exp desk: is it ok to ask for advice on vip usage?
Dec 15, 2006, 7:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: alexandria, va
Programs: aa exp, 4.4mm; hh diamond
Posts: 166
exp desk: is it ok to ask for advice on vip usage?
I've got 2 vip's that expire on 2/28/07. Is it appropriate to ask the exp desk to suggest trips between now and then that would let me burn these? The trips I've tried to book have been C=0 on EF. I'm flexible as to dates, and don't really care where I go (as long as I don't need to buy a visa).
Dec 15, 2006, 7:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: AA; Marriott; SPG; HH
Posts: 3,473
I've got 2 vip's that expire on 2/28/07. Is it appropriate to ask the exp desk to suggest trips between now and then that would let me burn these? The trips I've tried to book have been C=0 on EF. I'm flexible as to dates, and don't really care where I go (as long as I don't need to buy a visa).
Dec 15, 2006, 7:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Plano, Texas USA
Programs: AA EXP, 8 MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,893
I've got 2 vip's that expire on 2/28/07. Is it appropriate to ask the exp desk to suggest trips between now and then that would let me burn these? The trips I've tried to book have been C=0 on EF. I'm flexible as to dates, and don't really care where I go (as long as I don't need to buy a visa).
Dec 15, 2006, 8:07 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: alexandria, va
Programs: aa exp, 4.4mm; hh diamond
Posts: 166
Dec 15, 2006, 8:46 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Some agents will be more willing than others to help with such a broad search. But it would help if you had a few destinations in mind, at least to get things started.
Dec 15, 2006, 8:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: Skyteam, Starwood, DMV Point Program
Posts: 80
I've tried something similar, a few times. My advice is just to call, and if the person on the other end obviously isn't interested in what you're doing, thank them for their time, hang up, and call back. There are a good number of folks on the other end who understand the thrill of finding some place new and interesting, and it's worth trying to find them.
Dec 15, 2006, 9:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Marriott Titanium
Posts: 2,861
Defintely ask for advice...
AND realize that there is sometimes availability that EF does NOT show (at least if an EXP is on the reservation). Theis happened again to me last week when EF showed zeros, but I was able to get 2 both ways agross the Atlantic.
AND realize that there is sometimes availability that EF does NOT show (at least if an EXP is on the reservation). Theis happened again to me last week when EF showed zeros, but I was able to get 2 both ways agross the Atlantic.
Dec 16, 2006, 4:34 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: MSP (and will only fly NWA in re-routes if I HAVE to)
Programs: AA EXP (4.5MM), hotel programs as needed
Posts: 5,800
As I recall, PVG and DEL require visas for US citizens. I also understand Brazil (GIG and GRU) also require visas but the turnaround time on getting them is a bit easier.
SCL lets you buy one when you arrive ($100).
There may be more .. but this is the 'list' I am aware of in cities AA serves.
Dec 16, 2006, 7:47 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,607
SCL doesn't sell visas on arrival - they charge you a reciprocity fee to make up for the fee you charge Chileans to refuse to grant them a visa (most times). It is valid for the life of the passport. The "visa" such that it is, is a tourist card given out on the plane and it is free. Brasil are same day if you have a consulate where you live, just a tax grab, not any sort of real screening.
Dec 16, 2006, 8:56 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Miami
Programs: AA EXP, National Exec
Posts: 369
I just signed up for EF specifically to find ways to use my eVIPs. I have already encountered C0 on some flights I wanted to take.
Dec 16, 2006, 9:20 am
#12
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Always on vacation
Programs: aa exp - spg gold - Hyatt Diamond - HH Gold
Posts: 6,007
Dec 16, 2006, 9:32 am
#13
Join Date: May 2002
Location: SNA
Programs: STARS/LUMINOUS, PRIVE, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club
Posts: 2,612
You can get a visa to India within a day as well if you go in person to a consulate. Worst case scenario it may take a week. Again, there is really no major screening for US Citizens (not of Pakistani descent) and it is just a resiprocity fee.
Dec 16, 2006, 10:17 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Cheers.
Dec 16, 2006, 11:06 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411