Feb 19, 2016, 1:49 pm
Last edit by: SpammersAreScum
AA Vacations / aavacations.com Flight and Ground Packages
Trust American Airlines to offer you the perfect package at the best price, guaranteed! When you choose to bundle your travel components into one package price we can offer you an unbeatable value by combining our unpublished low rates on flights with specially negotiated rates on hotels, activities and transportation. So, whether you're looking for a quick flight plus hotel weekend getaway or an all-inclusive package complete with flight, hotel, ground transportation and tickets to local attractions, you can rest easy knowing the entire trip is covered by our Lowest Price Guarantee.
FAQ
Q. Do these earn AA EQM and Award Miles (RDM)? Will they earn EQD (EQ Dollars) in 2017?
These generally book into discount paid fare buckets, so "Yes" at this time. There are a few promotional offers that do not earn EQM; these will clearly say so, so read thoroughly. See:
Special fares: Earning Award Miles and Elite Qualifying Credits on aa.com
and
Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, oneworld, partners 2016
and this for the changes affecting Award Miles coming in the latter part of 2016.
Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners later 2016
Q. Can I upgrade these with AA upgrade instruments (e500 "stickers", miles and copay, SWU)?
Currently, yes. These would follow the standard AA upgrade rules.
Q. Can I use AAdvantage Award Miles to "pay" for a vacation?
Yes. You can "pay" with money (cards, etc.), AAdvantage miles or a combination of both.
Q. So, what kinds of fares are ineligible for earning AA miles?
Exceptions (aa.com)
Q. What about EQM and Award ("Redeemable") Miles earning later in 2016?
AA has specified a set of "Special Fares", which includes AA Vacations:
Note that the Special Fares page also says, "AAdvantage elite member bonuses will be applied in addition to the percentages shown for award miles."
Q. What fare classes do First and Business packages book into?
Typically A for international First, A or P domestic F, and I or D international Business.
Q. What if I'm flying on a flight on a partner airline?
AA Vacations most often books into AA "code shares" / AA marketed flights. In that case, you'll earn miles as if flying on American. If it doesn't, you'll earn per the agreement AA has with the partner airline. Start here to look them up.
Q. What advance purchase restrictions are imposed?
Most advance purchase, minimum stay, etc. normally imposed by the airline don't apply; the restrictions are those imposed by AA Vacations. (Detailed Fare Rules for your fare generally do apply, however.)
Q. Are the trips or fares refundable?
Generally not fully refundable. Hotels and ground activities are generally not at all, and air will depend on the fare bucket and detailed rules. AA vacations does offer protection, but hotels etc. may not be included.
"There are two types of protection available: We offer the Cancellation and Change Waiver (Pre-Departure Protection) which allows you to cancel and/or change either the land or air portion of their package without penalty. Trip Protector (Post-Departure protection) from Allianz Global Assistance can provide protection for your trip expenses, your health and your belongings."
A waiver is usually $129.
Q. What is the shortest time I can book an air-hotel package for?
It appears three nights is the shortest period allowed by aavacations.
Q. Can I book a ten day package with only three days of prepaid hotel?
Sure. You'll have to call to do so, however.
Q. Is only one hotel offered?
No. A variety of properties is generally offered, but this will of course affect pricing.
Q. Does the hotel have to be in the destination city?
No. You can book a property in another city if it's offered by AA Vacations.
Q. What happens if I don't use the ground part (hotel, car, etc.)? Will they cancel my return flights?
Nothing. You can use it or forget it. No flight cancellations ensue. See AA Vacations - not checking in at Hotel Some purposely book the cheapest pricing for their trip knowing they're choosing a "throwaway hotel" they won't use.
Though one AA Vacations agent actually said "always book with us and just book the cheapest hotel for 3 days and throw it away", don't you say it's your intent.
Q. Will AA Vacations cause problems for me?
If you disclose your intent to AA Vacations to "throw away" (not stay at) the hotel, they can not sell you the package. So, don't.
Q. Will the hotel cause problems for me?
Not likely; they're paid for a prepaid stay whether you stay or not, as they get to keep the money and have "your" room to sell.
Q. Will I earn points at the hotel? Will they recognize my status?
Many chains don't recognize third party bookings for points or stay credit, but will usually recognize your status. Properties will treat as prepaid booking.
Q. Are there ever deals or promos?
Indeed. There are often sales and promotions; look for them on the site.
Q. What if I want to book open jaw or customize?
Calling can do that. There's a $39 call fee, unless it's not able to be booked online. Others have said you can generally calculate the price of an open jaw itinerary by adding half the price of pricing for vacations to the arrival and departure cities and adding those.
Q. Can I put these on "hold" while I think about it since these include air fare?
No. But: Refund of Air Ticket Portion Within 24 Hours of Purchase
Within 24 hours of booking, you are allowed to cancel your refundable or non-refundable air ticket for a full refund (and no change fees and/or difference in fare) subject to the following rules:
Q. My AAdvantage credit card earns double Award ("Redeemable") Miles on AA purchases. Will AA Vacations purchases earn 2x miles?
No. What transactions are eligible to earn double AAdvantage® miles?
Eligible American Airlines purchases are items billed by American Airlines as the merchant of record booked through American Airlines channels (aa.com, American Airlines Reservations, American Airlines airport, in-flight and city ticket counters). American Airlines tickets purchased through other channels or that are a component of any other cruise or tour package do not earn the additional mile purchase bonuses. Products or services that do not qualify for the additional bonus miles include car rentals, hotel reservations, American Airlines Vacations packages, purchases of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, duty free purchases and or AA Cargo℠
Q. Do these earn AA EQM and Award Miles (RDM)? Will they earn EQD (EQ Dollars) in 2017?
These generally book into discount paid fare buckets, so "Yes" at this time. There are a few promotional offers that do not earn EQM; these will clearly say so, so read thoroughly. See:
Special fares: Earning Award Miles and Elite Qualifying Credits on aa.com
and
Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, oneworld, partners 2016
and this for the changes affecting Award Miles coming in the latter part of 2016.
Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners later 2016
Q. Can I upgrade these with AA upgrade instruments (e500 "stickers", miles and copay, SWU)?
Currently, yes. These would follow the standard AA upgrade rules.
Q. Can I use AAdvantage Award Miles to "pay" for a vacation?
Yes. You can "pay" with money (cards, etc.), AAdvantage miles or a combination of both.
Q. So, what kinds of fares are ineligible for earning AA miles?
Certain airline tickets are not eligible for earning mileage credit. These include, without limitation, the following: all tickets issued as AAdvantage awards or other free ticket promotions including free or reduced rate tickets; companion tickets; charter flight tickets; travel agency/industry reduced rate tickets; infant tickets; items occupying a purchased seat; unpublished fare tickets, including consolidator fares, tickets issued as a result of a fare published inadvertently or by mistake and tickets issued subject to special provisions.
Link to AAdvantage Terms and Conditions
Link to AAdvantage Terms and Conditions
There are certain airline ticket types that are not eligible for mileage accrual regardless of the booking class. These include, without limitation, the following:
Q Are there any types of tickets that won’t earn award miles?
Yes, tickets that currently do not earn award miles, elite-qualifying miles or elite-qualifying segments will not earn award miles in the future. This includes:
Q Are there any types of tickets that won’t earn award miles?
Yes, tickets that currently do not earn award miles, elite-qualifying miles or elite-qualifying segments will not earn award miles in the future. This includes:
- All tickets issued as AAdvantage awards
- Other free ticket promotions including free or reduced rate tickets
- Companion tickets
- Charter flight tickets
- Travel agency/industry reduced rate tickets
- Infant tickets
- Extra seats or items occupying a purchased seat
- Unpublished fare tickets, including consolidator fares
- Tickets issued subject to special provisions
AA has specified a set of "Special Fares", which includes AA Vacations:
Some fares (such as bulk or consolidator fares) earn award miles and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) at a modified rate based on a percentage of the distance flown as determined by the booking code.
Special fares are often purchased through a specialized agent, third party or as part of a package including air transportation and lodging.
Examples:
Special fares are often purchased through a specialized agent, third party or as part of a package including air transportation and lodging.
Examples:
- Bulk fares
- Cruise fares
- Consolidator fares
- Discounted or inclusive tour packages
- Vacation packages, including American Airlines Vacations® (AAV) packages
- Other tickets where the fare isn't disclosed, excluding bookings made through priceline.com or hotwire.com where the carrier isn't disclosed before buying
Q. What fare classes do First and Business packages book into?
Typically A for international First, A or P domestic F, and I or D international Business.
Q. What if I'm flying on a flight on a partner airline?
AA Vacations most often books into AA "code shares" / AA marketed flights. In that case, you'll earn miles as if flying on American. If it doesn't, you'll earn per the agreement AA has with the partner airline. Start here to look them up.
Q. What advance purchase restrictions are imposed?
Most advance purchase, minimum stay, etc. normally imposed by the airline don't apply; the restrictions are those imposed by AA Vacations. (Detailed Fare Rules for your fare generally do apply, however.)
Q. Are the trips or fares refundable?
Generally not fully refundable. Hotels and ground activities are generally not at all, and air will depend on the fare bucket and detailed rules. AA vacations does offer protection, but hotels etc. may not be included.
"There are two types of protection available: We offer the Cancellation and Change Waiver (Pre-Departure Protection) which allows you to cancel and/or change either the land or air portion of their package without penalty. Trip Protector (Post-Departure protection) from Allianz Global Assistance can provide protection for your trip expenses, your health and your belongings."
A waiver is usually $129.
Q. What is the shortest time I can book an air-hotel package for?
It appears three nights is the shortest period allowed by aavacations.
Q. Can I book a ten day package with only three days of prepaid hotel?
Sure. You'll have to call to do so, however.
Q. Is only one hotel offered?
No. A variety of properties is generally offered, but this will of course affect pricing.
Q. Does the hotel have to be in the destination city?
No. You can book a property in another city if it's offered by AA Vacations.
Q. What happens if I don't use the ground part (hotel, car, etc.)? Will they cancel my return flights?
Nothing. You can use it or forget it. No flight cancellations ensue. See AA Vacations - not checking in at Hotel Some purposely book the cheapest pricing for their trip knowing they're choosing a "throwaway hotel" they won't use.
Though one AA Vacations agent actually said "always book with us and just book the cheapest hotel for 3 days and throw it away", don't you say it's your intent.
Q. Will AA Vacations cause problems for me?
If you disclose your intent to AA Vacations to "throw away" (not stay at) the hotel, they can not sell you the package. So, don't.
Q. Will the hotel cause problems for me?
Not likely; they're paid for a prepaid stay whether you stay or not, as they get to keep the money and have "your" room to sell.
Q. Will I earn points at the hotel? Will they recognize my status?
Many chains don't recognize third party bookings for points or stay credit, but will usually recognize your status. Properties will treat as prepaid booking.
Q. Are there ever deals or promos?
Indeed. There are often sales and promotions; look for them on the site.
Q. What if I want to book open jaw or customize?
Calling can do that. There's a $39 call fee, unless it's not able to be booked online. Others have said you can generally calculate the price of an open jaw itinerary by adding half the price of pricing for vacations to the arrival and departure cities and adding those.
Q. Can I put these on "hold" while I think about it since these include air fare?
No. But: Refund of Air Ticket Portion Within 24 Hours of Purchase
Within 24 hours of booking, you are allowed to cancel your refundable or non-refundable air ticket for a full refund (and no change fees and/or difference in fare) subject to the following rules:
- You must call 800-321-2121 within 24 hours of purchase to cancel the air ticket reservation and request a refund of the air ticket.
- The reservation must have been booked at least 7 days before scheduled departure.
- This policy does not apply to hotel or other non-air portions of the package. Standard cancellation policies will apply to all non-air components of the package.
- Refunds are only issued for tickets booked on aavacations.com or with American Airlines Vacations Reservations.
Q. My AAdvantage credit card earns double Award ("Redeemable") Miles on AA purchases. Will AA Vacations purchases earn 2x miles?
No. What transactions are eligible to earn double AAdvantage® miles?
Eligible American Airlines purchases are items billed by American Airlines as the merchant of record booked through American Airlines channels (aa.com, American Airlines Reservations, American Airlines airport, in-flight and city ticket counters). American Airlines tickets purchased through other channels or that are a component of any other cruise or tour package do not earn the additional mile purchase bonuses. Products or services that do not qualify for the additional bonus miles include car rentals, hotel reservations, American Airlines Vacations packages, purchases of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, duty free purchases and or AA Cargo℠
(lower right wiki corner)Updated 20 Aug 2016 by SpammersAreScum
AA: Reduced J Prices to Europe when purchasing via AA Vacations
Oct 8, 2015, 2:49 pm
#106
Join Date: May 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT, Marriott LTP
Posts: 493
Does anyone have experience with this air/hotel combo and NOT staying at the reserved hotel? Is it an issue? I will probably not stay at the hotel I booked for the first 2 nights. One agent told me 'we don't do bed checks'. When I called back to book, I had a different agent and when I stupidly mentioned that I probably won't stay at the hotel she said Oh don't tell me that or I can't book this. I had to do a little back pedaling.
Just wondering what happens when you don't show up at the hotel. I'm hoping and assuming nothing.
Just wondering what happens when you don't show up at the hotel. I'm hoping and assuming nothing.
Oct 8, 2015, 3:23 pm
#107
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: DL PLT, AS 75k, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 391
Does anyone have experience with this air/hotel combo and NOT staying at the reserved hotel? Is it an issue? I will probably not stay at the hotel I booked for the first 2 nights. One agent told me 'we don't do bed checks'. When I called back to book, I had a different agent and when I stupidly mentioned that I probably won't stay at the hotel she said Oh don't tell me that or I can't book this. I had to do a little back pedaling.
Just wondering what happens when you don't show up at the hotel. I'm hoping and assuming nothing.
Just wondering what happens when you don't show up at the hotel. I'm hoping and assuming nothing.
Oct 8, 2015, 3:40 pm
#108
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Gold; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meliá & HH & Marriott Gold
Posts: 5,450
Since you characterise that as "stupid" yourself I won't pile on. 
You'll find reassurance in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ing-hotel.html
You'll find reassurance in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ing-hotel.html
Oct 9, 2015, 9:42 am
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,227
Sure, but the hotel could cancel the reservation if you don't show up until the 3rd night. I guess you could call and let them know, but that might confuse them if they think you're trying to change the dates of the Rez.
Oct 9, 2015, 10:17 am
#110
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Gold; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meliá & HH & Marriott Gold
Posts: 5,450
BMWMOT is considering not using the first of two distinct hotels:
Oct 17, 2015, 11:35 pm
#113
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
While these certainly don't look good in comparison to the sale late last week where most routes were sub $1500, I still see this as a pretty viable tool for last minute trips to the EU. It seems like 90% of the under 14 day trips are AA routings involving old 777 seating, but if you hunt around enough... I actually found one trip for NEXT week that is I class over and actually A on an old 777 on the return for $4100. I found a mix of I over and D back that is around $2800, no Sat stay, no minimum stay. Given the last minute nature of this trip, even my corp rates are into the mid $4k range for business class.
Oct 17, 2015, 11:42 pm
#114
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,900
While these certainly don't look good in comparison to the sale late last week where most routes were sub $1500, I still see this as a pretty viable tool for last minute trips to the EU. It seems like 90% of the under 14 day trips are AA routings involving old 777 seating, but if you hunt around enough... I actually found one trip for NEXT week that is I class over and actually A on an old 777 on the return for $4100. I found a mix of I over and D back that is around $2800, no Sat stay, no minimum stay. Given the last minute nature of this trip, even my corp rates are into the mid $4k range for business class.
NO west coast cities.
Plus this fare involves code share.
I have a flight on Finnair A330 out of JFK, BA A380 F, AA77W LAX to LHR.
All for $2k or so .
No old AA 777 . Just got to search a bit.
Oct 17, 2015, 11:51 pm
#115
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Are you saying there are no west coast city deals on the AAvacation site now? I found plenty ex-SEA and ex-SFO to CDG, LHR, AMS. All for next week. Also, some are AA coded metal, but the vast majority of last minute stuff is AA metal. Also, while much is old 777, my point was plenty can be found with new 767 or 77W and even the US330.
Edited to add: I wound up using this for a last minute trip that kept changing, grabbed SEA-DFW-LHR-DFW-SEA, with 77W both ways (I outbound, D return). About $2k less than what our corp rates would pull up. That's probably not how AA revenue management wants AAVacations fares to be used ;-)
Edited to add: I wound up using this for a last minute trip that kept changing, grabbed SEA-DFW-LHR-DFW-SEA, with 77W both ways (I outbound, D return). About $2k less than what our corp rates would pull up. That's probably not how AA revenue management wants AAVacations fares to be used ;-)
Last edited by stephem; Oct 19, 2015 at 1:57 pm
Nov 3, 2015, 2:23 pm
#116
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
I flew one of these last week, all went off without a hitch, even had the opportunity for a no copay miles upgrade from D class on the return (but stayed in my window 77W seat instead).
I also see F on JFK-LHR for a number of dates popping up at $3500 either AA 77W or BA metal.
I also see F on JFK-LHR for a number of dates popping up at $3500 either AA 77W or BA metal.
Nov 3, 2015, 2:30 pm
#117
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Gold; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meliá & HH & Marriott Gold
Posts: 5,450
Nov 3, 2015, 2:38 pm
#118
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Nope, never set foot in the place.
25k bonus posted immediately for each segment. Nice to get the long flight bonus for D on one segment as well.
Also all AA coded so the 2x EQP posted immediately for all segments as well.
BTW- I needed to change the first ticket I had booked, so canceled using the $129 waiver, then made a new booking that I eventually flew. So all the aspects of it seem to check out, including the waiver.
25k bonus posted immediately for each segment. Nice to get the long flight bonus for D on one segment as well.
Also all AA coded so the 2x EQP posted immediately for all segments as well.
BTW- I needed to change the first ticket I had booked, so canceled using the $129 waiver, then made a new booking that I eventually flew. So all the aspects of it seem to check out, including the waiver.
Nov 3, 2015, 5:59 pm
#120
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
Yes, thanks for the reminder Stephem. I was able to snag some YYZ-LHR (via JFK) seats for USD$2700. From JFK it would have been as low as $2200 at the end of Nov. This is a work trip, and pricing was a couple grand less than what I got from my corporate travel agent.
AA vacations also useful for South America. Just a few comparisons:
JFK-EZE (nonstop AA 953/954) is $3300 on AA vacations vs. $4800 on AA.com
JFK-SCL $2100 on AA vacations vs. $3900 on AA.com
JFK-GIG $2400 vs. $5300.
I'm just looking at random dates at the end of Nov. I know that some better deals pop up from time to time, there are different booking codes (I vs. D)...but that price gap is pretty huge if you need to be down there. And, heck, you could even use the hotel!
AA vacations also useful for South America. Just a few comparisons:
JFK-EZE (nonstop AA 953/954) is $3300 on AA vacations vs. $4800 on AA.com
JFK-SCL $2100 on AA vacations vs. $3900 on AA.com
JFK-GIG $2400 vs. $5300.
I'm just looking at random dates at the end of Nov. I know that some better deals pop up from time to time, there are different booking codes (I vs. D)...but that price gap is pretty huge if you need to be down there. And, heck, you could even use the hotel!