Does aa.com lock your rate while processing the booking?
Jun 9, 2024 | 7:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 159
Does aa.com lock your rate while processing the booking?
Contrary to other airlines, AA.COM doesn't show a timer when you book. The timer is supposed to indicate that the rate has been locked and will expire in so many minutes in you don't complete the booking.
I'm curious if AA.COM has a similar timer, hidden in this case, or there is no protection of any kind at all until you end the booking process. I am guessing there is some protection lock, perhaps not from the very first step when you search for flights, but at least when you are more advanced in the booking process.
I'm curious if AA.COM has a similar timer, hidden in this case, or there is no protection of any kind at all until you end the booking process. I am guessing there is some protection lock, perhaps not from the very first step when you search for flights, but at least when you are more advanced in the booking process.
Jun 9, 2024 | 8:36 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 13,274
The moment you select your flight and proceed, AA creates a PNR in the background. If you open your "my trips" on a different tab, you'll likely see it.
It's valid for a period of time.
It's valid for a period of time.
Jun 10, 2024 | 12:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K (former PP), AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Hilton Gold, Uber One
Posts: 1,429
I've seen situations where, at checkout, you're told the fare is no longer available. So I agree it creates a PNR, but it does not seem to properly lock the fare. Then again, this could be some other issue -- I've seen situations where you encounter the "fare not available" issue, then start a new search and see the same fare again, yet find that it is still not available.
Jun 10, 2024 | 1:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 8,944
I've seen situations where, at checkout, you're told the fare is no longer available. So I agree it creates a PNR, but it does not seem to properly lock the fare. Then again, this could be some other issue -- I've seen situations where you encounter the "fare not available" issue, then start a new search and see the same fare again, yet find that it is still not available.
Jun 10, 2024 | 1:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Programs: AA LT EXP, Marriott LT Titanium Elite, DL PLat
Posts: 3,404
I've seen situations where, at checkout, you're told the fare is no longer available. So I agree it creates a PNR, but it does not seem to properly lock the fare. Then again, this could be some other issue -- I've seen situations where you encounter the "fare not available" issue, then start a new search and see the same fare again, yet find that it is still not available.
Jun 10, 2024 | 2:22 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVPG75K, CX Green
Posts: 823
I believe AA creates the PNR in between the pax info page and the seat selection page (special meal page for long haul). That locks your fare.
If the seat is unable to be confirmed (for example, when someone snagged the seat before you, or weird married segment logic), you get kicked out to the flight selection page with a 'chosen fare no longer available' banner.
After the PNR is created, you have at least 15 mins to make the payment, provided you move your mouse every now and then to stop the page from timing out. If the page times out, or if you click choose another flight, the PNR is canceled. Otherwise it could actually stay live for a while in the background
If the seat is unable to be confirmed (for example, when someone snagged the seat before you, or weird married segment logic), you get kicked out to the flight selection page with a 'chosen fare no longer available' banner.
After the PNR is created, you have at least 15 mins to make the payment, provided you move your mouse every now and then to stop the page from timing out. If the page times out, or if you click choose another flight, the PNR is canceled. Otherwise it could actually stay live for a while in the background
Last edited by shd9; Jun 10, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Jun 10, 2024 | 2:40 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,653
I believe AA creates the PNR in between the pax info page and the selection page (special meal page for long haul). That locks your fare.
If the seat is unable to be confirmed (for example, when someone snagged the seat before you, or weird married segment logic), you get kicked out to the flight selection page with a 'chosen fare no longer available' banner.
After the PNR is created, you have at least 15 mins to make the payment, provided you move your mouse every now and then to stop the page from timing out. If the page times out, or if you click choose another flight, the PNR is canceled. Otherwise it could actually stay live for a while in the background
If the seat is unable to be confirmed (for example, when someone snagged the seat before you, or weird married segment logic), you get kicked out to the flight selection page with a 'chosen fare no longer available' banner.
After the PNR is created, you have at least 15 mins to make the payment, provided you move your mouse every now and then to stop the page from timing out. If the page times out, or if you click choose another flight, the PNR is canceled. Otherwise it could actually stay live for a while in the background
Jun 11, 2024 | 9:52 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K (former PP), AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Hilton Gold, Uber One
Posts: 1,429
Jun 13, 2024 | 3:10 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: AA EXP & 1MM
Posts: 845
Unless something has changed recently, Sabre holds the inventory when an agent or overlay "sells" the inventory into a PNR, BUT a fare gets validated when it's stored in the record (and again when ticketed). So you can actually be holding the inventory you need for your transaction, but have the transaction fail on a later step on the web (or even an agent on an overlay or manually building a record at a help desk or agency) because the fare itself is no longer available when it tries to store the fare after selling the inventory. So basically there are two moving parts -- one the reservation system protects you for a while on, and another that is always subject to change even during your transaction.