American Airlines Hoses Me, Again

You think I'd learn.

I'd been scheduled to go on an embark aboard the USS Stennis this week, on a trip similar to this one taken by Guy Kawasaki and others.  (Thank you, again, USNavy for the invitation, and Andy Sernovitz for facilitating.)  However, the storms hammering the West Coast changed the plans, and the embark was cancelled.  No problem, these things happen.  Totally understand.

I'd split my flights so the outbound to San Diego was on American Airlines, and the return was on Southwest in order to get the best fare.  When I found out the trip was canceled, I pulled up the two respective emails to try to see what could be salvaged from the trips.  Here's what happened.

Southwest:

• Opened email.
• Clicked on "Refund Information" right there in the email.  This took me to the refund web page.
• Clicked on "Cancel your flight reservation."
• The ticked was non-refundable, so was given a dialog box that said "Hold funds for future use," and I clicked through.
• Done. Flight cancelled, flight funds banked, and I can use them for another flight within the next year.

American:

• Opened email.
• Clicked on "Refunds" right there in the email.  So far so good.
• Went to the web site, entered my ticket number.
• Uh oh. Big red error message: "The refund
  request you submitted is for a non-refundable ticket. In some cases,
  you may be able to apply this value towards the purchase of another
  non-refundable ticket. Certain restrictions and fees apply. Please call
  American Airlines Reservations at 1-800-433-7300 for further assistance."
• Fine.  I'll fail over to the call center.  I call the number.
• The CSR was pleasant.  I give her my info.  Then we have The Conversation.

CSR: That's a non-refundable ticket.

Me: Yes, I understand.  Can I apply to fees to a future flight?

CSR:  Yes, as long as you take it within a year.

Me: Cool.  Thanks.

CSR: The change fee to do that will be $150.00.

Me: 'Scuse me?

CSR: The change fee is $150.00.

Me: Um...but the ticket was only $98.

CSR: Yes.  It's not worth it.

Me: So...you're saying I'm hosed?

CSR (verbatim): Yup.  Pretty much.