re: AA Updating My Itinerary/Changing my flights

quote:

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I purposely booked the earlier flight so I would have ample time to connect (duh). I'm also pissed because they have a MSY-CLT flight that leaves at 4:14p that they didn't put me on.

Do I have any recourse here to make them put me on the earlier flight, or should I be prepared to eat a change fee?

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This problem I can actually help with so pay attention. The reason you were rebooked on the 6:20pm is American's IT system will automatically rebook you on what it thinks is an appropriate connection, in this case that is 50 minutes, even though there may a flight almost at exactly the same time as your original flight. With a schedule change of 2 hours, you are free to rebook or cancel and get a refund.

You can ask about them getting you on the nonstop MSY-LHR with this schedule change (AA6183) as your first request. If they are unable to do that, then you could ask to go through any AA hub that you want. There's connections around 2 hours in Chicago, DFW, or Miami as well as Charlotte. For a decent night's sleep, I'd suggest the nonstop or going through DFW. The flight from CLT is quick so you won't sleep as well as that long flight from DFW. If you just want your 4:14pm flight through Charlotte, request AA 732 for both flights (same flight number MSY- CLT and CLT-LHR). Actually if you wanted to leave in the morning, you can also do that now. This schedule change implies that even though you booked your afternoon flights you can change to any AA flight for free.

ETA: What dates are you flying there? I'll help post the flight numbers on here (it makes it easier for the agents)