TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Oh, no! AA here we go again......

My nemesis airline has done it again. AA has changed their schedule once more and our 11/28 and 12/12 n/s to and from JFK/SXM are history and the flights they rebooked us on were terrible.

The AA reps were very nice about trying to reschedule us on better flights, but sadly, there are currently no more n/s for that timeframe. We had gotten great prices originally on our up front seats and they were guaranteeing us the same class of service for the same pricing on the rebooked seats but we ended up canceling and booking with ........ Dare I say it.....Jet Blue. So, here we go again. And with my luck, the n/s will probably reappear down the road but I'm done and even though they're not my first choice, JET BLUE it is.

So all of you late November and early December travelers should check your tickets jic your flights have been changed, too. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

It certainly seems that AA puts out some very nice fares to get you booked when you book far in advance. Seems like "bait and switch", because they seem to change the flights to some not so great flights as the flight time gets closer. Happened to us too last year. Our flights were changed to where we had less than 60 minutes to make a connecting flights after fighting the Miami Customs and Immigration circus in Miami. We had no trouble changing the flights with AA, but it is hassle and headache that seems to be more and more the norm these days.

We had non-stop AA flights out of JFK this Feb. In December, I got a notice saying the flights were "rescheduled." In fact, they were cancelled, and we were flying through Miami. I fought with them and got them to changed us to flights out of Hartford (if I have to connect, may as well fly out of Hartford). A month later, I was checking flights on Kayak, and found that my original flights were back. Again I fought with them to move us back where we originally were.

AA used to be the best. What happened to them?

That's why it's not worth it to book early. I have been booking 60 days out for most trips and still getting great prices. Until the AA/USAir merger of all flights is figured out flights will continue to change

I think you'll be very happy with JetBlue, and may never go back to AA again!

Pat, I have been checking daily for 1596 to show up. Guess it's not gonna happen. JB for me too.

Just checked ours, and so far, so good.

Kathleen,

We've flown JB to SXM r/t and we've done oneways home from there on occasion, and to be totally honest, of all the SXM trips we've flown on JB so far, I haven't been overly impressed yet. But the thing is, you do what you have to do, right? And so, along with our trip home next month, we are now doing the Nov/Dec r/t on them but I'm willing to bet AA will return that nonstop we were originally on between now and when it's actually time to fly.

The one thing I will personally concede to them, and I did so at the time, was arriving back into JFK at JB's T5 last December, clearing C & I was an absolute piece of cake; the walk was shorter as were the lines and all the new machines made the process fast and efficient. So much better than most of our AA return trips into JFK where we felt we had walked half way to CT by the time we reached the Int'l Arrivals Hall. I do hope that return was the norm and not just a fluke. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Sharon,

We were actually on AA1596 - ticketed on 3/9 - had gotten excellent prices on business class very soon after they first posted the flights/fares for our dates. I think when AA first posts the flights, there's a short window where the prices go all over the place and this had really worked for us. We're now paying close to within a hundred dollars of what we paid for the original AA Business tickets, which I know was a dirt cheap deal, for the JB flights, but without the Business/First perks, although we did spring for the roomier seats r/t on JB. I liked the AA three bags per person - not that we ever had that many, but oh, well, it is what it is. So spoiled are we, as tri-staters with multiple options, but I just didn't want to take the connecting flights when we did have options. But we're JB for that trip, for sure. No more changes..........I HOPE! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Georgia,

Are you on AA or US Air? We had originally booked the AA n/s flights and for whatever the reason, this is what they've done away with, and at the beginning of the season, no less. They would have connected us through Miami or CLT but particularly during that time of year, we prefer the nonstops when we can get them, even if it means changing everything around. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

This is the same flight that disappeared and reappeared for us.

To correct my previous post, this was not for our Feb 2015 trip, which was seamless with Delta, but our upcoming May 2015 trip. So far those flights are still in place. <fingers crossed>

Where do I start. We are going on 11/18. We have used Jet Blue out of Boston and on Wednesday, they stopped in PR. It was fine and it worked. Now, they are not showing that trip. They only showed stopping in JFK. We use to always go on AA, and then when Jet Blue opened up, we switched, because on the Saturday, we leave it is direct. We looked at AA and we have FF miles. We are on that flight to go down and it stops in Miami. We are on Jet Blue to come home, with no stops. Not easy flying any longer!!!!

with all the mergers going on the airlines have us all over a barrel. We used to love flying CO, but are not impressed with UA. They don't do Friday flights anymore. I flew AA once from EWR and they had a problem with the plane. We had to be bussed to JFK and they showed up with one bus for 150 people. We finally got a bus to JFK and the flight was delayed there by a couple of hours. We then had a stop in PR. We ended getting into SXM at almost 10 pm, after being up since 4 am and the funny thing is my SIL and BIL took the CO flight and got there at 12:30 pm. I guess the $100 I thought I was saving definitely wasn't worth it!!

Kim
I am with you. I normally book 60 days or less. By that time flights have "settled down" and don't have to worry if the flight is going to change or do all the effort in having to rebook.

SXM??? Wendell

This year we fly down to SXM from JFK on 12/12. I have a price point where I will book the flights. Usually since AA comes out first with their schedule and they hit my price point I book with them. It's always N/S. Last year when JetBlue first came out, they beat the AA fare by $73 per ticket (Times 2 = $146 total). This year I waited for JB to come out with their fares because the AA fares were just a little bit higher than my price point. I'm very glad I did. JB had a fare less than I've ever paid and the departure time was civilized but not really late. I even got a small voucher for a future flight because the fare went down slightly a few days later. I learned of the cancellation of the N/S flight from JFK a few days ago and that made me even happier that I booked with JB. Other advantages are that JB has a little bit more legroom and as of my booking, the first bag is still free.
I don't understand why AA cancelled the N/S to SXM since that flight was always full. Anyway if it was AA's job to make JB the airline of choice to SXM, then they were highly successful.

Hi Pat,

So far we've had really good luck with JB. We took Delta down in late Feb/March and didn't mind it that much, HOWEVER...the walk in the JFK terminal was REALLY long! I wish I had kept my FitBit on to measure it. I would swear it was a mile!

We booked our flights for November and were pleased to see that JB ADDED a later direct flight from SXM to JFK that doesn't leave until almost 6 pm. They will probably adjust the time once we get closer to reflect the Fall time change, but I love the extra time on the beach!

Boy, your description of the Delta terminal at JFK doesn't begin to describe how long the walk is. We had to ride in one of those little electric carts that you see with the flashing light and it took us a good 5 minutes to reach out gate. My in-laws said it took them over 15 minutes to walk that same distance.

Sorry to hear that Pat. I just booked us on an outbound JetBlue nonstop for late October. We are departing on a Wednesday. There is one nonstop flight that day.

We just booked Delta JFK to SXM n/s for the end of May This will be our first time with Delta (usually JB) so I hope it goes smoothly.

You guys crack me up with all this concern over not getting a N/S. Try getting one out of the West Coast.

Aloha Pat,
We book early, the moment we see a deal on big seats or can get tickets on miles. We purchased on Feb 4th for our November trip and so far the flights have not changed a minute. PDX to CLT, and then down. It is on American but still list Operated by US Airways, not sure when that will change.

When we get changes they are rarely good and I am really hoping to hang onto the routing we have. I mostly worry that they will cancel the PDX to CLT direct, as that just makes it too easy for us compared to what we normally end up with.

Sure looking forward to that Bloody Mary on the flight from CLT to SXM !!!

See you on island!
Cheers,
Todd

but try getting a direct flight to tahiti from the east coast scuba!

We are doing the same. SEA to CLT to SXM. AA miles on US Air FC. Then SXM to CLT to PHX then SEA. Booked them in June for our May trip. 60,000 each R/T

Exactly Scubaman! I'm happy if we can get down there with one connection, and less than a 4 hour layover. Luckily, Jetblue SFO-JFK-SXM has all of that.

I would have connections too out of SEA.

Ya know, now that I think about it....I think maybe AA did me a favor by cancelling 1596. I totally forgot about the new JB terminal at JFK and how convenient it is. Think I'll go make my resos now!

really! that surprises me. have to say i dont envy you guys flying to st. martin from the west coast. has to be a looonngg day for sure.

We did not use miles for this trip, still in a keep our status with the airline mode. Our flight back is just the one stop at CLT and then back to PDX. Again, I hope it holds as it is about as good as it gets for us in Portland.

As for Tahiti, no direct flights from the Pacific NW either! Flying non stop to Cabo in a few days, we can get non stop to most of Hawaii, both of which are fine for a shorter trip but I still prefer the Caribbean.

Cheers,
T

as i said to scuba, thats crazy. wouldnt have thought that. have fun in cabo and i agree i like the caribbean much better as well

Yeah, AA messed up our flights out of Hartford last Nov, had our connection leaving before we got there. They wanted to change me to a 2 day trip with an overnight somewhere. I took the refund and booked JB out of JFK, and it worked out great with the more-room seats. I booked business on US out of PVD for this coming May - yep, they screwed that one up too, changed our connection in CLT so it leaves before we get there. I was able to rebook to a much later flight connection, but I'm done with them. I just booked this coming Nov trip on JB out of JFK, I don't even check the AA/US websites anymore.

We're on US Airways, Pat; but with the merger one never knows. Hopefully the flight will hold, as we're meeting the Benners at the gate. The front of that plane is going to be rockin' on the way down!!

Whoooop Whooooop !!!

Good luck Pat, hope that it works out for you and MJ's Bingo partner.

Cheers!

As I said originally, we went for the AA refund and rebooked on JB, which works out fine since friends will be traveling with us on the same flight.

Just a word to everyone to keep on checking your flights since things can and do change without much warning. Hopefully our flights for April are safe......

I have nothing against AA through this current change of schedules snd I fully accept it happens with all airlines on occasion but I just wish it wasn't becoming so very commonplace on AA.

JB will be fine and the upgraded T5 C & I hall at JFK will more than atone for the lack of those wonderful First Class/Business Class seats we'll be missing. These days, a plane is a plane is a plane and as long as it gets us there in one piece, what more can we ask for?!

And FYI, Todd, tell MJ her partner is looking forward to the opportunity to play. Bingo, that is..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />