[chopperlcmc]

Just spent hours trying to work out an unfortunate situation. My fiance and I were scheduled to fly to Eleuthera in the Bahamas for our honeymoon on Sept. 11th but hurricane Irene did alot of damage to the island. We received an email from the people we were renting from. It stated that the house they own, the one we rented, was severely damaged and un-inhabitable. They were sending us a full refund. We responded with, "Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the folks who live on the island of Eleuthera".

Now.... We try to explain the situation to the representative(s) from AA customer service and they would not sympathize with us. Would not give us a refund. They offered to give us a credit for the purchase amount providing we pay an additional $300.00 for fees. We had absolutely no control over the storm that leveled the island. We didn't just up and cancel our flight. We are faced with finding a new honeymoon destination 2 weeks before our wedding and that probably wont happen because of the lack of time. I now have Bridzilla on my hands thanks to American Airlines and their lack of compassion. The Rep. we dealt with was so uncaring, cold and callous it blew me away. I asked the gentleman what his name and employee number was and he said in his heavy Russian accent: "Jack Smith", I said.... you don't sound like any Jack Smith I have ever known!

Anyway, we have gotten nowhere with AA. They said we can have a credit for our $1200.18 tickets for the additional amount of $300.00 totalling $1500.18, we have no destination, they told us we (AA) are still flying in to Eleuthera on the 11th of Sept. and that we could still fly in too and stay in a hotel! That is what Jack Smith from Russia told us! Can you believe it?

So... we are in debt for a service we did not receive and AA doesn't care. They just want their money and then some! I will never, ever fly with them again.

[dfwgirl]

My sympathy to you for losing a great vacation. Even though I work for AA, I understand your situation. Your destination no longer existed. I had the same problem a few years ago when my hotel was destroyed by a hurricane through Cancun. Even though the airport was operating from the college downtown, and my hotel was closed, the travel agent would not refund our tickets because the airline, not AA, was still flying. The day before, we finally got a refund and a rebooking to PVR. Sorry to hear of your airport trouble. So many of us agents are very caring and understanding. We are not allowed to break some rules, or be disciplined, or just cannot run out and fix the weather/plane, as we would all prefer.

[Gromit801]

Well, here's the thing. While YOUR destination no longer existed, the destination of the flight still existed, meaning the airport. You paid for a flight from point A to point B. The airline was able to do that. What you do at point B, or what your plans are the airlines don't care about, and none of their concern. Their contract with you is to get you to the other airport.

Flight/Travel insurance is your best friend, especially if you have non-refundable tickets.

[jimworcs]

they told us we (AA) are still flying in to Eleuthera on the 11th of Sept. and that we could still fly in too and stay in a hotel! That is what Jack Smith from Russia told us! Can you believe it?

What is actually wrong with ths idea? You havnt cancelled the wedding. You still need a honeymoon. If there are nice hotels available and you have had a refund on the house you rented...why not book a hotel? I can't see what's wrong with that suggestion.

[BrightonLine]

OP bought non-refundable tickets and no insurance and expects the airline to refund his money even though they still will provide the service (flight)?
Read your ticket contract, next time get insurance.

[chriscolombo]

Although I empathize with your circumstances, non-refundable means just that... non-refundable. Although it is not your fault weather wreaked havoc on the Bahamas, it is also not the fault of American Airlines. American is not responsible for your failure to travel due to Irene. The $300 dollars you quote reflects a change fee of $150 per ticket. You agreed to this condition when you purchased the excursion fare, and in exchange you received reduced airfare. You are not in debt for services not rendered, because American offered you the service. You are the ones who declined to accept. Had American failed to provide you with transportation, then YES you are entitled to a refund. In the future, purchase flight insurance in case you need to cancel, or book air/hotel packages. When you buy a package direct from the airline and something goes wrong, you are refunded.