Jan 28, 2014, 12:14 am
Last edit by: JDiver
oneworld / AA Explorer award with AA Miles (discuss, questions) [ENDED 8 APR 2014]
N.B. new oneworld/AA Explorer awards are no longer available as of the end of the day on April 7th, 2014.
Existing awards will be honored.
This thread is ONLY to inquire or add about existing oneworld Explorer awards; to comment on the loss of this booking option, please follow the discussion on:
Oneworld Explorer Awards Eliminated -- Effective Immediately [8 Apr 2014]
See the first post, below, for the rules that prevailed through 7 April 2014 and apply to those who booked Explorer awards prior to the end of these useful award tickets.
oneworld / AA Explorer award with AA Miles (discuss, questions) [ENDED 8 APR 2014]
Mar 14, 2012, 8:52 am
#286
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Miami
Programs: AA LT Gold SPG Gold ($30K AMEX)
Posts: 112
Unfortunately ...
AA did not follow through on what the supervisor told me so I am in the same boat as wijibintheair as AA has "reprotected" me on BA in coach but I had originally booked an F award ticket (so I am being downgraded two classes).
Not only that but AA is unnecessarily taking an extra day. The routing AA has arranged is:
5/30 13:30 5/30 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB
5/30 20:45 5/31 06:45 BA 0054 JNB-LHR
5/31 15:15 5/31 18:40 BA 462 LHR-MAD
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK
The routing I desire (and asked the supervisor to put in a request)
5/31 13:30 5/31 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB
5/31 19:20 6/01 05:15 BA 0056 JNB-LHR
6/01 07:25 6/01 10:50 IB 3161 LHR-MAD
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK
For the more experienced travelers, do I have any recourse? Thanks.
Not only that but AA is unnecessarily taking an extra day. The routing AA has arranged is:
5/30 13:30 5/30 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB
5/30 20:45 5/31 06:45 BA 0054 JNB-LHR
5/31 15:15 5/31 18:40 BA 462 LHR-MAD
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK
The routing I desire (and asked the supervisor to put in a request)
5/31 13:30 5/31 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB
5/31 19:20 6/01 05:15 BA 0056 JNB-LHR
6/01 07:25 6/01 10:50 IB 3161 LHR-MAD
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK
For the more experienced travelers, do I have any recourse? Thanks.
Mar 15, 2012, 1:54 pm
#287
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 132
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
That hardly sounds like a oneworld award issue, which is the subject of this thread. And if you're being asked to pay $775, it sounds like at least one of your flights is on BA. Avoid BA, and you'll pay much less.
That hardly sounds like a oneworld award issue, which is the subject of this thread. And if you're being asked to pay $775, it sounds like at least one of your flights is on BA. Avoid BA, and you'll pay much less.
Mar 15, 2012, 2:39 pm
#288
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Miami
Programs: AA LT Gold SPG Gold ($30K AMEX)
Posts: 112
The one thing AA did for me ...
... is eat at BA surcharges. So I didn't pay any extra charges for the "reprotection".
Mar 15, 2012, 11:21 pm
#289
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 8
Even though I didn't end up needed to post any questions to this thread, I just wanted to say thank you to all the people that have contributed to the information here.
The info in this thread has helped me to design a one way, 24920 mile, 15 segment, 4 continent (using the 7 continent model), 6 airline, oneworld award which I currently have on hold!
The info in this thread has helped me to design a one way, 24920 mile, 15 segment, 4 continent (using the 7 continent model), 6 airline, oneworld award which I currently have on hold!
Mar 17, 2012, 1:04 am
#290
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
The routing I desire (and asked the supervisor to put in a request)
5/31 13:30 5/31 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB
5/31 19:20 6/01 05:15 BA 0056 JNB-LHR
6/01 07:25 6/01 10:50 IB 3161 LHR-MAD
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK
For the more experienced travelers, do I have any recourse?
5/31 13:30 5/31 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB
5/31 19:20 6/01 05:15 BA 0056 JNB-LHR
6/01 07:25 6/01 10:50 IB 3161 LHR-MAD
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK
For the more experienced travelers, do I have any recourse?
Mar 17, 2012, 10:40 am
#291
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Miami
Programs: AA LT Gold SPG Gold ($30K AMEX)
Posts: 112
Unfortunately no ...
So, I setup a bunch of alerts in ExpertFlyer; also, the supervisor will look for availability (as my trip progresses) and change/upgrade flights as she sees availability.
If, however, I am using these tools wrong and someone sees availability please let me know. Thanks.
If, however, I am using these tools wrong and someone sees availability please let me know. Thanks.
Mar 17, 2012, 12:47 pm
#292
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Miami
Programs: AA LT Gold SPG Gold ($30K AMEX)
Posts: 112
Got the only 1st Class (Z) available for May
I decided to check BA' 1st class availability and saw 1 Award Seat for May 29th at 7:40am that was available. I called American and grabbed it (and moved my LVI-JNB flight one day earlier). My itinerary now is:
5/28 13:30 5/28 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB Economy (X)
5/29 07:40 5/29 17:50 BA 34 JNB-LHR First (Z)
5/31 15:15 6/01 18:40 BA 462 LHR-MAD Business (U)
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK Business (U)
The times are not ideal because I cut a tour one day short in Livingstone, but I figured the hardest thing was to find a transcontinental Z flight. I don't mind spending a couple of days sightseeing in London. Surprisingly, AA booked the ticket without giving me any extra charges (upgrade two classes and now a stopover in London).
My #1 preference would be to get these times beginning on 5/29, 5/30 or 5/31:
5/31 13:30 5/31 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB
5/31 19:20 6/01 05:15 BA 0056 JNB-LHR
6/01 07:25 6/01 10:50 IB 3161 LHR-MAD
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK
My #2 preference would be to get a Z or U flight after that 5/29 morning flight so I can take the original LVI-JNB 5/29 flight (or preferably a couple of days later so I can enjoy Livingstone more).
My #3 preference would be to keep my itinerary and at least find a 6/1 morning flight from LHR-MAD to catch my 12:40 MAD-RAK flight so I do not need to go to the airport twice and check into two hotels in London and then Madrid. Presently, there are only two flights that would work (neither of which have availability in either U or X):
6/01 06:15 6/01 09:40 BA 0456 LHR-MAD
6/01 07:25 6/01 10:50 IB 3161 LHR-MAD
5/28 13:30 5/28 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB Economy (X)
5/29 07:40 5/29 17:50 BA 34 JNB-LHR First (Z)
5/31 15:15 6/01 18:40 BA 462 LHR-MAD Business (U)
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK Business (U)
The times are not ideal because I cut a tour one day short in Livingstone, but I figured the hardest thing was to find a transcontinental Z flight. I don't mind spending a couple of days sightseeing in London. Surprisingly, AA booked the ticket without giving me any extra charges (upgrade two classes and now a stopover in London).
My #1 preference would be to get these times beginning on 5/29, 5/30 or 5/31:
5/31 13:30 5/31 15:15 BA 6292 LVI-JNB
5/31 19:20 6/01 05:15 BA 0056 JNB-LHR
6/01 07:25 6/01 10:50 IB 3161 LHR-MAD
6/01 12:40 6/01 12:35 IB 8372 MAD-RAK
My #2 preference would be to get a Z or U flight after that 5/29 morning flight so I can take the original LVI-JNB 5/29 flight (or preferably a couple of days later so I can enjoy Livingstone more).
My #3 preference would be to keep my itinerary and at least find a 6/1 morning flight from LHR-MAD to catch my 12:40 MAD-RAK flight so I do not need to go to the airport twice and check into two hotels in London and then Madrid. Presently, there are only two flights that would work (neither of which have availability in either U or X):
6/01 06:15 6/01 09:40 BA 0456 LHR-MAD
6/01 07:25 6/01 10:50 IB 3161 LHR-MAD
Mar 17, 2012, 7:36 pm
#293
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
Expert Flyer will not be any help when trying to find award availability on BA. And I wouldn't rely on the supervisor to find the flights for me.
Mar 17, 2012, 9:08 pm
#294
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Miami
Programs: AA LT Gold SPG Gold ($30K AMEX)
Posts: 112
Thanks
Yeh. ExpertFlyer did not show the availability; I only saw it on BA.
The supervisor who booked the ticket said it cleared pricing (without any mention of additional charges). Also, I can see it online as First Class now. So let's see if I get hit up for stopping over in London.
Agreed. I will be proactive about trying to find the ideal schedule. I would be willing to drop down to Business if I could get on a BA flight a couple of days later (more time in Livingstone), but let's see how this all shakes out. But I do appreciate now getting booked on First Class for JNB-LHR.
The supervisor who booked the ticket said it cleared pricing (without any mention of additional charges). Also, I can see it online as First Class now. So let's see if I get hit up for stopping over in London.
Agreed. I will be proactive about trying to find the ideal schedule. I would be willing to drop down to Business if I could get on a BA flight a couple of days later (more time in Livingstone), but let's see how this all shakes out. But I do appreciate now getting booked on First Class for JNB-LHR.
Mar 17, 2012, 9:30 pm
#295
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Yeh. ExpertFlyer did not show the availability; I only saw it on BA.
The supervisor who booked the ticket said it cleared pricing (without any mention of additional charges). Also, I can see it online as First Class now. So let's see if I get hit up for stopping over in London.
Agreed. I will be proactive about trying to find the ideal schedule. I would be willing to drop down to Business if I could get on a BA flight a couple of days later (more time in Livingstone), but let's see how this all shakes out. But I do appreciate now getting booked on First Class for JNB-LHR.
The supervisor who booked the ticket said it cleared pricing (without any mention of additional charges). Also, I can see it online as First Class now. So let's see if I get hit up for stopping over in London.
Agreed. I will be proactive about trying to find the ideal schedule. I would be willing to drop down to Business if I could get on a BA flight a couple of days later (more time in Livingstone), but let's see how this all shakes out. But I do appreciate now getting booked on First Class for JNB-LHR.
Mar 17, 2012, 10:40 pm
#296
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Miami
Programs: AA LT Gold SPG Gold ($30K AMEX)
Posts: 112
Ticketed
The status says "Ticketed" on aa.com.
When I go to BA's website and enter the Booking reference in the "Manage My Booking" it brings up all the segments. If I click on the Flight BA0034 to London on Tue 29 May 2012 07:40 segment it says:
Tue 29 May 2012 07:40 Johannesburg
Terminal A 11 hrs 10 mins First
Arrive Tue 29 May 2012 17:50 Heathrow (London)
Terminal 5 0 stops Confirmed
Is there anything else I should be looking for to confirm "confirmed/ticketed"?
When I go to BA's website and enter the Booking reference in the "Manage My Booking" it brings up all the segments. If I click on the Flight BA0034 to London on Tue 29 May 2012 07:40 segment it says:
Tue 29 May 2012 07:40 Johannesburg
Terminal A 11 hrs 10 mins First
Arrive Tue 29 May 2012 17:50 Heathrow (London)
Terminal 5 0 stops Confirmed
Is there anything else I should be looking for to confirm "confirmed/ticketed"?
Mar 19, 2012, 5:35 am
#297
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virginia
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum - 2M miles
Posts: 216
AA Refused to Change Connection to Layover
I was finally able to rebook the final leg of my OW ticket from AKL-HKG-JFK to allow two more weeks in New Zealand thru Mid-Jan 2013 when the Cathay Pacific award system became operational again. I asked for a 2-day stopover in HKG when I realized that there would only be a 2 hr connection in HKG - making for about a killer total 30 hrs in the air.
The rep booked the HK layover with no problem - but the change got rejected by Ticketing. They insisted that this was not allowed per OW rules. Should I call again and try it? Any suggestions on how to proceed?
Thanks
Joyce
The rep booked the HK layover with no problem - but the change got rejected by Ticketing. They insisted that this was not allowed per OW rules. Should I call again and try it? Any suggestions on how to proceed?
Thanks
Joyce
Mar 19, 2012, 11:12 am
#298
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,585
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
If your award was originally ticketed with only a connection through HKG, you cannot now change the connection to a stopover.
Originally Posted by Jwerking
I was finally able to rebook the final leg of my OW ticket from AKL-HKG-JFK to allow two more weeks in New Zealand thru Mid-Jan 2013 when the Cathay Pacific award system became operational again. I asked for a 2-day stopover in HKG when I realized that there would only be a 2 hr connection in HKG - making for about a killer total 30 hrs in the air.
The rep booked the HK layover with no problem - but the change got rejected by Ticketing. They insisted that this was not allowed per OW rules. Should I call again and try it? Any suggestions on how to proceed?
Thanks
Joyce
The rep booked the HK layover with no problem - but the change got rejected by Ticketing. They insisted that this was not allowed per OW rules. Should I call again and try it? Any suggestions on how to proceed?
Thanks
Joyce
Mar 19, 2012, 9:09 pm
#299
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Miami
Programs: AA LT Gold SPG Gold ($30K AMEX)
Posts: 112
Are you positive?
I thought you cannot change routes or airlines, but can change dates/times and connections/stopovers providing you are not using the same city as a stopover twice.
So, for example, I had LHR as a connection and just changed it to a stopover (because I wasn't using it as a stopover elsewhere in my ticket).
So, for example, I had LHR as a connection and just changed it to a stopover (because I wasn't using it as a stopover elsewhere in my ticket).
Mar 19, 2012, 9:14 pm
#300
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,585
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Has your ticket been re-issued yet?
I had a oneworld award with two LAX transits: one, a stopover; the other, a connection. When award seats opened up, I tried to change the stopover to a connection, and the connection to a stopover, but was informed that although the existing stopover could be changed to a connection, the existing connection could not be changed to a stopover.
Originally Posted by FlyerMC
I thought you cannot change routes or airlines, but can change dates/times and connections/stopovers providing you are not using the same city as a stopover twice.
So, for example, I had LHR as a connection and just changed it to a stopover (because I wasn't using it as a stopover elsewhere in my ticket).
So, for example, I had LHR as a connection and just changed it to a stopover (because I wasn't using it as a stopover elsewhere in my ticket).
I had a oneworld award with two LAX transits: one, a stopover; the other, a connection. When award seats opened up, I tried to change the stopover to a connection, and the connection to a stopover, but was informed that although the existing stopover could be changed to a connection, the existing connection could not be changed to a stopover.