US flights - 29min connection in CLT?!?!

[Katie]

We are travelling to Charleston in Sept for the start of a big US trip for my bday & my BFF's bday.

We four are currently booked LAX-CLT-CHS, through aa.com but on US metal. The LAX-CLT flight has been puched back 10mins since booking, and the CLT-CHS brought forward a couple of minutes, so we now have a 29min connection in CLT.

I can't change the booking online, only by calling US airways.

Has anyone dealt with US over the phone for changing such a booking??
Is it easy?
I am not very good at being charming over the phone, I'm too matter-of-fact. This has not helped with some AA phone calls in the past. :/

Our LAX flight departs at around 11:30; I'm thinking of trying to get us on an 8:50am flight. Three of us arrive on QF11 at 6:30am (with suitcases), the fourth member of our party will be overnighting in LA the night before & meeting the rest of us at LAX.
I'm thinking the 8:50am departure is do-able ...

 

[Hvr]

Is there a later CLT-CHS flight you could take?

Whilst you would be protected in the event of a mis-connect you don't want to be stressing about such things. I don't think it would be prudent to leave less time from your flight ex Australia.

Since you booked it via AA then you have to contact them to amend the booking. Have your preferred options prepared ahead of time and guide them towards your desired outcome.

 

[Katie]

Yes, there's a later flight (gets in to CHS around or after 10pm - the joy of going to the East coast!). I was just trying to get us all in to CHS at a not-too-late hour - we now have a pirate tour booked at 10am the next morning!!

I was confused by having both an AA and a US PNR, and given US is operating both flights. Thanks!!

 

[kermatu]

I think your option of the earlier flight is sensible. 2:20 to transfer at LAX should be fine - you've then got more time spare if there are delays. After such a long journey a late night arrival is worth avoiding. Given there's 4 of you I also wouldn't want to pin all hopes on making the last flight of the night if you miss the connection.

Last year I had several AA flights booked from Australia. A few had time changes like yours or changes in aircraft. Each time I just called the general AA reservations line - it is open 24/7, and I presume gets put through to the standard call centre. Very quick response and no trouble with any requests for moves. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Just to note all my flights were first class, and (like I see you do) I have high one-world status (not AA) - and all flights were on AA.

 

[Katie]

Oh, to add - these are all in F & I'm QF WP (1 SG with me, and 2 NBs)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, there's a later flight (gets in to CHS around or after 10pm - the joy of going to the East coast!). I was just trying to get us all in to CHS at a not-too-late hour - we now have a pirate tour booked at 10am the next morning!!

I was confused by having both an AA and a US PNR, and given US is operating both flights. Thanks!!

US carriers are pretty easy to deal with and pretty accommodating when it comes to schedule changes, and they'll make whatever changes necessary with a minimum of fuss. I think the minimum connecting time at CLT is 30 mins in any event, so you're just under that... but I have read that US Airways has some legal connections under that.

As others have said, perhaps have your preferred option ready if you don't like what they suggest for you. In many cases they're happy to change routing or cities to avoid a potential misconnect.

Two PNRs (or more) are common. One for the booking airline, and then one PNR for each operating airline in your booking. When you book partner award travel for example, the booking airline might not even be operating any of the flights in your itinerary, but they'll have a 'master' PNR under which the total booking is kept as a 'whole'.

 

[Katie]

I had a chance to call AA last week. Changed to the LAX-CLT 8:50am flight, and now have about 1hr20min connection time in CLT before the flight to CHS. Getting in to CHS a littlebit earlier, too, which will be appreciated, especially if we all have issues adjusting to East Coast time, as I normally do.

 

[Doggy]

It's weird that this is in the Qf forum.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I had a chance to call AA last week. Changed to the LAX-CLT 8:50am flight, and now have about 1hr20min connection time in CLT before the flight to CHS. Getting in to CHS a littlebit earlier, too, which will be appreciated, especially if we all have issues adjusting to East Coast time, as I normally do.

I'm sure that this will be less stressful for you.