USA: (many) IAP fares can now be booked online (May 2019)
May 11, 2019, 1:38 pm
#31
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Why wouldn't they? If it is similar to an OTA booking that you can do on Amex already, and people have and still get credit for, additionally it should be the same credit as if it was booked over the phone. Or is this a reference to airlines special fares from the IAP?
I agree with the "why wouldn't they" sentiment, but I've yet to see a data point and...well...stranger things have happened in the world of FFPs.
May 12, 2019, 8:56 am
#32
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Yup, seeing an increasing number of airlines now, i keep checking JFK-FRA for SQ which is a good one and that still comes up at the usual rate, not showing the sub $2k rate w/ IAP discount (yet).
edited to add- well, IAP discount is showing for SEA-SIN nonstops on SQ, also getting OZ and JL discounted fares showing ex Seattle and YVR. JLs discounted X fares to deep SE asia are very reasonable ex YVR, even better w another 10% lopped off and the 5x MR accrual.
edited to add more- Wow, transparency is a cool thing. Finding that CI fares ex-YVR get significantly more than the 10% discount. Yvr-tpe-sgn goes for $3590 but IAP rate shows as $2400. That’s nearly $1200 discount, closer to 30%!!
edited to add- well, IAP discount is showing for SEA-SIN nonstops on SQ, also getting OZ and JL discounted fares showing ex Seattle and YVR. JLs discounted X fares to deep SE asia are very reasonable ex YVR, even better w another 10% lopped off and the 5x MR accrual.
edited to add more- Wow, transparency is a cool thing. Finding that CI fares ex-YVR get significantly more than the 10% discount. Yvr-tpe-sgn goes for $3590 but IAP rate shows as $2400. That’s nearly $1200 discount, closer to 30%!!
Last edited by stephem; May 12, 2019 at 9:09 am
May 12, 2019, 9:51 am
#33
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So, can we now confirm that the same price offered by calling is online? And by booking online there is no $39 fee?
I have had Amex set up a few profiles for people that travel with me that I purchase the tickets for. Are these profiles saved somewhere if I book online? I can’t seem to find it.
I have had Amex set up a few profiles for people that travel with me that I purchase the tickets for. Are these profiles saved somewhere if I book online? I can’t seem to find it.
May 12, 2019, 11:07 pm
#34
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May 13, 2019, 10:46 am
#35
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So, can we now confirm that the same price offered by calling is online? And by booking online there is no $39 fee?
I have had Amex set up a few profiles for people that travel with me that I purchase the tickets for. Are these profiles saved somewhere if I book online? I can’t seem to find it.
I have had Amex set up a few profiles for people that travel with me that I purchase the tickets for. Are these profiles saved somewhere if I book online? I can’t seem to find it.
My question, and I hope I don't need to find out, is if I can call PTS if plans change (like if Delta pulls a famous Saturday night schedule change). Calling the general AmexTravel # is the same as calling Orbitz in terms of customer service.
May 14, 2019, 2:40 pm
#37
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,639
I've found Google Flights fares to be not credible
On the American Express site. First set of search results at top shows insider fares and then right below that it shows IAP fares. I just stumbled on this by accident looking for some business class tickets to Paris and the prices were roughly 10% less than Google flights.
May 15, 2019, 2:13 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,963
I called this morning to price out a IAP fare...and the agent told me that the roll out of the online IAP availability is in fact happening....it was slightly delayed but we should be able to book it ourselves soon... it sounds like some of you are already seeing results.
May 16, 2019, 1:44 pm
#39
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Is that a confirmation that Amextravel.com is not the same as Platinum Travel Services, even if I book a IAP fare? Because as I stated, I don't need hand holding for booking, it's schedule changes. I will pay the $39 if I know the website is different support.
May 16, 2019, 8:35 pm
#40
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Do you need to log in to see the discount? I just looked at some DL flights in D1 (business class) and I'm seeing exactly the same price DL is offering for a Z class ticket, although it's a rather strange fare as the fare code starts with a letter that's normally used for deeply discounted coach when I look at the fare rules on the DL website, although there's absolutely no wording about it being a coach fare with an instant upgrade.
May 16, 2019, 8:36 pm
#41
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May 16, 2019, 9:16 pm
#42
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May 17, 2019, 3:07 am
#43
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Thanks for this thread - very useful and I'm finding some good fares for future reference.
One thing I found were some options to book connecting flights that would not normally be available when booking directly with an airline because they are not in the same alliance, e.g. an AA domestic flight connecting to an SK international flight.
Does anyone know if one holds a ticket issued by AmexTravel like this, how does it work for IRROPS or even baggage handling. If I check in with AA, can they issue boarding passes, check luggage, etc. for the entire itinerary? And what happens if there is a delay and the connecting flight is missed?
One thing I found were some options to book connecting flights that would not normally be available when booking directly with an airline because they are not in the same alliance, e.g. an AA domestic flight connecting to an SK international flight.
Does anyone know if one holds a ticket issued by AmexTravel like this, how does it work for IRROPS or even baggage handling. If I check in with AA, can they issue boarding passes, check luggage, etc. for the entire itinerary? And what happens if there is a delay and the connecting flight is missed?
May 17, 2019, 9:31 am
#44
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Does anyone know if one holds a ticket issued by AmexTravel like this, how does it work for IRROPS or even baggage handling. If I check in with AA, can they issue boarding passes, check luggage, etc. for the entire itinerary? And what happens if there is a delay and the connecting flight is missed?
Carriers do not need to be in the same alliance to sell tickets on each others' flights. For example, UA will happily sell Asia connections on CX, HX, and JQ, none of which is *A.
May 26, 2019, 10:42 am
#45
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Another data point:
Just booked Delta Premium Select to Japan for $1295 + $39 fee, compared to $1493 from Delta, an 11% discount. (SEA-NRT on DL connecting to ITM on ANA, then returning NRT-SEA on DL). There were some options that showed up online, but no reasonably priced DL options. However when I called in they were able to get the exact routing I wanted at a price competitive with the AA options online. So while there are some options that show up online, it's still worth calling if the routing you want isn't there.
Just booked Delta Premium Select to Japan for $1295 + $39 fee, compared to $1493 from Delta, an 11% discount. (SEA-NRT on DL connecting to ITM on ANA, then returning NRT-SEA on DL). There were some options that showed up online, but no reasonably priced DL options. However when I called in they were able to get the exact routing I wanted at a price competitive with the AA options online. So while there are some options that show up online, it's still worth calling if the routing you want isn't there.