After the insanity of the last week and a half I am finally getting on my plane to France. Using the air miles I'd been saving for eons and after searching for exactly the right flight on exactly the right day, I booked a British Airways business bed flight for the 17th of June through American. I wanted to treat myself to a super comfy, never-affordable-before-or-after flight. Since my body hates flying, and it takes a couple of days to really feel ok, I wanted enough time that I would be in good shape for the potential all-night Fete de la Musique experience. This was going to be a great way to start.
American called me shortly before I left to tell me that they had changed my flight. I asked if it had been canceled. "No, the flight is not canceled it is just not operating on that day." If you know me at all, you know the conversation which ensued... something like this
me: Well, if it's not operating, then that means it's canceled
AA: No, it is not canceled it's just not operating that day. You can take the same flight a day later or take an earlier flight the same day but you have to change planes in London and there is no business bed available.
Me: (to myself - so, I can take a crap ass shit flight to Paris on an AA flight with no bed and no comfort and change planes because you fucked up) To them - So, because you've canceled the flight I have to either arrive later or take a non-direct flight. What will you do to compensate me for this loss?
AA: The flight is not canceled and you have these other choices. Because it is a British Air flight we will not provide any compensation. What would you like to do?
Me: I would like to take the flight I booked that took me three weeks to find and cost me all of my airline miles plus $500. That's what I'd like to do.
AA: I'm sorry but that is not possible.
Me: Because the flight is canceled
AA: The flight is not canceled
Me: If the flight no longer exists on the day that it existed before then, technically, it has IN FACT been canceled. I'd be happy to send you a definition from a dictionary if that would help.
AA: What would you like to do?
Me: I'll take the flight the next day because this is the only time in my life that I will ever take a flight that includes a bed and I saved money for years in order to do this. What do you suggest I do about being reimbursed for this error on the part of the airlines?
AA: I will confirm your flight for the next day. Perhaps you should contact BA .
Yeah... that was fun. BA said the same shit and told me to call AA.
In the end I took the BA flight the next day. The ticket included being able to hang in the BA lounge at JFK, where they feed you and provide ample alcohol, as well as free 15 minute massages or facials. I indulged in everything I could since I was feeling gypped and pissed off and... well... because when you're presented with free nice stuff at an airport, you take it.
American called me shortly before I left to tell me that they had changed my flight. I asked if it had been canceled. "No, the flight is not canceled it is just not operating on that day." If you know me at all, you know the conversation which ensued... something like this
me: Well, if it's not operating, then that means it's canceled
AA: No, it is not canceled it's just not operating that day. You can take the same flight a day later or take an earlier flight the same day but you have to change planes in London and there is no business bed available.
Me: (to myself - so, I can take a crap ass shit flight to Paris on an AA flight with no bed and no comfort and change planes because you fucked up) To them - So, because you've canceled the flight I have to either arrive later or take a non-direct flight. What will you do to compensate me for this loss?
AA: The flight is not canceled and you have these other choices. Because it is a British Air flight we will not provide any compensation. What would you like to do?
Me: I would like to take the flight I booked that took me three weeks to find and cost me all of my airline miles plus $500. That's what I'd like to do.
AA: I'm sorry but that is not possible.
Me: Because the flight is canceled
AA: The flight is not canceled
Me: If the flight no longer exists on the day that it existed before then, technically, it has IN FACT been canceled. I'd be happy to send you a definition from a dictionary if that would help.
AA: What would you like to do?
Me: I'll take the flight the next day because this is the only time in my life that I will ever take a flight that includes a bed and I saved money for years in order to do this. What do you suggest I do about being reimbursed for this error on the part of the airlines?
AA: I will confirm your flight for the next day. Perhaps you should contact BA .
Yeah... that was fun. BA said the same shit and told me to call AA.
In the end I took the BA flight the next day. The ticket included being able to hang in the BA lounge at JFK, where they feed you and provide ample alcohol, as well as free 15 minute massages or facials. I indulged in everything I could since I was feeling gypped and pissed off and... well... because when you're presented with free nice stuff at an airport, you take it.