I fly DCA-DFW-FAT frequently and am usually awarded miles for the DCA to DFW leg (1192) and DFW to FAT leg (1313). Last weekend I happened to catch a direct flight with a stopover in DFW. (I think I'm using those terms correctly.) The flight number was the same for both legs. I was issued two boarding cards and the flight showed up separately on my itinerary. My mileage summary shows FAT-DCA for 2318 miles and one economy class bonus. Is that right?
I suppose I won't have much recourse anyway, but my biggest gripe is that according to the taxes and fees disclaimer: "U.S. government excise tax of $3.50 on each flight segment, defined as one takeoff and one landing". So if I'm charged taxes on each segment, it stands to reason (at least in my head) that I should get the miles too. Thoughts?
It sucks more than an Electrolux, hueltiuhtli, but it is indeed how the systems work; AA 38 used to be listed for SFO-DFW-ZRH, and we always had to change planes at DFW - but the miles were awlays as if we'd flown SFO_ZRH nonstop. The airlines see these flights as nonstop, the gubbamint sees them as an opportunity to make their fees.
Many of these issues are already addressed in threads linked to in the Unofficial Users' Guide, which is why your thread has been merged into this consolidated thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aztecgirl
I fly DCA-DFW-FAT frequently and am usually awarded miles for the DCA to DFW leg (1192) and DFW to FAT leg (1313). Last weekend I happened to catch a direct flight with a stopover in DFW. (I think I'm using those terms correctly.) The flight number was the same for both legs. I was issued two boarding cards and the flight showed up separately on my itinerary. My mileage summary shows FAT-DCA for 2318 miles and one economy class bonus. Is that right?
I suppose I won't have much recourse anyway, but my biggest gripe is that according to the taxes and fees disclaimer: "U.S. government excise tax of $3.50 on each flight segment, defined as one takeoff and one landing". So if I'm charged taxes on each segment, it stands to reason (at least in my head) that I should get the miles too. Thoughts?
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Last edited by JDiver; Mar 4, 08 at 1:28 pm.
Reason: add a bit
Can I break a direct flight by taking an earlier flight for the first leg, and still keep my seat on the 2nd leg?
I'm on AA283 tomorrow, MIA-LAX-HNL. If the gate the past few days for the arrival and departure in LAX have been the same, then is it likely it will be the same plane? If it's the same plane, will I have a chance to remain on the plane?
Since I've been U/G, won't need to run out to grab any food in LAX.
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Some good advice from one who knows - take twice the cash and half the clothes.
Can I break a direct flight by taking an earlier flight for the first leg, and still keep my seat on the 2nd leg?
I'm on AA283 tomorrow, MIA-LAX-HNL. If the gate the past few days for the arrival and departure in LAX have been the same, then is it likely it will be the same plane? If it's the same plane, will I have a chance to remain on the plane?
Since I've been U/G, won't need to run out to grab any food in LAX.
I doubt it will be the same airplane.
Be ready for a lot of typing for the AAgent to make 1 flight into 2. It is possible, but they had to call a manager over last time I tried.
I always hated flying AA 38 SFO-DFW-ZRH, 6,704 miles, changing aircraft at DFW - and getting credit for only 5,840 mi in return for spending ~3-4 hours more in the aircraft and airport. What a feature!
Maybe it helps if you upgrade?
I upgraded the ORD-SFO and got credit.
We had nice exit row seats on the DUB-ORD segment and then had the same center seats we had when we upgraded (with miles) the outbound flights (SFO-ORD was not a 763, but same seat we had for ORD-DUB)
11/03/07 AMERICAN AIRLINES 93 Y DUB ORD 3,674 3,674 7,348
11/03/07 AMERICAN AIRLINES 93 Y ORD SFO 1,846 1,846 3,692
I believe it was a 4 hour or so wait to get back on the same flight.
Since AA didn't calculate a time change in the original res, for our original connection, I decided to play it safe and book the continuation., when I got the notice about our arrival time changing by an hour. So, only the arrival time changed, but the departure was the same. Still it was a free change and we got the NGBC upgrade for ORD-SFO.
Programs: AA Ex Plt, 1.6MM, BMI Diamond, HH Diamond, SPG Plt
Posts: 5,690
Unfortunately, if it is the same flight # you get the "crow flies" amount, rather than the minimums.
As for the upgrade clearing, it has been so long since I've a taken a continuation flight that I honestly don't remember - but I'm sure someone will be along w/an answer to that one shortly.
Bummer. Just thought of one more question. Let's say that rows 3 & 4 in FC are booked solid on the DCA->MIA flight, but rows 5 & 6 are wide open. Then (say) on the MIA->TPA segment the reverse is true.
When I booked my coach seat I was only able to pick one seat assignment. Would it be true that they would be unable to upgrade me since they can't give me a consistent seat all the way through?
Programs: AA Gold, *wood Gold, Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 786
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deltahater
but, if you call AA afterwards, you will at least get two segments credited, in case you are going for status with segments
Really? Cause I've not booked some direct flights cause I qualify on segments and figured I would be SOL. My home airport has direct flights to Mexico and LAS that stop in DFW I'd love to take if this is true.
[quote=Deltahater;11342144]but, if you call AA afterwards, you will at least get two segments credited, in case you are going for status with segments[/QUOTE
Not by any means a certainty ... you MAY get the two segments creditted.
I know of one particular case where five calls including four to Advantage Customer Service and two escalations to supervisors proved unsucessful.
Onw wonders if after a few calls a notation was put in the callers record.
It sounds like this is a bad deal all around...fewer miles and tougher to upgrade (both have to clear, vs. each one). More upgrade questions:
(1) I was curious if anyone knew the answer to the question above. If there is no single FC seat assignment available through both flights, does that mean that I won't get upgraded even though there is plenty of availablity? If I list at the airport will they upgrade me on a segment?
(2) Since my plan departure time for flight 1262 leaves DCA earlier than the departure time for 1262 from MIA, would I get the upgrade over other PLTs getting on the plane in MIA? That might actually be an advantage. If the DCA->MIA segement is available, and a single seat is available all the way through (see question 1), then I should get the MIA->TPA...what do you think?
