Tennis Star Venus Williams Says Her “Full Time Job” Is Calling American Airlines Over Lost Luggage

Venus Williams flew American Airlines to Canada, but American sent her bags to the Bahamas. When she was supposed to be preparing for a tennis match, she was instead focused as her “full time job day and night” for three days calling the airline, hoping to get her bags back. She really doesn’t have people to do that for her?

Dear @americanair, I love flying with you all. Im even in the million mile club! I’m not sure why you sent my bag to the Bahamas when I was traveling to Montreal. Now I have a match today. I’ve been trying to get my bags for 3 days now. I think I spent all my unlimited minutes calling you all which has become my full time job day and night. This has been so much fun!

She then went on to lose to Madison Keys in the opening at Montreal’s Omnium Banque Nationale in straight sets.

Venus Williams is an American Airlines million miler, so she has at least Gold status (for life). She doesn’t pay checked bag fees. But anyone traveling to and from Canada who pays checked bag fees is entitled to get their fees back when their bags are delayed, lost or damaged. Bizarrely, airlines don’t have to refund checked bag fees when they fail to properly provide the checked bag service when traveling exclusively within the U.S.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. Hmmm first the rapper in Madrid. Now the tennis star.
    Headquarters in Texas.
    Is AA going full MAGA?
    At least they could send Venus Three Fifths of a bag

  2. Funny that a company (partially) owned by Venus Williams just did a brand partnership with United for premium cabin amenity kits.

  3. I feel for Venus. It is so low class of American to misroute her bags as it is when they don’t execute for any of their customers.

  4. There is no “customer service “ in US. it’s an oxymoron. I spend every Wednesday attempting to resolve issues with companies, correct mistakes. It is so frustrating. Now a person of Venus’ stature has the same problems. Companies don’t care.

  5. Is loyalty for losers? After over-subsidized airlines and a freewheeling competitive marketplace of airlines, I wonder if continuing airline loyalty might be over-rated.

    Best wishes in fture air travel to to alliance lovers and free-agents!

  6. This happens everyday on every flight with every airline company but, because a celebrity’s name is added to the mix the industry should “take notice of a potential problem”!? The industry’s press release would likely be, “We do not see this isolated incident as an epidemic or a concern. Quite the contrary, look at the number of passengers we were able to deliver safely to their destination!”

  7. “RE: GKK”
    Just because she partially owns a company doesn’t mean she can dictate or force marketing decisions. Also, how do you know AA wasn’t approached, but declined to partner.

  8. We had the same AA problem on Aug 7
    AA sent us voucher for $25 off our next flight. What a joke airline!

  9. If this tennis player is relying upon a Williams Morris Endeavor agency/agent relationship, seems like the player should get a new agent who maximizes the ability of the sports person to focus on the sport and deliver that way.

  10. I was flying back from AA on June 29th and one of their employees put someone else’s name on my boarding pass and baggage. Security retrieved the items. Have not seen my baggage since. AA refuse to compensate me because they said that there is no evidence that I checked in my baggage, even after I explained to them what happened. They said that they did a 30 day search for my bag and cannot find it. They still say they cannot compensate me for my loss. I have contacted a TV station for help, if anyone can refer me to someone to help solve this issue, it will be greatly appreciated!

  11. Venus most likely had priority tagged bag. Some ground crew is contracted for service to the airline. With the media exposure I’m sure it was a learning experience on how prepare for these inconveniences.

  12. Venus should ship her bags privately a day or so before she travels!
    And use AUR TAGS! Duh!

Comments are closed.