[snowlane]

Due to a metro breakdown in Paris, I (along with about 15 other people) missed my flight to Dallas, with a connection to Orlando. In order to get out of Paris, my travel partner and I had to pay a ridiculous change fee. The ticketing desk was incredibly rude, and then quoted us a price of $280 to change the ticket (where we would technically be on standby) or a total of $408 to guarantee seats on the next flight, which would not be until the following morning. We decided to think about it, and eventually went back to change the flight and pay the $408. We were then told we were misinformed and the charge was $475. Tired and just wanting to get home, we agreed to the costs.

We had several service issues with the trip, among them nearly missing our connection (after being assured by no less than five agents that we would have plenty of time) but only making it because of mechanical problems. Also, not having seats together because the agents thought we would "miss the flight." Plus, being yelled at for stowing my bag under my seat by an attendant that I was told to do by another attendant. However, what happened after I got home is what is frustrating me the most.

After returning home, my travel partner and I checked our statements and found that we had both been overcharged by American. I received a charge of $571 and my partner a charge of $569. I immediately contacted American through e-mail. They replied four days later and told me that the system showed a charge of $505 and that they would need my statements. She supplied me with the fax number, which I later discovered was not a valid number. I found the correct one and the next day faxed not only our bank statements, but also a letter detailing the lack of service we received and our receipts for $475.

It has been a week and I have not heard back from American. I would appreciate at least an e-mail or a phone call or something to let me know that they even received the documents. For all I know, they never got there and the representative is waiting for them. I called American to see if this could be verified, but of course, the only number is for reservations and they do not have access to this information. The woman also informed me that it has only been four business days so that they still have leeway. Confused, I asked how it was only four business days and she told me that the customer service department had the Monday after Easter off. Right. Because everyone else in the US did too.

I'm just frustrated that I have no way of contacting customer service to see if my stuff even arrived. Plus, I think it is ridiculous that I now have to wait and am forced to pay interest on the additional money I was charged. I filed a dispute with my credit card company and I believe they will probably fix the charge before American contacts me.

[The_Judge]

You're in a foreign country. You are being quoted prices in the local currency.......Euros. The almighty dollar isn't as mighty as it used to be. I just did a quick conversion now and 475 Euros is about 620 USD so you got a deal.

[snowlane]

No. I asked and they specifically said dollars, PLUS it says USD on the receipt.

[The_Judge]

I stand corrected then. Good luck with the refund. Trying to get one from an airline is trying to steal the beer from my hands.......very very difficult.

[PHXFlyer]

The refund process can take up to 30 days. Usually it is less, but they have that long to respond and the credit should appear shortly thereafter. If 30 days passes without resolution contact your credit card issuer immediately and start a chargeback process. That usually kicks things into high gear.

[seneam]

Face facts, American Airlines are no better than the guy that steals a handbag from a grandmom. They're simply common thieves. You'll never get your money back. I just had something similar happen to me with AA. I needed an infant ticket for a lap child for a flight to Mexico. They told me it would cost $50, but I had to pay for it at the airport, because of some idiotic restriction. Upon arrival at the airport, they said that they made a mistake, and the $50 ticket would actually cost $250. I complained, but they didn't care. When I got the credit card bill, it actually cost $300. Amex or AA would not give me a refund. They're all a-wholes. I hope they all go out of business, and we would all be better off.

[The_Judge]

I hope you blamed Amex too then cuz apparently they agreed with the charges if they wouldn't refund it.

[seneam]

I complained to Amex, but they sided with AA. Because I actually signed off on the $250 that they extorted from me, Amex had to side with AA. I complained that AA was using unfair business practices by telling me one thing on the phone then something different at the airport. That's why I'm saying that the guy will never get his money back. They're all in it together.

[jimworcs]

If you signed off on $250 and they charged $300, I suggest you call the police. That is theft.

[The_Judge]

I will completely agree that getting one piece of info on the phone and then another at the airport is frustrating. You've done your homework by finding out in advance what you should be paying. Then only to find out it's a different amount. That part is wrong.

The money, however, is a tax. Extortion........pah-leeze. It does not go to the airline. It goes to the government so the airline is making nothing. And to be quoted such a drastic difference is odd. It is really quite a straight forward procedure for an agent to plug in the info to get the amount. There should be a breakdown on your receipt. I'd be interested to know what it says.

You also mention that "they're all a-wholes. I hope they all go out of business, and we would all be better off."

They may all be "a-wholes" but I'd seriously doubt if we would all be better off. Takes a steam ship a hell of a long time to cross the Pacific.

[jimworcs]

I am sure if AA or any of the other majors went out of business someone would come along without having to go back to steamships. PanAm went, but we still managed...

[The_Judge]

He said ALL.....to me that means all, no replacement. Be nice for these folks to get their wish to see the anarchy.

[snowlane]

So I've been VERY persistent. I've e-mailed about 12 times (no lie) and was offered vouchers yesterday. I called and asked if it would be in lieu of a refund and the kind employee I talked to gave me the number for headquarters which you can use to get customer service on the phone. I asked to talk to my agent. I was told she would call me back. I waited an hour and called again. I was told they get 24-48 hours to call back. I figured I would wait it out. I e-mailed again and made it clear I was refusing the voucher because a) why would I want to fly with them again, and b) I wanted the money.

I got an e-mail today and was told we were getting a refund. However, I wasn't told the amount and it was mentioned that the credit was being placed on only one of our cards. So it's a start. Of course I e-mailed again and I will keep you all updated.

Anyway, here is the number four headquarters. Do not press 1 for a touch tone phone. Just wait until reception picks up and be polite.

817-963-1234

[jimworcs]

Keep us posted.. I will be surprised if you get more than the $50 difference and the difference between dollars and euros. I don't think they will refund the whole thing.. but amd intersted to find out!

[The_Judge]

Good for you....tell them you want the refund in Euros though. hehehe

[seneam]

I actually feel sorry for the good employees, which appears like you are or were. But the airlines whole operating system is a piece of crap. When I say, they should all go out of business, I think that the present airlines should go out of business and new ones will assuredly pop up, and they would operate in a more efficient manner that would be better for both the passengers and employees.

As far as my situation goes, Amex would not agree with me because it was something that was said over the phone, and there is no paper trail. When quoted anything, make sure they put it in paper and get as much info as you can on that paper: agents name (not just their first name either. If they have my whole name, why can't they give me theirs), agent's number, quoted price, what the price includes, all taxes, etc.

I even asked them for a breakdown of the taxes, and an accounting of where each penny went. Of course, they couldn't supply it, because it's probably in some executive's pocket and not where they said it went.

[jimworcs]

The fees and taxes scam is becoming very widespread. Very few of the "taxes" are in fact taxes. They are the normal cost of doing business, such as landing fees, airport charges, etc. Ryanair even levy a "wheelchair fee" which they pretend was imposed on them by the government. This is rubbish.. what happened was they wanted to charge disabled customers for the use of a wheelchair and special assistance to get on the plane. When the courts found that this was discrimination against disabled people, Ryanair levied a "wheelchair fee" on ALL passengers, which raised many millions of pounds more that the services ever cost. They show it separately as if it was tax. There is no level the airlines will not stoop to, to separate a customer from his money.