if you do go there, i know that religion is very important to them and especially in times like this, but maybe a change in plans would be more meaningful, help build houses so that people can have sheltor and away from the components

(i was/am thinking that i may take some time to go down there and help build homes during the summer or when available........i have a family member who went to sri lanka i believe it was a few years ago after a tsunami and helped rebuild homes along with members of the company)

[jimworcs]

The reasons airlines do not allow a name change is nothing to do with security. It is perfectly safe and legal to make the change and there are no security implications in doing so.

The reason is financial. It would be possible for a travel agent to bulk buy tickets in fictitious names at cheap prices and then sell them on to new customers at the prevailing price, as the departure date gets closer. They would simply substitute the fictitious name for the customer name. This was done in past. Airlines now see it as a double bonus.. because no matter the circumstances, they can refuse a change and make money by reselling your seat when you don't turn up.

[Randy Jones]

I have had a name changed for medical reasons in the past and I was wondering why it was so hard to get a name changed. But this info is helpful

[Leatherboy2006]

Here in Dallas were AA is based out of they have been reporting on the news along with the Haita news that AA is not flying scheduled passengar flights there due to the situation.
For everyone in the USA before you consider giving money to Haitia please consider that people here need help also and so much money and supplies are going there while food banks and aid organizations here are struggling for funds and supplies.

[jimworcs]

I hope Leatherboy, people do not take your advice. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It badly needs all the monetary support it can get. The supplies going in now are purely lifesaving and relief. People need to give money, which will assist with the long term reconstruction. This is a humanitarian disaster on the scale of the Tsunami, and needs a worldwide response which is sustained. The fact that it is so close to the US would make it all the more shameful if people took your advice and then watched as their close neighbours starved to death on their doorstep.

Fortunately, that won't happen. The US is one of the most generous nations on earth and hopefully no one will take your advice. At times like this, we need people to give as much as they can. The charities based in the US may well be hurting due to the economic situation, but their problems pale by comparison to the crisis faced by the people of Haiti.

The chances of AA having any flights to Haiti by March are very slim and I think the OP will get a full refund.

[Leatherboy2006]

Sorry Jim, but I am sick and tired of the US giving and giving and then other countries turn around and tell us how evil we are, burn our flag, become terrorist against us. its time the US starts filling its own food banks, caring for its own elderly(elderly here have to decide weather buy their meds or food).
We have to many people living under bridges now. Countries like Haiti and Africa refuse to use birth control and then hold the rest of the world hostage by shoving its children on to camreas.
Tired of my tax dollars going over seas, I want it to stay at home.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

History has shown that the vacuum of extreme poverty, and a weak to non-existant government, is almost always filled. True, within the next ten years, the American flag could well be burned in the streets of Port au Prince. But the result of doing nothing now is the near certainty of having a Somalia-type "non-government," headed-up by drug lords or who knows what, near US shores.

As to the people living under bridges: Until those living to the east and south of Dallas County stop voting Republican that will continue.

[jimworcs]

We will have to agree to disagree Leatherboy.. but even people living under bridges have it easier than those living in Haiti right now. There are some sweeping statements in your response which would take too long and represent too big a drift from an airline complaint to respond to. But, the largest funder and supporter of terrorist acts against the British in the 1970's and 1980's were people in the US. The US Government refused for many years to take action against them (NorAid), despite us being the closest ally of the US. Terrorism has strange bedfellows.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

for this post, but here goes:

One must remember that the context of US aid to Jerry Adams, and his group--most of which came from private, rather than government, sources--was that it was politically expedient (for domestic politics) to do so. Just about anyone running for office in Massachusetts was obligated to find something nice to say about Adams. Likewise, the fact that, today, about 50% of all US foreign aid goes to Israel is based on the same domestic political motives.

[Randy Jones]

Hey guys I did not mean to start an online squabble. You all make very good points about giving. But it is a personal matter. If you ever heard the story of the starfish then you know. You help when you can , who you can and how you can no matter what others think.
After I finally talked to a live person They have agreed to change the names on as many tickets as I need :For a fee of course lol But it is an answer to prayer anyway. Their goal is to be flying back to Port au Prince by Feb.20 But this is uncertain. So I need to pray a little more. Thanks for considering my plight.

[jimworcs]

Butch,
I understand perfectly the domestic political forces at play, but the inaction of the US government was shameful, whilst their citizens were funding terrorists who were blowing up such military targets as a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Warrington, killing a 4 year old boy. Similarly today, there are many private citizens in the Middle East who make payments to Al Qaida. The US goverment is significantly less sanguine about those payments and seeks to freeze the assets of any bank that processes them.