Hmm. Two things will apply:

1. Is there discounted business inventory on that flight?

2. Does the fare rule for that discounted biz allow combination with the coach return?

3. Does the coach return allow combination with the discounted biz?

Domestic fares have tended to be less complex, so maybe it wont have these dependencies...

Also, are you 'ticketed in Y' (doubtful, as in 'in Y class and fare basis') or 'ticketed in coach'. I know Y has become a shorthand for anything in coach- just like F is anything in First. ;)

Thanks - first, yes using "Y" as shorthand for coach - actual fare booking code is G.

1 - yes inventory is available (I)
2 - I was trying to figure this out by doing a dummy booking of a mixed cabin itinerary but can't find any site that allows you to do this. I did look at the fare rules and it does look like fares can be combined on a half round-trip basis to form single open jaws and circle trips (makes no mention of cabin differences). The fare requires a Sat stay but I will be fulfilling that.
3 - return fare rules should not be an issue, can stand alone even as a one-way.

So seems like I should be able to upfare at the lower rate unless I'm missing something.

Well, call them.


I usually just have my agent do it...he can set up up, run options, play with fares etc, price it, and then call AA to rebook. ;)

Pay to upgrade to First?
 

I am currently in a non-refundable Economy ticket and want to upgrade to First Class (non-refundable). Can I call AA and do this? I am AA Lifetime Gold.

You should be able to call and upgrade for the fare difference with no change fee.

Yep. Regardless of the status, AA will let you pay the difference between Y and F without adding the change fee. However, some new agents don't know this and the OP may need to request a supervisor or hang up and try another agent.

Except I am not in a Y fare. I am in a Q.

You will still be allowed to have your ticket reissued for a first class fare and be subject only to the fare difference, not the change fee. Applies to just about all Y, H, K, M, L, W, V, G, S, N, Q, and O fares.

Yesterday I upgraded AKL-OMA from Q fare to I and A and they charged me $36 per ticket plus the fare difference of $2300 per ticket, should I call back and ask about the $72?

No. U were international. The up cabin/up fare to F is for "domestic" (and Canada. And Caribbean)

$36 doesn't sound like a change fee - more likely caused by recalculation of taxes, in which case you were charged correctly.

Are you sure about that? I've never been charged a change fee for upfaring my long haul flights. I can't imagine why they would do it, either.

Was kinda wondering about this myself, as I never saw that restriction before:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/541310...n/photostream/

I think you are correct, she quoted me 50 NZD per ticket. This sounds like higher taxes rather than a change fee.

Could it have been a phone booking fee, perhaps?