Just got off the phone with an AA RTW CSR . Goal was to get my ex-NRT DONE3 validated (tried the online tool in vain ) and priced in JPY. If validated, then to be ticketed in Japan.

The CSR didn’t sound experienced at all (for starter, she did not know UL is in ow; did not know its airline code). This is quite a contrast of my prior experience with the RTW desk (I’ve done a few xONEx so far). Some other info that I got from her, if true, may affect others on this board.

1. She claimed that I MUST have all dates chosen for my 16 flights before she would send to the rate desk (albeit she said I could change them later). Since I have the first 3 flights with dates certain, the rest are open. She validated the itin verbally and gave me US price of $10,109 plus taxes & airline imposed fees.
2. When I insisted on having itin sent to rate desk (politely but firm) and be priced in JPY, She said they would not accept it. She went on, get this, to convert the US$ fare (inclusive of taxes & fees of approx. US$12,000+) to JPY for me. I thanked her and hung up.

Are these post-merger new rules? Anyone else has this experience?

Like they said around FT, if you don’t like what you hear, ring them up again for another CSR. But before I do that, I want to see if others have same problems/issues.