Supposed to travel to USA in 2 weeks. AA/BA flights have changed - does this count as cancellation?

collington

We're due to fly LHR -> Pittsburgh in a couple weeks.  What was a direct flight on AA/BA6621 has now been changed to a connecting flight through Chicago.  (AA87 & AA1173) We got an AMAZING deal on premium economy tickets and were looking forward to our first ever non-cattle-class flight (whoop!); but AA are only offering vouchers for the value we paid and I know we'll never get that flight again for that price.

**Does the changing of the route constitue a cancellation/rebook, in which case do I have the right to insist on a refund if they're not prepared to give me a like-for-like voucher? (Instead of just a voucher worth the value of...)**

If it does not, and I need to wait for the flight to be fully cancelled at what point would that happen? (I mean, how far in advance are the airlines notifying they're not flying that route at all? Would it be last minute?) I'm a little sketchy on the timeline for waiting to see if the flight will be canceled and claiming on my CC / claiming on my travel insurance.  (e.g. If I have to wait until the last moment to see if the flight is cancelled, could a claim be done after the date even if the flight goes ahead?)

In case this helps:

• Booked directly through American Airlines, but flights operated by British Airways
• Paid for on credit card
• Had an annual insurance policy in place way before all this madness
  
• Obviously both countries are 'hot zones' and on the FCO guidance, so we'd have quarantines on both ends, and the government have restricted all but essential travel to/from USA
• At this point we do not want to travel in two weeks, even if the flight does go ahead
  

Thank you so much for any and all help!!  Figuring this out is like wading through a quagmire!

sharpe106

What do the terms and conditions say about change of flight with regards to cancellations? 
I doubt they are going to give you a like for like voucher if you got a bargain flight. 

sheramber

You do realise that you cannot enter America if you have been in UK within  the previous 14 days. If your insurance covers you for FCO advice not to travel then you claim on that. The policy will give the timeline but it is usually 28  or 30 days before you are due to travel.
If the flight goes and the accommodation is available then you have no claim on our credit card.

bagand96

You won't get a "like for like" voucher.  Flight prices are very dynamic so they won't just agree to put you on any LHR-PIT flight in the future in Premium Economy, as the value of that may be many times what you paid.

However, you are entitled to a refund.  Assuming your flight is AA6121 (not 6621?) then that is BA171 which has been cancelled.  When a flight is cancelled you are entitled to your choice of a re-route or a refund.  Emphasis there on your choice... not the airlines.  They usually offer a reroute automatically, but you can have a refund if their reroute does not suit you.

The relevant legislation is EU261.  Get back in touch with AA, tell them the re-route is not acceptable and you would like a refund please.  If needed remind them of EU261.

If AA still play hard ball then get on to your credit card provider.  Tell them that AA have cancelled the flight you have payed for and are refusing your legal right to a refund.  In the first instance it is likely that they will want to do a chargeback, as it doesn't cost them anything.  Go along with that.  If the chargeback fails then make it a Section 75 claim - the credit card a jointly liable for the transaction, so they would have to refund you and argue it out with AA themselves.

collington

@bagand96 That was SO helpful - thank you so much!  I (honestly) owe you a refreshing beverage of your choice!!

bagand96

collington said:

@bagand96 That was SO helpful - thank you so much!  I (honestly) owe you a refreshing beverage of your choice!!

No problem hope you get it resolved. 

harz99

collington said:

@bagand96 That was SO helpful - thank you so much!  I (honestly) owe you a refreshing beverage of your choice!!

Please do come back and update us, good luck.