Favorite travel troubleshooter: Before the epidemic, I visited Scotland with my family. Except for our return flights booked by Return Rbitz, it was a beautiful trip.
The first segment of our outbound flight from Los Angeles to London was delayed. American Airlines responded to us on its second flight from London to Glasgow via its codeshare partner British Airways.
The night before our return flight, I was shocked to learn that our flights had been canceled. Somehow, British Airways thought we were a no-show for our outbound flights. It automatically cancels our return. To get home, we had to book new tickets with Air France for 8 8,500.
I wish this amount could be refunded, plus something extra went through for the stress and anguish, when I found out my flights were canceled on the night of departure from Glasgow. Can you help
– Ross Smith, Simi Valley, Calif.
Answer: Your flights to the UK should be smooth and unbearable – not the chaos you describe. This is easily the most complex case in recent memory. Let me try to unscrew this no-show flight case for you.
The first problem for American Airlines was when your first flight from Los Angeles to London was delayed. Looks like he failed to notify British Airways that you would be on the next flight to Glasgow. Unfortunately for travelers, airlines automatically cancel the rest of the trip when you are “no-show”.
Looks like BitRbitz tried his best to fix the problem, but couldn’t. The case is even more insane because American Airlines has a codeshare agreement with British Airways, which means you are dealing with the same airline. Instead, American and British Airways play a game of ping pong, bouncing you between their customer service departments when you try to fix this.
I set up my client’s advocacy site, Illyll.org. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of American Airlines, British Airways and BitRbitz (owned by Expedia). But I have to be honest: reaching out to them probably won’t help. Everyone was confused about your case.
I don’t believe that allows any airline to run a code sharing agreement without any liability. To think that you’re on the hook for 8,500, for new plane tickets, is just nonsense!
After a lengthy investigation, which involved months between my advocacy team, the airlines and your travel agency, we reached the bottom of it. It looks like American Airlines mistakenly processed your ticket. It sent the wrong message to British Airways – that you missed your flight – and it will automatically cancel your return ticket.
Your case is an important reminder to the rest of us that if you don’t miss a part of your flight, you just can’t continue your journey. Your airline will cancel the rest of your flights because it assumes you are no-show, and will not tell you about it.
American Airlines has offered you four $ 100 flight vouchers for trouble. Bit Rbitz kicked another 200 200 in vouchers. British Airways refunded you for a return ticket and deducted a check from the pocket you had to pay for Air France tickets.
