Dr. HFH

2009 Update: I'm currently in BKK, and needed to talk to AA about my rezzy. I didn't want the local number which would be answered in who-knows-where, I wanted a direct US number. Looked around both AA.com and FT (which is how I found this thread). Found nothing particularly helpful or which worked. The back of my EXP card has only an 800 number for the U.S., no local DFW area number.

Eventually, I just dialed +1-800-xxx-xxxx, the regular 800 number on the back of my EXP card, the same way I dial regular, non-800 numbers from abroad. Voila!!! I was connected with the EXP desk, just as if I were in the U.S.

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MODERATOR'S NOTE

There are several ways to contact AA's U.S. numbers by telephone from outside the U.S. & Canada:

1) Those with Skype or other internet phone providers may be able to dial various AA 800 numbers directly toll free. Direct dialing an 800 number from a landline or mobile phone overseas may or may not work, and will not be toll free.

2) Use AT&T World Traveler Service to access AA 800 numbers from overseas. Long distance charges will apply and can be paid using an AT&T Calling Card, AT&T Prepaid Phone Card, credit card, or via collect call. AAdvantage elite customers (GLD, PLT, EXP) can dial their elite 800 number using this service and AT&T's systems will recognize these numbers and put the call through without asking for a payment method.

3) Call the AMR Headquarters number at 1-817-963-1234 from any telephone. Either an operator or the IVR system can then connect you with the appropriate department.

In addition, AA provides local numbers in many countries here: Worldwide Reservations Phone Numbers

See also the AA Wiki for additional information: Contacting American Airlines

This thread was extracted from an outdated 2002 thread, and merged with recent posts on this topic.

dstan
AA Forum Co-Moderator

dayone

How did you place the call (e.g., local country landline, mobile, phone card or USADirect) and was the call toll or toll-free?

ESpen36

Best way (and AA sanctioned) to reach your elite hotline from overseas:

http://www.aa.com/attassist



Or, just use Skype if you are in a place with WiFi.

Brendan

When I was in Bangkok in 2004, I used a phone card from a pay phone to try to call AA, but the buttons were not understood by AA's recorded-voice system. So I went to a drugstore which offered overseas calling for 20--30 baht per minute from their private phone. The lady said she got a recording saying, 'This call can't be called from Thailand,' but in English it said, 'This call is not free. You must pay normal price to USA.' So she gave me the phone.

hillrider

I am in Italy several times per year and can confirm that US toll-free #, specifically AA's, are dialable from a phone (but you have to listen in to a recording telling you have to pay normal international rates for them, i.e. they're not toll-free from Italy) and are also reachable through AT&T's World Traveler Service, at 800 172 444. I've never dialed them direct from cellphone, but I don't see why they wouldn't work since they're dialable from a landline.

SDF_Traveler

I'm late to the thread, but I've done this a couple times in the past:

Call AA's corporate HQ (their # is buried on the website)

You will be given an option for reservations prior to be being connected to the switchboard. Reservations can also xfer you to AAdvantage.

These days, I just direct dial via VoIP server / Asterisk server with X-Lite via laptop.

pauleeepaul

And thereby avoiding a notation on your permanent record.

IncaFlyer

Just want to give a big ^ to this method. SkypeOut offers free calls to 1-800 numbers from anywhere in the world, even if you do not have credit in your account!

ldpeters

^ ^ ^

This is what I do while traveling. Works like an absolute charm for all US-based customer service 800 numbers.

bdemaria

You can reach the AA #s from Italy using an Italian cell phone - you get the same recording, but the call goes through

ajnaro

All you need do is: dial the local toll-free access number for AT&T and then enter 1-800-843-6200. The call goes through without charge -- no need to enter a credit card or calling card number. The rub is that in some countries the AT&T access number will not work from a cell phone, in others it will not work from a public phone, or both.

Argen_Tina

post moved

aktchi

From AA.com:

"Outside the U.S. and Canada please visit our Worldwide Reservations Phone Numbers page to contact the AAdvantage Customer Service representative in your area.
[Argentina: Buenos Aires 4318-1111 / 1110,
Outside Buenos Aires 011-4318-1111 / 1110]

"From outside the U.S. and Canada you may also call 1-817-799-2500
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (CT) Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (CT) Saturday
10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (CT) Sunday"

The 817 number should certainly work, but if you don't feel like paying, first try emailing the CS from the page http://www.aa.com/aa/contactAA/viewA...eFormAccess.do

Good luck.

ajnaro

The 817 number seems to do through directly to Customer Service, not AAdvantage Reservations, as stated.

Dr. HFH

Used my cell phone, AT&T US service. Just turned it on, and it connected to THAI GSM. I can hardly wait to see what it cost, though. I'm not expecting free, by any means.