Aug 22, 2015, 6:34 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AA: $75 Expedite Ticketing Fee for awards ticketed within 21 days of travel
(Does not apply to AAdvantage elite status holders)
(Does not apply to AAdvantage elite status holders)
American Airlines charges a $75 "expedite (ticketing) fee" for awards that are less than 21 days from booking (waived for AAdvantage elite members using miles from their own account - but it may vary for awards for others; some report being charged, others not).
There used to be a workaround "loophole"- book for over 21 days out, then change to a closer date. This loophole was closed February 16, 2012, and there is no known way of avoiding this fee for those required to pay it.
AAdvantage Award Processing Charges
Ticketing less than 21 days prior to departure $75
(Waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® and
AAdvantage Gold® (and Platinum Pro, Concierge Key EP) members using miles from their account)
Ticketing less than 21 days prior to departure $75
(Waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® and
AAdvantage Gold® (and Platinum Pro, Concierge Key EP) members using miles from their account)
See aa.com awards booking page (as of 22 Mar 2016)here.
AA award $75 expedite / close-in processing fee (master thd)
Feb 17, 2012, 10:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Toronto
Programs: AA Platinium, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 30
AA award $75 expedite / close-in processing fee (master thd)
American informed me that for non-elite members making any change to an ticketed award less than 21 days will result in 75 fee. This came in effect on Feb 16.
We had booked an award travel using my partmer's (non-elite) account and when we wanted to leave earler to new york (stop over) on the way to brazil they informed me of the new charges. Since this change was recent AND I had asked the agent at the time of booking if we could change the ticket (no change destination pairs) they waived the fee.
But again American is not finding new ways to raise revenue. Yes I am an elite member but the sands are changing fast within American and now strategy is to find ways of new revenue.
I am tempted to find ways of not flying AA and see if there will be any status match for top elite members.
We had booked an award travel using my partmer's (non-elite) account and when we wanted to leave earler to new york (stop over) on the way to brazil they informed me of the new charges. Since this change was recent AND I had asked the agent at the time of booking if we could change the ticket (no change destination pairs) they waived the fee.
But again American is not finding new ways to raise revenue. Yes I am an elite member but the sands are changing fast within American and now strategy is to find ways of new revenue.
I am tempted to find ways of not flying AA and see if there will be any status match for top elite members.
Last edited by JDiver; Jul 2, 2014 at 9:15 am Reason: move mod note to create wikipost
Feb 17, 2012, 10:42 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Toronto
Programs: AA Platinium, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 30
AA: $75 for <21 days ticketed award travel (close change loophole closed)
American informed me that for non-elite members making any change to an ticketed award less than 21 days will result in 75 fee. This came in effect on Feb 16.
We had booked an award travel using my partmer's (non-elite) account and when we wanted to leave earler to new york (stop over) on the way to brazil they informed me of the new charges. Since this change was recent AND I had asked the agent at the time of booking if we could change the ticket (no change destination pairs) they waived the fee.
But again American is not finding new ways to raise revenue. Yes I am an elite member but the sands are changing fast within American and now strategy is to find ways of new revenue.
I am tempted to find ways of not flying AA and see if there will be any status match for top elite members.
We had booked an award travel using my partmer's (non-elite) account and when we wanted to leave earler to new york (stop over) on the way to brazil they informed me of the new charges. Since this change was recent AND I had asked the agent at the time of booking if we could change the ticket (no change destination pairs) they waived the fee.
But again American is not finding new ways to raise revenue. Yes I am an elite member but the sands are changing fast within American and now strategy is to find ways of new revenue.
I am tempted to find ways of not flying AA and see if there will be any status match for top elite members.
Feb 17, 2012, 10:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bay Area
Programs: WN A-List, AA good-riddance, Safeway Club Card Extraordinaire
Posts: 3,851
Feb 17, 2012, 11:00 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
There is a fee for booking less than 21 days out, so it makes sense to have a fee for changes within that same time period.
There is a way to avoid it. Use miles from the EXP account or fly Southwest.
Of course, on Southwest, closer to travel date, you will probably have to endure an increase in the number of points required.
I don't see how you getting a status match on UA, for example, for affect awards from the non elite's account.
There is a way to avoid it. Use miles from the EXP account or fly Southwest.
Of course, on Southwest, closer to travel date, you will probably have to endure an increase in the number of points required.
I don't see how you getting a status match on UA, for example, for affect awards from the non elite's account.
Feb 17, 2012, 11:18 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
Delta - $150 (all changes)
United - $75 for changes <21 days out. For other change fees, see the complicated chart.
US Airways - $75
United - $75 for changes <21 days out. For other change fees, see the complicated chart.
US Airways - $75
Feb 17, 2012, 11:46 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
It has been pretty well known here that this change was coming. Posted here December 16, info originally from TB. There has been a loophole that if you wanted to book within 21 days but not pay the fee, you could book for more than 21 days out, then change the dates for free to be inside 21 days. This just closes that loophole. Of course, it also catches anybody who booked well before 21 days and wants to change dates. Blame your fellow FT members for pointing out the loophole to anybody who asked. FT members have abused this for a long time, now it is no more.
Last edited by gemac; Feb 18, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Feb 18, 2012, 12:34 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,738
This is just a move to close the loophole for those who booked a trip outside the 21 days window and then changed the travel dates to within 21 days window to avoid the close in fee. And as germac points out, such loophole is being advertised on FT for so long that it finally brings the closure.
The close in fee is charged by virtually all US legacy airlines at $75 or more. You can, of course, choose to use BA miles which do not have close in fee but charge a hefty fuel surcharge on award tickets.
The close in fee is charged by virtually all US legacy airlines at $75 or more. You can, of course, choose to use BA miles which do not have close in fee but charge a hefty fuel surcharge on award tickets.
Feb 18, 2012, 2:51 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Posts: 1,791
I can't figure out when and why AA charges some ticketing fees. Last week, the internet was down and I wanted to cash miles for my kids and grandkids to go to Europe this summer. Had to pay Anytime rates. Even though I'm EXP and my kids and grandkids have the same last name, they socked me $25 per ticket. If it helps them stay alive, I guess OK. I felt captive to something I couldn't change, though. I don't think they should charge fees if their website isn't working. Now if they so much as change a flight I guess they'll sock another $75 per ticket.
Feb 18, 2012, 3:36 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I can't figure out when and why AA charges some ticketing fees. Last week, the internet was down and I wanted to cash miles for my kids and grandkids to go to Europe this summer. Had to pay Anytime rates. Even though I'm EXP and my kids and grandkids have the same last name, they socked me $25 per ticket. If it helps them stay alive, I guess OK. I felt captive to something I couldn't change, though. I don't think they should charge fees if their website isn't working. Now if they so much as change a flight I guess they'll sock another $75 per ticket.
Aanytime or not, the phone fee applies
Since only AAnytime was available, you might have saved money just waiting to get access to the website, instead of booking by phone.
Feb 18, 2012, 4:32 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,742
Well, the "why" is easy enough. They're going through bankruptcy and need to raise every cent they can. Personally, I'm happy to pay some fees if it will assist in AA's survival. AAdvantage is a great program; international awards are very cheap; and OW has some very good members.
Feb 18, 2012, 4:39 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
That's very harsh. The entire purpose of this forum is to exchange information. And FYI, AA is not so stupid as to have learned about this loophole only after people posted about it here.
Last edited by dstan; Feb 20, 2012 at 6:40 pm Reason: unnecessary personal comment redacted by moderator
Feb 18, 2012, 5:22 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
To the OP: Unless you're a CO Platinum (future UA Platinum) or UA 1K, you'll pay a change fee. (I'm less familiar with DL, but honestly, Skypesos?)
Last edited by dstan; Feb 20, 2012 at 6:40 pm Reason: removed redacted material from quote
Feb 18, 2012, 6:35 am
#13
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Posts: 102,095
This is just a move to close the loophole for those who booked a trip outside the 21 days window and then changed the travel dates to within 21 days window to avoid the close in fee. And as germac points out, such loophole is being advertised on FT for so long that it finally brings the closure.
The close in fee is charged by virtually all US legacy airlines at $75 or more. You can, of course, choose to use BA miles which do not have close in fee but charge a hefty fuel surcharge on award tickets.
The close in fee is charged by virtually all US legacy airlines at $75 or more. You can, of course, choose to use BA miles which do not have close in fee but charge a hefty fuel surcharge on award tickets.
If this just closes that loophole while not (yet?) further restricting free changes, then that would be AA leaving money on the table given what AA's US competitors do in the main. How nice of AA.
Last edited by GUWonder; Feb 18, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Feb 18, 2012, 8:06 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 2,863
American informed me that for non-elite members making any change to an ticketed award less than 21 days will result in 75 fee. This came in effect on Feb 16.
We had booked an award travel using my partmer's (non-elite) account and when we wanted to leave earler to new york (stop over) on the way to brazil they informed me of the new charges. Since this change was recent AND I had asked the agent at the time of booking if we could change the ticket (no change destination pairs) they waived the fee.
But again American is not finding new ways to raise revenue. Yes I am an elite member but the sands are changing fast within American and now strategy is to find ways of new revenue.
I am tempted to find ways of not flying AA and see if there will be any status match for top elite members.
We had booked an award travel using my partmer's (non-elite) account and when we wanted to leave earler to new york (stop over) on the way to brazil they informed me of the new charges. Since this change was recent AND I had asked the agent at the time of booking if we could change the ticket (no change destination pairs) they waived the fee.
But again American is not finding new ways to raise revenue. Yes I am an elite member but the sands are changing fast within American and now strategy is to find ways of new revenue.
I am tempted to find ways of not flying AA and see if there will be any status match for top elite members.
Feb 18, 2012, 8:07 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,517
Now wait a second.
The loophole allowed you to bypass the fee when the new travel date was within 21 days of the ticketing date.
The new rule here, as described (we haven't seen the formal language), would charge the fee when the new travel date was within 21 days of the change date.
That's a big difference. I'll bet it's pretty common for someone to book an award months in advance, then decide at the last minute to leave a day early or return a day later; probably much more common than the loophole-evaders.
The loophole allowed you to bypass the fee when the new travel date was within 21 days of the ticketing date.
The new rule here, as described (we haven't seen the formal language), would charge the fee when the new travel date was within 21 days of the change date.
That's a big difference. I'll bet it's pretty common for someone to book an award months in advance, then decide at the last minute to leave a day early or return a day later; probably much more common than the loophole-evaders.
