Originally Posted by
bedelman
It would be on-the-record and public, and AA's attorneys would be obliged to respond.
The risk is what that response says.
Originally Posted by
Gardyloo
I get a little nervous at the prospect of raising this issue too loudly in the AA apparatus, or any of the alliance's airlines for that matter. Given that the prices for the tickets can vary so substantially from one country to another, I don't know how hard it would be for AA in cahoots with BA (who between them most likely call the shots with Oneworld) just to say, "enough," and just raise prices everywhere, badda bing. Who's to stop them? So my inclination is to find work-arounds rather than pull the lion's whiskers, as it were. Maybe that's chickens**t but it's what I'm thinking.
Exactly my thoughts.
Originally Posted by
bedelman
I don't think it's a surprise, to AA or BA or any international airline, that fares vary based on point of origin. Fares are set carefully, with an eye to market conditions and competition and customer willingness to pay.
RTW tickets are a strange thing. The airlines seem to want them to be used, but not too much. Whenever people here have gone "too far" (in the airlines' eyes), the cost has gone dramatically up. When I first started booking RTWs, ex-US fares were 1/3 what they are now. They became very popular, and fares started climbing. Ex-KRT was very popular for a year, and suddenly started being priced in USD. Right now, ex-S.A. is the best deal. I'd really hate to see that option destroyed. There are several ways to work around the issue for now.
Originally Posted by
bedelman
Personally I have not been harmed by this practice. When I have needed to buy RTW tickets, originating outside the US, I have been able to do so. (But of course that was some years ago, and by all indications the current problem is a new development.) If AA tried the tactic on me that is discussed in this thread, I would file the complaint contemplated here. That doesn't mean anyone else has to or wants to.
But your taking such action is bound to result in some result:
- The DOT ignores you
- AA ignores the DOT
- AA responds by allowing you to use your CC as a one-off
- AA responds by apologizing and allowing anyone to use any CC
- Ex-S.A. fares start being priced in USD (at ex-N.A. rates)
- AA (with BA) responds by adding a rule about CC address or residency
You have vast experience in this area. Which option(s) do you think are most likely? (1) and (2) are probably out, (4) feels unlikely to me, but what do I know? (5) and (6) would be very bad for all of us.