Missed connection on AA - What happens?

[RooFlyer]

I have a booking CTG (Cartagena, Colombia)-MIA-DFW, same ticket. There is 3 hrs connection time in MIA after arriving 19:25.

There is no US CBP pre clearance in CTG.

While that should be enough connection time, knowing MIA it might not be. If the flights are on-time and I miss the MIA-DFW flight due to delay in getting through CBP, what will AA's attitude be? Immigration delay not our problem, you were a no-show, or we will make good with next available?

 

[SYD]

I have a booking CTG (Cartagena, Colombia)-MIA-DFW, same ticket. There is 3 hrs connection time in MIA after arriving 19:25.

There is no US CBP pre clearance in CTG.

While that should be enough connection time, knowing MIA it might not be. If the flights are on-time and I miss the MIA-DFW flight due to delay in getting through CBP, what will AA's attitude be? Immigration delay not our problem, you were a no-show, or we will make good with next available?

They should rebook you. I had this problem some years ago, AA CUN-DFW-LAX (and seperate QF LAX-SYD). Ahead of us in immigration in DFW was a conga line of PAX from Columbia(!) that took forever and the customs was unusually slow as…. Mis-connected by a good 30 mins or so but we were rechecked at the DFW transfer desk (which presumably MIA would have similar).

OWE status ought to help also.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree. Airlines are aware of immigration delays. Arrived in Chicago once with 3+ hours to clear immigration. Airline reps simply rebooked everyone on later flights. People were flying AA and UA.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks both.

 

[I love to travel]

AA protect all OW flights even when not on the same ticket.

 

[serfty]

It can get pretty bad ... Just this week:

Six-Hour Immigration Lines at Miami Airport As Passengers Miss Connecting Flights, A Crisis for Both Citizens and Visitors - View from the Wing

Passengers arriving into the country at Miami International Airport faced immigration lines stretching up to six hours long on Saturday evening. Video shows the line just to get into the immigration hall.

viewfromthewing.com

 

[RooFlyer]

It can get pretty bad ... Just this week:

"Thanks"

That's exactly what it was like last time I arrived at MIA. I recall a long line snaking out into adjacent areas. An armed CBP came and called for about 50 of us to follow him. We were led across the terminal, down and around various corridors - "everyone keep up!!" - and popped out at some un-queued immigration counters. He left and about 10 mins later, another group appeared.

My MIA-DFW flight (PS: departing New years Eve!) is the last of the day; arriving at about 12:20am. if I miss that flight, will AA find a hotel for me?

 

[justinbrett]

When I was there last month, CBP was a breeze. It took all of two minutes. It was the subsequent TSA check that was the problem, lines going out the door. All US citizens got put in the precheck line whether they were cleared or not.

I got to my gate with 5 minutes to spare, from a connection time of just under three hours.

 

[big_RED]

I hope you don't mind me asking a similar question in your thread.

I am flying AA from SFO > LAX > SYD. All business class.
My SFO > LAX flight has changed for the 3rd time now. And instead of a 7hr LAX layover I have just 56mins now at LAX before my Sydney international flight.

I assume my luggage will be checked all the way as both flights are with AA. But I feel a 56min connection isn't achievable at LAX.

What do you think?

 

[I love to travel]

I hope you don't mind me asking a similar question in your thread.

I am flying AA from SFO > LAX > SYD. All business class.
My SFO > LAX flight has changed for the 3rd time now. And instead of a 7hr LAX layover I have just 56mins now at LAX before my Sydney international flight.

I assume my luggage will be checked all the way as both flights are with AA. But I feel a 56min connection isn't achievable at LAX.

What do you think?

Unlikely but you will be protected if on the same ticket.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I hope you don't mind me asking a similar question in your thread.

I am flying AA from SFO > LAX > SYD. All business class.
My SFO > LAX flight has changed for the 3rd time now. And instead of a 7hr LAX layover I have just 56mins now at LAX before my Sydney international flight.

I assume my luggage will be checked all the way as both flights are with AA. But I feel a 56min connection isn't achievable at LAX.

What do you think?

The MCT at LAX is 1:30 so AA should be rebooking you.
I would not at all feel comfortable with a sprint from T4 to TBIT before an Int flight.

 

[SYD]

I hope you don't mind me asking a similar question in your thread.

I am flying AA from SFO > LAX > SYD. All business class.
My SFO > LAX flight has changed for the 3rd time now. And instead of a 7hr LAX layover I have just 56mins now at LAX before my Sydney international flight.

I assume my luggage will be checked all the way as both flights are with AA. But I feel a 56min connection isn't achievable at LAX.

What do you think?

Who/how was it booked?

As per @Princess Fiona ’s comment. This shouldn’t be allowable. Check online if you have the option to rebook.

I wouldn’t like that connection time but could do it if the inbound arrives on time but I could guarantee my luggage wouldn’t sprint as fast as me.

 

[big_RED]

Thanks all. It's an Award seat booked directly via Qantas as "SFO > SYD". But all on American.

I'll give Qantas a call today. Would hate to miss the flight and then not get a business class re ticketed ticket!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks all. It's an Award seat booked directly via Qantas as "SFO > SYD". But all on American.

I'll give Qantas a call today. Would hate to miss the flight and then not get a business class re ticketed ticket!

You will definitely be reticketed in business class.

American Airlines will have control of the ticket on the day of travel, and will handle the rebooking, not qantas. They’ll do that at the airport.

Calling Qantas in advance is an option, but may lead to problems. If the flight doesn’t currently meet minimum connecting times, and there are no reward seats on an earlier flight, you may have to accept a downgrade for the SFO-LAX flight. Alternatively, they might have to refer it to the Oneworld desk for assistance. Worst case is that the agent makes an error and the whole ticket is cancelled

If the flight does meet minimum connecting times, QF will likely not change it unless there are award seats in the earlier flight, and may ask for a change fee to be paid.

 

[big_RED]

Calling Qantas in advance is an option, but may lead to problems. If the flight doesn’t currently meet minimum connecting times, and there are no reward seats on an earlier flight, you may have to accept a downgrade for the SFO-LAX flight. Alternatively, they might have to refer it to the Oneworld desk for assistance. Worst case is that the agent makes an error and the whole ticket is cancelled

If the flight does meet minimum connecting times, QF will likely not change it unless there are award seats in the earlier flight, and may ask for a change fee to be paid.

The other main concern is that if the LAX to SYD flight is missed that's another whole day in LAX I need to worry about.

I too am worried they'll cancel the whole booking by mistake like I've heard happen to others

But I was going to say to Qantas that I'm happy to be downgraded to economy for the SFO to LAX flight. So hopefully that helps!

Appreciate everyone's feedback .

 

[Brissy1]

The other main concern is that if the LAX to SYD flight is missed that's another whole day in LAX I need to worry about.

I too am worried they'll cancel the whole booking by mistake like I've heard happen to others

But I was going to say to Qantas that I'm happy to be downgraded to economy for the SFO to LAX flight. So hopefully that helps!

Appreciate everyone's feedback .

I was in that situation last year, qfa award J on AA with a 51min (!) transfer at lax.
Everything went smoothly, flight from Phoenix arrived just a little late, (DON'T exit terminal, walk airside) got to gate and wasn't the last to board.

 

[big_RED]

I think I've taken that new airside pedestrian bridge late last year as well between terminals so you don't need to go through LAX security. It was easy. I'm just not confident in the flight not being slightly delayed that it'll upend everything! On the phone to Qantas now to see what they can do.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In the other thread, minimum connecting time is confirmed as 40 mins. Not great, but I’ve done less at other US airports due to late inbounds.

Depending on the reason for your delay, the airline will either pay for your accommodation, or may in any event have a discount voucher or preferred rate. Otherwise travel insurance will cover it.

 

[big_RED]

Qantas have now told me 56mins transfer is fine and they can't change my booking. I'll call back and try and speak to another person

 

[SYD]

Qantas have now told me 56mins transfer is fine and they can't change my booking. I'll call back and try and speak to another person

Doesn’t QF12 leave one hour later? Maybe push that angle also (keep AA SFO-LAX and switch to QF12 LAX-SYD.