Star Alliance - *A fares must now be purchased in country of origin????

A UA rep just told me that as of May 1, I can no longer a *A RTW/ Circle Pacific Fare that begins in another country to take advantage of the lower rate. (Example, Circle Pacific xICN in C is about $5100. But they want $9XXX per the US rate.)

I know that going back a number of years, this is how it was done. Have things truly reverted, or did I get a bad agent?

Uh, are you trying to originate in RGN?

Uh, are you trying to originate in RGN?

No. Legit fare xICN.

Unfortunately you seem to be right. *A has changed the rules and is mirroring OW now:

WHEN TRAVEL ORIGINATES IN ONE COUNTRY AND THE
TICKET IS SOLD IN ANOTHER COUNTRY THE FARE WILL
BE THAT APPLICABLE FROM THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
CONVERTED TO THE CURRENCY OF THE COUNTRY OF SALE
AT THE BANKERS SELLING RATE
THE RESULTANT FARE MUST NOT BE LOWER THAN THE
APPLICABLE FARE OF THE COUNTRY OF SALE.
EXCEPTION- RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO TICKET
SOLD AND/OR FOR TRAVEL ORIGINATING IN CANADA
OR THE EUROPEAN COMMON AVIATION AREA/SWITZERLAND.

They also have the Canadian exception and also a EU exception which OW does not have.

Unfortunately you seem to be right. *A has changed the rules and is mirroring OW now:

WHEN TRAVEL ORIGINATES IN ONE COUNTRY AND THE
TICKET IS SOLD IN ANOTHER COUNTRY THE FARE WILL
BE THAT APPLICABLE FROM THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
CONVERTED TO THE CURRENCY OF THE COUNTRY OF SALE
AT THE BANKERS SELLING RATE
THE RESULTANT FARE MUST NOT BE LOWER THAN THE
APPLICABLE FARE OF THE COUNTRY OF SALE.
EXCEPTION- RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO TICKET
SOLD AND/OR FOR TRAVEL ORIGINATING IN CANADA
OR THE EUROPEAN COMMON AVIATION AREA/SWITZERLAND.

They also have the Canadian exception and also a EU exception which OW does not have.

Yuck. Well, I just was able to purchase at the lower fare via the *A website.

Yuck. Well, I just was able to purchase at the lower fare via the *A website.

don't forget to smack your stupid TA...
;)