Jan 28, 2014, 12:14 am
Last edit by: JDiver
oneworld / AA Explorer award with AA Miles (discuss, questions) [ENDED 8 APR 2014]
N.B. new oneworld/AA Explorer awards are no longer available as of the end of the day on April 7th, 2014.
Existing awards will be honored.
This thread is ONLY to inquire or add about existing oneworld Explorer awards; to comment on the loss of this booking option, please follow the discussion on:
Oneworld Explorer Awards Eliminated -- Effective Immediately [8 Apr 2014]
See the first post, below, for the rules that prevailed through 7 April 2014 and apply to those who booked Explorer awards prior to the end of these useful award tickets.
oneworld / AA Explorer award with AA Miles (discuss, questions) [ENDED 8 APR 2014]
Dec 28, 2012, 6:54 pm
#886
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 12
I just tried placing a one-world award on a 5 day hold. It had LAN segments, and AA told me that as of Dec 21 and until further notice all flights with LAN segments must be ticketed immediately. They refused to give me a record locator number - even after we found availability for 11 segments!
Dec 29, 2012, 8:39 am
#887
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
Just Booked 2x Business Class Awards for my in-laws for 90,000 AA each and $403 (OUCH) taxes & fees. This is for August and October 2013 and is 9800 nautical miles.
MCO - MIA - LIM (all AA) Stopover
LIM - SCL (on LA) Stopover
SCL - MDZ (on LA) Stopover
MDZ - SCL - MIA (on LA) Stopover [although they just drive from MIA to Home near Orlando]
NAS - PLS (on BA) Stopover [and I am buying for them a $80 MCO - NAS ticket on Air Bahamas]
PLS - MIA - MCO (on AA)
Should I ask them to take another look at the taxes and fees? $400 seems steep, I was thinking more like $300 per ticket.
MCO - MIA - LIM (all AA) Stopover
LIM - SCL (on LA) Stopover
SCL - MDZ (on LA) Stopover
MDZ - SCL - MIA (on LA) Stopover [although they just drive from MIA to Home near Orlando]
NAS - PLS (on BA) Stopover [and I am buying for them a $80 MCO - NAS ticket on Air Bahamas]
PLS - MIA - MCO (on AA)
Should I ask them to take another look at the taxes and fees? $400 seems steep, I was thinking more like $300 per ticket.
Dec 29, 2012, 10:16 am
#888
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORD
Posts: 1,845
We put together a 130K=20K J award that I'd like to share along with a pitch for the locations.
To be sure, everyone's preferences are different and there is nothing new here, but I think it's a great value trip just under 20K in business and $270. in taxes.
ORD-NRT - Angled seats, but much, much better food than CX.
Tokyo food and Tsukiji fish market (Especially before the new market is bulit in 2014).
Expensive transfers but no visa fees.
NRT-MNL - Rainy season July, but love Pork Adobo. Not the thicker Ilocano style, but vinegary/soy Manila.
Cheap visas.
MNL-HKG-HAN - Viet Nam. Yummy and a the beautiful beach in Da Nang.
Rent a moto bike for $5./day and motor over vast areas.
Jetstar or train anywhere and sadly expensive ($90.) visas.
Land Segment
Air Asia $60. to BKK
No visas.
BKK - We like to stay in Nonthaburi on the river at the north terminal of the Chao Phraya Express Boat. There is a huge market and access to rural communities.
BKK-DEL - Train to Varanasi.
$166. visas for 10 years or cheaper.
DEL-AMM-IST - Who doesn't like IST?
Cheap visa.
IST-LHR-ORD - AA metal, but it's a day flight so sleeping might not be necessary.
People can add HKG, AMM and LHR for a total of 9 stops under 20,000 miles.
Anyway.. yeah, nothing new here, but it's great to only use up 130K.
To be sure, everyone's preferences are different and there is nothing new here, but I think it's a great value trip just under 20K in business and $270. in taxes.
ORD-NRT - Angled seats, but much, much better food than CX.
Tokyo food and Tsukiji fish market (Especially before the new market is bulit in 2014).
Expensive transfers but no visa fees.
NRT-MNL - Rainy season July, but love Pork Adobo. Not the thicker Ilocano style, but vinegary/soy Manila.
Cheap visas.
MNL-HKG-HAN - Viet Nam. Yummy and a the beautiful beach in Da Nang.
Rent a moto bike for $5./day and motor over vast areas.
Jetstar or train anywhere and sadly expensive ($90.) visas.
Land Segment
Air Asia $60. to BKK
No visas.
BKK - We like to stay in Nonthaburi on the river at the north terminal of the Chao Phraya Express Boat. There is a huge market and access to rural communities.
BKK-DEL - Train to Varanasi.
$166. visas for 10 years or cheaper.
DEL-AMM-IST - Who doesn't like IST?
Cheap visa.
IST-LHR-ORD - AA metal, but it's a day flight so sleeping might not be necessary.
People can add HKG, AMM and LHR for a total of 9 stops under 20,000 miles.
Anyway.. yeah, nothing new here, but it's great to only use up 130K.
Last edited by zznoname; Dec 29, 2012 at 10:27 am
Dec 29, 2012, 11:15 am
#889
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
Just Booked 2x Business Class Awards for my in-laws for 90,000 AA each and $403 (OUCH) taxes & fees.
MCO - MIA - LIM (all AA) Stopover
LIM - SCL (on LA) Stopover
SCL - MDZ (on LA) Stopover
MDZ - SCL - MIA (on LA) Stopover [although they just drive from MIA to Home near Orlando]
NAS - PLS (on BA) Stopover [and I am buying for them a $80 MCO - NAS ticket on Air Bahamas]
PLS - MIA - MCO (on AA)
Should I ask them to take another look at the taxes and fees? $400 seems steep, I was thinking more like $300 per ticket.
MCO - MIA - LIM (all AA) Stopover
LIM - SCL (on LA) Stopover
SCL - MDZ (on LA) Stopover
MDZ - SCL - MIA (on LA) Stopover [although they just drive from MIA to Home near Orlando]
NAS - PLS (on BA) Stopover [and I am buying for them a $80 MCO - NAS ticket on Air Bahamas]
PLS - MIA - MCO (on AA)
Should I ask them to take another look at the taxes and fees? $400 seems steep, I was thinking more like $300 per ticket.
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.00
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $9.00
US International Departure Tax (US) $16.70
Peru Int'l Arrival Tax (DY) $15.00
Peru Airport Departure Tax (HW) $30.74
Argentina Security Tax (TQ) $10.00
Argentina Immigration Tax (QO) $6.00
Argentina Airport Tax (XR) $16.48
US International Arrival Tax (US) $16.70
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
Bahamas Security Fee (GK) $7.00
Bahamas International Passenger Departure Tax (EA) $25.00
Bahamas Airport Facility Fee (GJ) $29.50
Bahamas Passenger Processing Fee (PO) $6.00
BA YQ surcharge (YQ) $40.00
Turks and Caicos Airport Development Charge (OZ) $20.00
Turks and Caicos Security Facility Maintenance Charge (GO) $5.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Govt Aerodromes Use Fee (TC) $3.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Aerodrome Security Charge (TC) $8.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Passenger Tax (TC) $29.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $2.50
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
US International Arrival Tax (US) $16.70
TOTAL: $356.82
Last edited by Austinrunner; Dec 29, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Dec 29, 2012, 1:08 pm
#890
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,601
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Call back.
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.00
Peru Int'l Arrival Tax (DY) $15.00
Peru Airport Departure Tax (HW) $30.74
Chile International Airport Facility Charge (ZQ) $13.10
Argentina Security Tax (TQ) $10.00
Argentina Immigration Tax (QO) $6.00
Argentina Airport Tax (XR) $16.48
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
Bahamas Passenger Processing Fee (PO) $6.00
Bahamas Airport Facility Fee (GJ) $29.50
Bahamas International Passenger Departure Tax (EA) $25.00
Bahamas Security Fee (GK) $7.00
Turks and Caicos Airport Development Charge (OZ) $20.00
Turks and Caicos Security Facility Maintenance Charge (GO) $5.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Govt Aerodromes Use Fee (TC) $3.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Aerodrome Security Charge (TC) $8.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Passenger Tax (TC) $29.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $2.50
TOTAL: $266.32
Isn't there a YQ/YR on the BA segment from NAS to PLS? If there is, that should trigger some additional U.S. taxes/fees.
Originally Posted by Austinrunner
Just Booked 2x Business Class Awards for my in-laws for 90,000 AA each and $403 (OUCH) taxes & fees.
MCO - MIA - LIM (all AA) Stopover
LIM - SCL (on LA) Stopover
SCL - MDZ (on LA) Stopover
MDZ - SCL - MIA (on LA) Stopover [although they just drive from MIA to Home near Orlando]
NAS - PLS (on BA) Stopover [and I am buying for them a $80 MCO - NAS ticket on Air Bahamas]
PLS - MIA - MCO (on AA)
Should I ask them to take another look at the taxes and fees? $400 seems steep, I was thinking more like $300 per ticket.
MCO - MIA - LIM (all AA) Stopover
LIM - SCL (on LA) Stopover
SCL - MDZ (on LA) Stopover
MDZ - SCL - MIA (on LA) Stopover [although they just drive from MIA to Home near Orlando]
NAS - PLS (on BA) Stopover [and I am buying for them a $80 MCO - NAS ticket on Air Bahamas]
PLS - MIA - MCO (on AA)
Should I ask them to take another look at the taxes and fees? $400 seems steep, I was thinking more like $300 per ticket.
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.00
Peru Int'l Arrival Tax (DY) $15.00
Peru Airport Departure Tax (HW) $30.74
Chile International Airport Facility Charge (ZQ) $13.10
Argentina Security Tax (TQ) $10.00
Argentina Immigration Tax (QO) $6.00
Argentina Airport Tax (XR) $16.48
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
Bahamas Passenger Processing Fee (PO) $6.00
Bahamas Airport Facility Fee (GJ) $29.50
Bahamas International Passenger Departure Tax (EA) $25.00
Bahamas Security Fee (GK) $7.00
Turks and Caicos Airport Development Charge (OZ) $20.00
Turks and Caicos Security Facility Maintenance Charge (GO) $5.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Govt Aerodromes Use Fee (TC) $3.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Aerodrome Security Charge (TC) $8.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Passenger Tax (TC) $29.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $2.50
TOTAL: $266.32
Dec 29, 2012, 7:43 pm
#891
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
It looks like there should be a 40$ yq for this segment..but that still leaves us 100$ short. I'll call to kill keeps
Originally Posted by guv1976:19939467
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Call back.
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.00
Peru Int'l Arrival Tax (DY) $15.00
Peru Airport Departure Tax (HW) $30.74
Chile International Airport Facility Charge (ZQ) $13.10
Argentina Security Tax (TQ) $10.00
Argentina Immigration Tax (QO) $6.00
Argentina Airport Tax (XR) $16.48
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
Bahamas Passenger Processing Fee (PO) $6.00
Bahamas Airport Facility Fee (GJ) $29.50
Bahamas International Passenger Departure Tax (EA) $25.00
Bahamas Security Fee (GK) $7.00
Turks and Caicos Airport Development Charge (OZ) $20.00
Turks and Caicos Security Facility Maintenance Charge (GO) $5.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Govt Aerodromes Use Fee (TC) $3.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Aerodrome Security Charge (TC) $8.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Passenger Tax (TC) $29.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $2.50
TOTAL: $266.32
Isn't there a YQ/YR on the BA segment from NAS to PLS? If there is, that should trigger some additional U.S. taxes/fees.
Originally Posted by Austinrunner
Just Booked 2x Business Class Awards for my in-laws for 90,000 AA each and $403 (OUCH) taxes & fees.
MCO - MIA - LIM (all AA) Stopover
LIM - SCL (on LA) Stopover
SCL - MDZ (on LA) Stopover
MDZ - SCL - MIA (on LA) Stopover [although they just drive from MIA to Home near Orlando]
NAS - PLS (on BA) Stopover [and I am buying for them a $80 MCO - NAS ticket on Air Bahamas]
PLS - MIA - MCO (on AA)
Should I ask them to take another look at the taxes and fees? $400 seems steep, I was thinking more like $300 per ticket.
MCO - MIA - LIM (all AA) Stopover
LIM - SCL (on LA) Stopover
SCL - MDZ (on LA) Stopover
MDZ - SCL - MIA (on LA) Stopover [although they just drive from MIA to Home near Orlando]
NAS - PLS (on BA) Stopover [and I am buying for them a $80 MCO - NAS ticket on Air Bahamas]
PLS - MIA - MCO (on AA)
Should I ask them to take another look at the taxes and fees? $400 seems steep, I was thinking more like $300 per ticket.
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.00
Peru Int'l Arrival Tax (DY) $15.00
Peru Airport Departure Tax (HW) $30.74
Chile International Airport Facility Charge (ZQ) $13.10
Argentina Security Tax (TQ) $10.00
Argentina Immigration Tax (QO) $6.00
Argentina Airport Tax (XR) $16.48
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
Bahamas Passenger Processing Fee (PO) $6.00
Bahamas Airport Facility Fee (GJ) $29.50
Bahamas International Passenger Departure Tax (EA) $25.00
Bahamas Security Fee (GK) $7.00
Turks and Caicos Airport Development Charge (OZ) $20.00
Turks and Caicos Security Facility Maintenance Charge (GO) $5.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Govt Aerodromes Use Fee (TC) $3.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Aerodrome Security Charge (TC) $8.00
Turks and Caicos Intl Passenger Tax (TC) $29.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $2.50
TOTAL: $266.32
Dec 29, 2012, 8:56 pm
#892
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,601
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
"It looks like there should be a 40$ yq for this segment..but that still leaves us 100$ short."
The $40 YQ/YR will convert the award from a "free" ticket to a paid ticket, and will trigger three U.S. International Arrival/Departure taxes (~ $50 total), plus some U.S. airport fees, I believe. Add to that AA's $25/person telephone-ticketing fee, and I think we're getting pretty close to $403.
"It looks like there should be a 40$ yq for this segment..but that still leaves us 100$ short."
The $40 YQ/YR will convert the award from a "free" ticket to a paid ticket, and will trigger three U.S. International Arrival/Departure taxes (~ $50 total), plus some U.S. airport fees, I believe. Add to that AA's $25/person telephone-ticketing fee, and I think we're getting pretty close to $403.
Dec 29, 2012, 11:33 pm
#893
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
Dec 30, 2012, 12:09 am
#894
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,601
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
And the $25 per passenger telephone-ticketing fee? That should bring the total up to ~ $382 per ticket. Still not $403, but getting close.
Originally Posted by Austinrunner
Dec 30, 2012, 5:57 am
#895
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: CLT
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,551
I called and they are right. With The yq came 50 and another 3 triggered which gets to 378.
Dec 30, 2012, 6:10 am
#896
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
The YQ is $40, not $50. What do you mean by "3 triggered"?
I don't know how one gets from $356.82 to $403. Unless you are given an itemization of the taxes (etc.), there's no way to resolve the discrepancy.
I don't know how one gets from $356.82 to $403. Unless you are given an itemization of the taxes (etc.), there's no way to resolve the discrepancy.
Dec 30, 2012, 9:09 am
#897
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Caracas
Programs: Former AA PLT/GLD, A3 *G, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,144
Guys what would you do with only 30k AA miles?
I am based in Caracas.
Edit: Wrong thread, thought i was in the AA awards instead. hehe. Oops
I am based in Caracas.
Edit: Wrong thread, thought i was in the AA awards instead. hehe. Oops
Last edited by mvtm; Dec 30, 2012 at 9:31 am
Dec 30, 2012, 9:29 am
#898
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,601
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Well, your question is in the wrong thread, since there are no "Explorer" awards starting in CCS that cost only 30,000 AA miles.
But you can get a roundtrip, off-peak MileSAAver Coach award on AA metal from CCS to Hawaii (or any place else in North America) for only 30,000 AA miles, with free stopovers in MIA, DFW, or NYC, if desired. That's a pretty good deal!
Originally Posted by mvtm
Guys what would you do with only 30k AA miles?
I am based in Caracas.
Edit: Wrong thread, thought i was in the AA awards instead. hehe. Oops
I am based in Caracas.
Edit: Wrong thread, thought i was in the AA awards instead. hehe. Oops
But you can get a roundtrip, off-peak MileSAAver Coach award on AA metal from CCS to Hawaii (or any place else in North America) for only 30,000 AA miles, with free stopovers in MIA, DFW, or NYC, if desired. That's a pretty good deal!
Dec 30, 2012, 9:36 am
#899
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Caracas
Programs: Former AA PLT/GLD, A3 *G, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,144
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
Well, your question is in the wrong thread, since there are no "Explorer" awards starting in CCS that cost only 30,000 AA miles.
But you can get a roundtrip, off-peak MileSAAver Coach award on AA metal from CCS to Hawaii (or any place else in North America) for only 30,000 AA miles, with free stopovers in MIA, DFW, or NYC, if desired. That's a pretty good deal!
Well, your question is in the wrong thread, since there are no "Explorer" awards starting in CCS that cost only 30,000 AA miles.
But you can get a roundtrip, off-peak MileSAAver Coach award on AA metal from CCS to Hawaii (or any place else in North America) for only 30,000 AA miles, with free stopovers in MIA, DFW, or NYC, if desired. That's a pretty good deal!
Sorry guv i just saw it....
Going to post in the proper thread. About that i already did the Hawaii with stop overs in MIA,DFW and JFK this year. Alaska maybe?
Well, we'll discuss it in the right thread. Thanks
Dec 30, 2012, 9:50 am
#900
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORD
Posts: 1,845
AA CS told me if we go the the airport the agents can print out an itemized list of all the taxes for our Oneworld Explorer AAward.
Is this true?
Thanks.
Another agent called ORD and they said, "No".
She did get and give the total taxes for the above posted itinerary.
$289.67
40. YQ BA Passenger Charge
33.4 US US Arrive Tax
5.5 UC US Customs
7 XY US Federal Inspection Fee
5 XA US Agricultural Fee
2.5 AY US Departure Tax
24 SW Japan Departure Tax
5.9 OI Japan Security Tax
22.9 TS Thailand Passenger Service Tax
3.65 OW India Passenger Tax
39.22 IN India User Development Fee
26.6 YM Development Fee India
6.4 KJ Jordon civil Aviation Fee
15 TR Turkey Service Charge
48.1 UB UK International Departure Tax
4.5 XF ORD Passenger Facility Tax
India and UK hit hard with the taxes.
Is there a way to enter a 10 segment itinerary at ITA and get the taxes that way?
I've never been able to figure out why on ITA the results have more taxes than AA? There are extra Japan fuel charges and others.
Is this true?
Thanks.
Another agent called ORD and they said, "No".
She did get and give the total taxes for the above posted itinerary.
$289.67
40. YQ BA Passenger Charge
33.4 US US Arrive Tax
5.5 UC US Customs
7 XY US Federal Inspection Fee
5 XA US Agricultural Fee
2.5 AY US Departure Tax
24 SW Japan Departure Tax
5.9 OI Japan Security Tax
22.9 TS Thailand Passenger Service Tax
3.65 OW India Passenger Tax
39.22 IN India User Development Fee
26.6 YM Development Fee India
6.4 KJ Jordon civil Aviation Fee
15 TR Turkey Service Charge
48.1 UB UK International Departure Tax
4.5 XF ORD Passenger Facility Tax
India and UK hit hard with the taxes.
Is there a way to enter a 10 segment itinerary at ITA and get the taxes that way?
I've never been able to figure out why on ITA the results have more taxes than AA? There are extra Japan fuel charges and others.
Last edited by zznoname; Dec 30, 2012 at 10:45 am