Did international business become economy on the domestic leg?
Feb 11, 2019, 1:50 am
#16
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
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Posts: 7,683
Looking at AA 2420 on April 17, its J7 D7 I0. I suspect that because I class wasn't available, OP may have a broken fare with Y from ABQ to DFW, and then I from DFW to BUD. -- OP -- I suspect the price difference between a D fare ABQ-DFW-LHR-BUD is more than $100 so this worked to your advantage even if you use a couple of coupons to upgrade.
Even the cheapest currently filed "I" fare tickets permit seating in "I" on domestic legs, with "Y" permitted if no "I" inventory is available. Assuming the entire ticket involves a fare basis starting with "I", you're entitled to first class seats on ABQ-DFW at no extra charge if/when "I" inventory is released. Once ticketed, call AA, ask them to review the fare rules and booking codes associated with the fare. You should be able to waitlist for "I" class, and even if inventory is never released, you should be ahead of all complimentary upgrades on the airport standby list. If the first agent can't help, HUCA, ask for a supervisor, etc. Good luck!
Feb 11, 2019, 2:08 am
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,548
There is no issue rebooking into the higher cabin if availability opens up
Feb 11, 2019, 8:02 am
#18
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,221
AA always allows buying up to a higher class on the same flights and they will waive any change fee. In this case, if it is in fact a through-fare ABQ-BUD (which frankly I would be surprised if AA has filed a fare for this route, but I haven't checked), with a leg voluntarily downgraded into Y, then the buy-up fare difference would be $0.
Feb 11, 2019, 9:54 am
#19
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: TPA for now. Hopefully LIS for retirement
Posts: 13,678
And I did call before I bought the ticket, spending almost an hour with different tAA agents, but it did not help.
ETA - Or was there a different ABQ-DFW flight available with F? I have seen plenty of options when booking where the domestic leg of an int'l itin only has Y available on one flight, but the flight before or after has F.
