Feb 19, 2016, 2:01 pm
Last edit by: thorofare
AA Vacations / aavacations.com Flight and Ground Packages
Trust American Airlines to offer you the perfect package at the best price, guaranteed! When you choose to bundle your travel components into one package price we can offer you an unbeatable value by combining our unpublished low rates on flights with specially negotiated rates on hotels, activities and transportation. So, whether you're looking for a quick flight plus hotel weekend getaway or an all-inclusive package complete with flight, hotel, ground transportation and tickets to local attractions, you can rest easy knowing the entire trip is covered by our Lowest Price Guarantee.
FAQ
Q. Do these earn AAEQM Loyalty Points, Award Miles (RDM) and EQD (EQ Dollars in 2017)?
These generally book into discount paid fare buckets, so "Yes" at this time. There are a few promotional offers that do not earnEQM Loyalty Points; these will clearly say so, so read thoroughly. See:
Special fares: Earning Award Miles and Loyalty Points on aa.com (link)
Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, oneworld, partners 2016
and this for the changes affecting Award Miles coming in the latter part of 2016.
Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners later 2016
Q. Can I upgrade these with AA upgrade instruments (e500 "stickers", miles and copay, SWU)? NOTE: As of July 2022, AA no longer issues 500-mile upgrade certificates ("stickers"). Auto-requested complimentary upgrades are now available to all elite status members and one traveling companion. See details at aa.com
Yes. These follow the standard AA upgrade rules.
Q. Can I use AAadvantage Award Miles to "pay" for a vacation?
(Change late 2019) Yes. You can "pay" with money (cards, etc.), AAdvantage miles or a combination of both. Miles may be used to pay for any portion of the vacation package up, and including, all of it. At this time there is no way to distinguish the breakpoint between the land portion and the air portion of the package, except by calling. And even this is a mixed bag.
Q. If I use AAdvantage Aware Miles to pay for part of my vacation, does this impact upgrades or EQM/RDM for the flights?(RDM)?
(Change 2020) AA Vacations agents are confident that using miles will have no impact on EQM/EQD/RDM as the miles are converted to "cash" to pay for the trip, so the AA system sees these as cash paid. This is supposed to apply no matter how much of the trip is paid with miles. Experiences reported here using part miles indicate that all posts as expected in these cases..
Q. So, what kinds of fares are ineligible for earning AA miles?
"Exceptions (aa.com)
Q. What aboutEQM Loyalty Points and Award ("Redeemable") Miles earning later in 2016 after 1 January 2022?
AA has specified a set of "Special Fares", which includes select AA Vacations (where there is a * next to the booking code when looking at the flight details).
Note that the Special Fares page also says, "AAdvantage elite member bonuses will be applied in addition to the percentages shown for award miles."
Q. What fare classes do First and Business packages book into?
Typically A for international First, A, R or P domestic F, and I or D international Business.
Q. What if I'm flying on a flight on a partner airline?
AA Vacations most often books into AA "code shares" / AA marketed flights. In that case, you'll earn miles as if flying on American. If it doesn't, you'll earn per the agreement AA has with the partner airline. Start here to look them up.
Q. What advance purchase restrictions are imposed?
Most advance purchase, minimum stay, etc. normally imposed by the airline don't apply; the restrictions are those imposed by AA Vacations. (Detailed Fare Rules for your fare generally do apply, however.)
Q. Are the trips or fares refundable?
Generally not fully refundable. Hotels and ground activities are generally not at all, and air will depend on the fare bucket and detailed rules. AA vacations does offer protection, but hotels etc. may not be included.
"There are two types of protection available: We offer the Cancellation and Change Waiver (Pre-Departure Protection) which allows you to cancel and/or change either the land or air portion of their package without penalty. Trip Protector (Post-Departure protection) from Allianz Global Assistance can provide protection for your trip expenses, your health and your belongings."
A waiver is usually $129 for international travel and $69 for domestic travel. This can also be paid with miles.
Q. What is the shortest time I can book an air-hotel package for?
It appears three nights is the shortest period allowed by aavacations, unless the total duration of the trip is less than three days, then it is length of trip. However, those three nights do not need to be at a single property.
Q. Can I book a ten day package with only three days of prepaid hotel?
Sure. You'll have to call to do so, however.
You can change the dates of the hotel to be different from those of the flights in the "More Search Options" section of the search. You can also book multiple rooms here too, specifying the number of guests per room.I don't think you can book hotel to be in a different city though. A hotel in a different city (or continent, even) can be booked, but must be done over the phone.
Q. Is only one hotel offered?
No. A variety of properties is generally offered, but this will of course affect pricing.
Q. Does the hotel have to be in the destination city?
No. You can book a property in another city if it's offered by AA Vacations.
Q. What happens if I don't use the ground part (hotel, car, etc.)? Will they cancel my return flights?
Nothing. You can use it or forget it. No flight cancellations ensue. See AA Vacations - not checking in at Hotel Some purposely book the cheapest pricing for their trip knowing they're choosing a "throwaway hotel" they won't use.
Though one AA Vacations agent actually said "always book with us and just book the cheapest hotel for 3 days and throw it away", don't you say it's your intent.
Q. Will AA Vacations cause problems for me?
If you disclose your intent to AA Vacations to "throw away" (not stay at) the hotel, they can not sell you the package. So, don't.
Q. Will the hotel cause problems for me?
Not likely; they're paid for a prepaid stay whether you stay or not, as they get to keep the money and have "your" room to sell.
Q. Will I earn points at the hotel? Will they recognize my status?
Many chains don't recognize third party bookings for points or stay credit, but will usually recognize your status. Properties will treat as prepaid booking.
Q. Are there ever deals or promos?
Indeed. There are often sales and promotions; look for them on the site.
Q. What if I want to book open jaw or customize?
Calling can do that. There's a $39 call fee, unless it's not able to be booked online. Others have said you can generally calculate the price of an open jaw itinerary by adding half the price of pricing for vacations to the arrival and departure cities and adding those.
Q. Can I put these on "hold" while I think about it since these include air fare?
No. But: Refund of Air Ticket Portion Within 24 Hours of Purchase
Within 24 hours of booking, you are allowed to cancel your refundable or non-refundable air ticket for a full refund (and no change fees and/or difference in fare) subject to the following rules:
Q. My AAdvantage credit card earns double Award ("Redeemable") Miles on AA purchases. Will AA Vacations purchases earn 2x miles?
No. What transactions are eligible to earn double AAdvantage® miles?
Eligible American Airlines purchases are items billed by American Airlines as the merchant of record booked through American Airlines channels (aa.com, American Airlines Reservations, American Airlines airport, in-flight and city ticket counters). American Airlines tickets purchased through other channels or that are a component of any other cruise or tour package do not earn the additional mile purchase bonuses. Products or services that do not qualify for the additional bonus miles include car rentals, hotel reservations, American Airlines Vacations packages, purchases of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, duty free purchases and or AA Cargo℠
Q. Do these earn AA
These generally book into discount paid fare buckets, so "Yes" at this time. There are a few promotional offers that do not earn
Special fares: Earning Award Miles and Loyalty Points on aa.com (link)
and this for the changes affecting Award Miles coming in the latter part of 2016.
Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners later 2016
Q. Can I upgrade these with AA upgrade instruments (
Yes. These follow the standard AA upgrade rules.
Q. Can I use AAadvantage Award Miles to "pay" for a vacation?
(Change late 2019) Yes. You can "pay" with money (cards, etc.), AAdvantage miles or a combination of both. Miles may be used to pay for any portion of the vacation package up, and including, all of it. At this time there is no way to distinguish the breakpoint between the land portion and the air portion of the package, except by calling. And even this is a mixed bag.
Q. If I use AAdvantage Aware Miles to pay for part of my vacation, does this impact upgrades or EQM/RDM for the flights?(RDM)?
(Change 2020) AA Vacations agents are confident that using miles will have no impact on EQM/EQD/RDM as the miles are converted to "cash" to pay for the trip, so the AA system sees these as cash paid. This is supposed to apply no matter how much of the trip is paid with miles. Experiences reported here using part miles indicate that all posts as expected in these cases..
Q. So, what kinds of fares are ineligible for earning AA miles?
"Exceptions (aa.com)
There are certain airline ticket types that are not eligible for mileage accrual regardless of the booking class. These include, without limitation, the following:
Q Are there any types of tickets that won’t earn award miles?
Yes, tickets that currently do not earn award miles, elite-qualifying miles or elite-qualifying segments will not earn award miles in the future. This includes:
Q Are there any types of tickets that won’t earn award miles?
Yes, tickets that currently do not earn award miles, elite-qualifying miles or elite-qualifying segments will not earn award miles in the future. This includes:
- All tickets issued as AAdvantage awards
- Other free ticket promotions including free or reduced rate tickets
- Companion tickets
- Charter flight tickets
- Travel agency/industry reduced rate tickets
- Infant tickets
- Extra seats or items occupying a purchased seat
- Unpublished fare tickets, including consolidator fares
- Tickets issued subject to special provisions
Q. What about
AA has specified a set of "Special Fares", which includes select AA Vacations (where there is a * next to the booking code when looking at the flight details).
Some fares (such as bulk or consolidator fares) earn award miles and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) Loyalty Points (LPs) at a modified rate based on a percentage of the distance flown as determined by the booking code.
Special fares are often purchased through a specialized agent, third party or as part of a package including air transportation and lodging.
Examples:
Special fares are often purchased through a specialized agent, third party or as part of a package including air transportation and lodging.
Examples:
- Bulk fares
- Cruise fares
- Consolidator fares
- Discounted or inclusive tour packages
- Vacation packages, including select American Airlines Vacations® packages. For Vacations, special fares are marked with an asterisk (*) after the booking code in the AAVacations.com booking path,
- Other tickets where the fare isn't disclosed, excluding bookings made through priceline.com or hotwire.com where the carrier isn't disclosed before buying
Q. What fare classes do First and Business packages book into?
Typically A for international First, A, R or P domestic F, and I or D international Business.
Q. What if I'm flying on a flight on a partner airline?
AA Vacations most often books into AA "code shares" / AA marketed flights. In that case, you'll earn miles as if flying on American. If it doesn't, you'll earn per the agreement AA has with the partner airline. Start here to look them up.
Q. What advance purchase restrictions are imposed?
Most advance purchase, minimum stay, etc. normally imposed by the airline don't apply; the restrictions are those imposed by AA Vacations. (Detailed Fare Rules for your fare generally do apply, however.)
Q. Are the trips or fares refundable?
Generally not fully refundable. Hotels and ground activities are generally not at all, and air will depend on the fare bucket and detailed rules. AA vacations does offer protection, but hotels etc. may not be included.
"There are two types of protection available: We offer the Cancellation and Change Waiver (Pre-Departure Protection) which allows you to cancel and/or change either the land or air portion of their package without penalty. Trip Protector (Post-Departure protection) from Allianz Global Assistance can provide protection for your trip expenses, your health and your belongings."
A waiver is usually $129 for international travel and $69 for domestic travel. This can also be paid with miles.
Q. What is the shortest time I can book an air-hotel package for?
It appears three nights is the shortest period allowed by aavacations, unless the total duration of the trip is less than three days, then it is length of trip. However, those three nights do not need to be at a single property.
Q. Can I book a ten day package with only three days of prepaid hotel?
You can change the dates of the hotel to be different from those of the flights in the "More Search Options" section of the search. You can also book multiple rooms here too, specifying the number of guests per room.
Q. Is only one hotel offered?
No. A variety of properties is generally offered, but this will of course affect pricing.
Q. Does the hotel have to be in the destination city?
No. You can book a property in another city if it's offered by AA Vacations.
Q. What happens if I don't use the ground part (hotel, car, etc.)? Will they cancel my return flights?
Nothing. You can use it or forget it. No flight cancellations ensue. See AA Vacations - not checking in at Hotel Some purposely book the cheapest pricing for their trip knowing they're choosing a "throwaway hotel" they won't use.
Though one AA Vacations agent actually said "always book with us and just book the cheapest hotel for 3 days and throw it away", don't you say it's your intent.
Q. Will AA Vacations cause problems for me?
If you disclose your intent to AA Vacations to "throw away" (not stay at) the hotel, they can not sell you the package. So, don't.
Q. Will the hotel cause problems for me?
Not likely; they're paid for a prepaid stay whether you stay or not, as they get to keep the money and have "your" room to sell.
Q. Will I earn points at the hotel? Will they recognize my status?
Many chains don't recognize third party bookings for points or stay credit, but will usually recognize your status. Properties will treat as prepaid booking.
Q. Are there ever deals or promos?
Indeed. There are often sales and promotions; look for them on the site.
Q. What if I want to book open jaw or customize?
Calling can do that. There's a $39 call fee, unless it's not able to be booked online. Others have said you can generally calculate the price of an open jaw itinerary by adding half the price of pricing for vacations to the arrival and departure cities and adding those.
Q. Can I put these on "hold" while I think about it since these include air fare?
No. But: Refund of Air Ticket Portion Within 24 Hours of Purchase
Within 24 hours of booking, you are allowed to cancel your refundable or non-refundable air ticket for a full refund (and no change fees and/or difference in fare) subject to the following rules:
- You must call 800-321-2121 within 24 hours of purchase to cancel the air ticket reservation and request a refund of the air ticket.
- The reservation must have been booked at least 7 days before scheduled departure.
- This policy does not apply to hotel or other non-air portions of the package. Standard cancellation policies will apply to all non-air components of the package.
- Refunds are only issued for tickets booked on aavacations.com or with American Airlines Vacations Reservations.
Q. My AAdvantage credit card earns double Award ("Redeemable") Miles on AA purchases. Will AA Vacations purchases earn 2x miles?
No. What transactions are eligible to earn double AAdvantage® miles?
Eligible American Airlines purchases are items billed by American Airlines as the merchant of record booked through American Airlines channels (aa.com, American Airlines Reservations, American Airlines airport, in-flight and city ticket counters). American Airlines tickets purchased through other channels or that are a component of any other cruise or tour package do not earn the additional mile purchase bonuses. Products or services that do not qualify for the additional bonus miles include car rentals, hotel reservations, American Airlines Vacations packages, purchases of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, duty free purchases and or AA Cargo℠
(lower right wiki corner)Updated by JDiver 19 Feb 2016
FAQ: aavacations.com / AA Vacations flight & vacation package questions, discussion
Jan 15, 2018, 8:34 am
#271
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Arizona
Programs: AA 2MM EXPL, DL 2MM GLD, Hilton DMD, Starwood GLD, Marriott
Posts: 6
Thank you both very, very much. If this holds true, it looks like the best solution to my upcoming trip. AA Vacations is still acting wonky and not pricing at anything that is reasonable. I will go ahead and try this and I will report back to this thread with my actual results. I am so thankful for the help of this Forum. Thank you for taking the time your of your day to respond!
Jan 16, 2018, 4:12 am
#272
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
In the BA T5 lounge on the on way back. I can confirm that the outbound flights (SJC-LHR, LHR-FCO) posted as expected for EQM and QED. Actually, the Avios upgrade from E to Business showed up as I, so it was actually 25% EQD instead pf 20% 
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jan 16, 2018, 8:49 am
#273
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Arizona
Programs: AA 2MM EXPL, DL 2MM GLD, Hilton DMD, Starwood GLD, Marriott
Posts: 6
Thanks, brp, this is great news. I booked a BA Holidays business ticket (plus hotel) PHX-DFW-LHR-LIN and return. I will report back on this as well, but it looks like the BA Holidays may be easier to be properly and quickly credited than AAVacations in some ways based on the prior discussions in this thread. However, the downside is that EQM's are a bit lower, while EQD's a bit higher on the BA AAdvantage mileage scheme just as they are for normal AAdvantage accruals on each airline when booked in discounted business (I or similar). Again, thank you to everyone for your great help. This made my booking so much easier. It is annoying that AAVacations was so far off in pricing. It truly makes no sense....
Jan 16, 2018, 12:42 pm
#274
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Oakland
Programs: AA Explat, UA former 1K + PremExec, DL
Posts: 1,151
My wife and I got a PE to Club World op-up OAK-LGW last fall on a BA Holidays purchased trip.
Jan 16, 2018, 1:20 pm
#275
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinium
Posts: 1,334
Thanks, brp, this is great news. I booked a BA Holidays business ticket (plus hotel) PHX-DFW-LHR-LIN and return. I will report back on this as well, but it looks like the BA Holidays may be easier to be properly and quickly credited than AAVacations in some ways based on the prior discussions in this thread. However, the downside is that EQM's are a bit lower, while EQD's a bit higher on the BA AAdvantage mileage scheme just as they are for normal AAdvantage accruals on each airline when booked in discounted business (I or similar). Again, thank you to everyone for your great help. This made my booking so much easier. It is annoying that AAVacations was so far off in pricing. It truly makes no sense....
Jan 17, 2018, 11:12 am
#276
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
With or without BA Vacation, is a BA flight (no AA number) so it will always post as distance, you don't need to book a package for that, but of course, keep in mind is not good for deep discount economy class ticket. For Premium is always good to look on partners if AAVacation is not available with the asterisk or at a reasonable price
Jan 17, 2018, 1:50 pm
#277
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinium
Posts: 1,334
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...sh-airways.jsp
you can check the rest of the partners here
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
in other words, you don't need to use BA Vacation to get special fares because you won't get special fares, if you buy your flights from BA.com, you will still earn based on distance.
Jan 17, 2018, 9:24 pm
#278
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,502
I apologize in advance if my questions have been answered. I have read the wiki and search through the thread but I have no clue. Here are my questions:
1. Many suggest you need to book the flight with asterisk next to fare class. When I book my AA vacation package, I could see * is next to all of my flights in the final summary page. After I have paid, I received two emails. The first one is from [email protected] with my flights, and * is next to the fare code. The second on is from [email protected] and I could see my flights, ticket number, even the fare in USD. I don't see the * next to the fare class. Is this still a special fare?
2. If I make a SDC, will that trigger re-issue the ticket and re-calculate the EQD? I know SWU some time does.
3. Is the car potion fully refundable within 24 hours of booking as well?
Thank you in advance.
1. Many suggest you need to book the flight with asterisk next to fare class. When I book my AA vacation package, I could see * is next to all of my flights in the final summary page. After I have paid, I received two emails. The first one is from [email protected] with my flights, and * is next to the fare code. The second on is from [email protected] and I could see my flights, ticket number, even the fare in USD. I don't see the * next to the fare class. Is this still a special fare?
2. If I make a SDC, will that trigger re-issue the ticket and re-calculate the EQD? I know SWU some time does.
3. Is the car potion fully refundable within 24 hours of booking as well?
Thank you in advance.
Jan 18, 2018, 3:19 pm
#279
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Oakland
Programs: AA Explat, UA former 1K + PremExec, DL
Posts: 1,151
I apologize in advance if my questions have been answered. I have read the wiki and search through the thread but I have no clue. Here are my questions:
1. Many suggest you need to book the flight with asterisk next to fare class. When I book my AA vacation package, I could see * is next to all of my flights in the final summary page. After I have paid, I received two emails. The first one is from [email protected] with my flights, and * is next to the fare code. The second on is from [email protected] and I could see my flights, ticket number, even the fare in USD. I don't see the * next to the fare class. Is this still a special fare?
2. If I make a SDC, will that trigger re-issue the ticket and re-calculate the EQD? I know SWU some time does.
3. Is the car potion fully refundable within 24 hours of booking as well?
Thank you in advance.
1. Many suggest you need to book the flight with asterisk next to fare class. When I book my AA vacation package, I could see * is next to all of my flights in the final summary page. After I have paid, I received two emails. The first one is from [email protected] with my flights, and * is next to the fare code. The second on is from [email protected] and I could see my flights, ticket number, even the fare in USD. I don't see the * next to the fare class. Is this still a special fare?
2. If I make a SDC, will that trigger re-issue the ticket and re-calculate the EQD? I know SWU some time does.
3. Is the car potion fully refundable within 24 hours of booking as well?
Thank you in advance.
I can't answer 2 or 3, but I suspect any change to flights after ticketing may result in reversion of EQM/EQD calculations to fare-based. What the "fare" will be is anyone's guess, though.
Jan 20, 2018, 11:57 am
#280
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
I don't think you get special fares on BA Vacation... because BA Vacation flights have BA flight numbers on it (BA or BA codeshare), so the calculation will be based AA partners formula (distance) and for BA is this
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...sh-airways.jsp
you can check the rest of the partners here
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
in other words, you don't need to use BA Vacation to get special fares because you won't get special fares, if you buy your flights from BA.com, you will still earn based on distance.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...sh-airways.jsp
you can check the rest of the partners here
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
in other words, you don't need to use BA Vacation to get special fares because you won't get special fares, if you buy your flights from BA.com, you will still earn based on distance.
Jan 20, 2018, 12:59 pm
#281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
we have flown 2 of these. both booked as AA vacation. huge discount on both biz class flight and on hotel room. both ended up on BA metal, on a crummy 767 thru BWI- lhr.to ATH and BWI-LHR-LIS. the discount was very large. $6000 for 2 including hotel and biz class. my understanding is that if you go through AARP, there is another $500 discount.
Feb 1, 2018, 10:57 am
#282
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: PVD, BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,664
I recently booked ARN-DOH-AKL//AKL-DOH-OSL with QR in J for November. Since we live near BOS, we need to position to/from ARN/OSL on both ends of the nested QR flights. This is significantly cheaper than flying J to AKL ex-US (~$2,500 pp including positioning flights).
So, I'm looking at doing something like BOS-LHR-ARN//OSL-LHR-BOS in Y (BA metal) through AAVacations with a night each in ARN and OSL, then another night in AKL (to meet the three night requirement). I've already called AAVacations and it is possible to add the night in AKL to the reservation, despite the fact that we are not booking a flight to AKL through AAV.
AA does not operate the routes we will fly to/from/within Europe. Those are operated solely by BA, but AAV only sells the AA codeshare (not the BA prime); these do code as special fares with (slightly) better earn rates than BA. We'd have to connect through PHL/CLT/ORD/DFW/MIA if we wanted to fly AA metal TATL (and probably at a somewhat higher cost and less convenient times). My question is this.
Is there any potential downside to booking the AA codeshare instead of the BA prime? In this case, I'm specifically thinking about IRROPS, seat selection, OLCI, etc. (not earn rates). I'm OWE (with AA), so presumably that would get me somewhat better treatment from BA during IRROPS, right? I know proactive IRROPS handling and BA are somewhat mutually exclusive terms, so I don't want to get myself into a bad situation over a few bucks.
FWIW, I'd do a BA holiday package, but I can't get my itinerary to price out online with a hotel.
Thanks in advance!
So, I'm looking at doing something like BOS-LHR-ARN//OSL-LHR-BOS in Y (BA metal) through AAVacations with a night each in ARN and OSL, then another night in AKL (to meet the three night requirement). I've already called AAVacations and it is possible to add the night in AKL to the reservation, despite the fact that we are not booking a flight to AKL through AAV.
AA does not operate the routes we will fly to/from/within Europe. Those are operated solely by BA, but AAV only sells the AA codeshare (not the BA prime); these do code as special fares with (slightly) better earn rates than BA. We'd have to connect through PHL/CLT/ORD/DFW/MIA if we wanted to fly AA metal TATL (and probably at a somewhat higher cost and less convenient times). My question is this.
Is there any potential downside to booking the AA codeshare instead of the BA prime? In this case, I'm specifically thinking about IRROPS, seat selection, OLCI, etc. (not earn rates). I'm OWE (with AA), so presumably that would get me somewhat better treatment from BA during IRROPS, right? I know proactive IRROPS handling and BA are somewhat mutually exclusive terms, so I don't want to get myself into a bad situation over a few bucks.
FWIW, I'd do a BA holiday package, but I can't get my itinerary to price out online with a hotel.
Thanks in advance!
Feb 2, 2018, 4:16 am
#283
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Is there any potential downside to booking the AA codeshare instead of the BA prime? In this case, I'm specifically thinking about IRROPS, seat selection, OLCI, etc. (not earn rates). I'm OWE (with AA), so presumably that would get me somewhat better treatment from BA during IRROPS, right? I know proactive IRROPS handling and BA are somewhat mutually exclusive terms, so I don't want to get myself into a bad situation over a few bucks.
Feb 2, 2018, 9:21 am
#284
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
we have flown 2 or 3 vacation flights to europe from WAS( in biz class). AA booking was far superior to BA. AA hotels were much less expensive, . many more hotel choices on AA. assistance on BA was worthless. no fuel fees on AA. got AA miles. all flights were on BA, out of BWI on a very old and battered 767. AA website is far superior to BA website.
Feb 8, 2018, 6:08 pm
#285
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
Does anyone know if the flights get ticketed right at booking?
I found a flight with upgrade availability (showing on Expert Flyer), so if I book through AAV, then call the EXP desk will they be able to apply an SWU right away?
I almost feel guilty, even with a throw-away hotel, the price is less than just a flight. Has anyone had problems just not showing at a hotel?
And if the fare class says Q* or O*, I'm assuming the EQD would be calculated based on miles and not fare paid? It is a substantial difference.
I found a flight with upgrade availability (showing on Expert Flyer), so if I book through AAV, then call the EXP desk will they be able to apply an SWU right away?
I almost feel guilty, even with a throw-away hotel, the price is less than just a flight. Has anyone had problems just not showing at a hotel?
And if the fare class says Q* or O*, I'm assuming the EQD would be calculated based on miles and not fare paid? It is a substantial difference.