This link was evoked in a discussion in another forum but it seems more logical to pursue the questions it raises here.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/agency/Bookin...tkt_policy.jsp

It says:

> Changes to itineraries for passengers holding separate tickets:

...

> AA to/from AA or a oneworldŽ Carrier

> If a customer is holding separate tickets on AA or another oneworld
> carrier, customers holding separate tickets where travel is on oneworld
> airlines should be treated as through ticketed passengers. In the event of a
> disruption on the originating ticket, the carrier responsible for the
> disruption will be required to reroute the customer to their final
> destination. ...
_____

Is this a oneworld policy or just an AA policy? As written, it states that one of the two carriers involved in the 'disruption' is AA. But if the originating ticket is a 'oneworldŽ Carrier' other than AA, and if the disruption occurs on the originating ticket, how can 'the carrier responsible for the disruption ... be required to reroute the customer to their final destination' if it is not a OW rule? (How could AA 'require' them to do anything?) And if it is a OW rule (I can't find anything about it on the oneworld website), then it should apply to any two OW carriers, no?

The linked page goes on to say:

> You may contact AA Reservations 1-800-433-7300 (U.S. and Canada) or
> outside the U.S. and Canada, reference Worldwide Reservations Numbers
> for additional information if the separate ticket is for travel on a oneworld > carrier.
_____

Given that the carrier causing the misconnect is responsible for sorting out the consequences, if AA is the originating carrier and they cause you to miss your oneworld flight (even on a separate ticket), it makes sense that AA Reservations would re-schedule you to your final destination. But what if the originating carrier is the oneworld partner and you call AA Reservations, what will they tell you to do -- call the other airline? And then, how is the other airline 'required' to help you? Why won't they say (as they do) "Sorry ... separate tickets ... not our problem..."?

Anyone have any lore on this?

cheers,

Henry