AA Limiting # of Segments on Award Tickets as of 3 Aug 2017
#16
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I believe the quoted exception is to the direct flight rule which has been around a long time. I don't think it's an exception too the new rule.
#17
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Well, if any of it is in reference to the quote in JDiver's post above, that's definitely not an exception to this new change.
#18
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You have to intend (my emphasis) to take the most direct routing, which is explained in the rules as follows: “The number of awards assessed should be determined by the customer’s intentions. If the indirect routing is booked at the customer’s request, multiple awards should apply using Pricing Override Options – Force Fare Breakpoint. If the routing is booked based on lack of award availability on direct routes, then an exception may be made, allowing Sabre to price as one award.”
#19
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#20
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Jon, any word as to whether a ground transfer between co-terminals (like LGA//JFK, FLL//MIA, or SNA//LAX would use up one of the permissible segments?
#21
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#22
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does anyone knows what would happen if the most direct routing does not have the class of service that i am booking the rest of my award for? Would I then be allowed more than 4 segments in 1 award? E.g. if I'm booking CGK-MCO in first and HKG-MCO is already 3 segments (all in business/first), but CGK-HKG only has Y and no J, is it possible to route, e.g. via KUL with MH J? So essentially, is "CGK-KUL-HKG-XXX-YYY-MCO" allowed, on the basis that CGK-HKG is only available in Y and not J?
Last edited by hkgg; Nov 12, 2017 at 11:07 am
#23
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does anyone knows what would happen if the most direct routing does not have the class of service that i am booking the rest of my award for? Would I then be allowed more than 4 segments in 1 award? E.g. if I'm booking CGK-MCO in first and HKG-MCO is already 3 segments (all in business/first), but CGK-HKG only has Y and no J, is it possible to route, e.g. via KUL with MH J? So essentially, is "CGK-KUL-HKG-XXX-YYY-MCO" allowed, on the basis that CGK-HKG is only available in Y and not J?
Last edited by anabolism; Nov 27, 2017 at 6:26 pm Reason: typo: had written AAnytime when obviously SAAver was meant.
#24
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#25
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One of the curious things I would observe is AA's inclination to multi-segment the user request on their own.
Example: Paris to Phoenix -- one way - business class.
The most direct sequence would be CDG/DFW/PHX or CDG/MIA/PHX or any of a number -- using AA metal.
But those flights often require 'anytime' miles.
Not to worry, right -- there are 57.5K options -- these typically are:
CDG/LHR LHR/ORD -- British Airways
ORD/PHX -- AA
So not only is AA pushing you to an extra segment, they are pushing you to using BA and paying the BA premium for using miles.
Just rather..... curious.
Example: Paris to Phoenix -- one way - business class.
The most direct sequence would be CDG/DFW/PHX or CDG/MIA/PHX or any of a number -- using AA metal.
But those flights often require 'anytime' miles.
Not to worry, right -- there are 57.5K options -- these typically are:
CDG/LHR LHR/ORD -- British Airways
ORD/PHX -- AA
So not only is AA pushing you to an extra segment, they are pushing you to using BA and paying the BA premium for using miles.
Just rather..... curious.
#28
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#29
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#30
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It's a real problem, and in some cases a very significant one. AA has been severely restricting SAAver award availability for many years now, since before the merger, and it's gotten even worse, especially for premium cabin awards. In the past, it was possible to construct an award by spending hours searching EF for every possible routing. I've resorted to a number of five and six segment and even longer when it was the only way to construct an award. By booking at the edge of the booking window, there would often be schedule changes that allowed me to reduce the number of segments dramatically, but that only works after ticketing. With the limit, award travel in many cases becomes impossible.