Right when airline changes equipment type.

Flying Qatar in business on a promo fare I was offered the option of changing to an alternative flight when the aircraft on my flight to Bangkok was changed from a A380 to a B777! Wasnt fussed by the slight inconvenience of not having direct aisle access as was travelling with my partner anyway, still a flat bed more or less, but contacting me, apologising and then making the offer put a smile on my face.

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It's tantamount to a bait and switch. Sure, it's not intentional, but it ought warrant a full refund. I'm not sure if a partial refund is reasonable. But certainly you should be given the option of cancelling with a full refund.

IN CONCLUSION - finally received a response from AA customer relations, whilst vague the agent had said she ‘has requested a refund for the value’...and that I can check the status which should take up to 10 business days. I’ll just wait and see what value gets refunded to me and if the ticket is cancelled (currently still valid)/ it’s a business promo fare non flexible. I would have accepted some sort of compo if they offered. I seem to be having very bad luck lately, My flight from LAX-BOG on avianca is cancelled due to pilot strike. The airline does not inform you and when you check booking it says still confirmed; but they are not selling the flights which prompted me to call up and check. Really bad options they provided which involved an overnight stay at an airport. Called Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer as these were award booking flights and was able to pick up COPA airlines albeit on a B737 instead of a Dreamliner and flatbed :( first world problems. no compo here either but atleast I’m going and able to make the start of my tours!

Also for anyone flying with AA in future - customer relations do not have a phone number and everything must be done via their website compliment/complaint portal. Reservations can’t help in instances with aircraft change and moving flights etc without hitting you with fees. It’s all by the book.

Got a full refund by AA issued earlier this week. Booked on Delta for $200 less then what I paid with AA and get their delta one A330 product from Atlanta to LA. Also access to their delta sky lounge far superior to Americans admirals club.