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[PREM FARE GONE] AA DCA-PEK sub-$450 a/i rt in J

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Old Mar 17, 2015, 9:24 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Server
*Update 28/10/2015*
American Airlines has sent out a batch of emails offering customers two options. None of which earns miles and does not address DOT's old guidelines.

We have yet to here from DOT.

Here is a copy of the letter:

Thank you for your patience in our responding to your complaint regarding the cancellation of a reservation for travel to China which you placed on hold earlier this year.

The reservation you placed on hold was for an extremely low fare offered by American in error, and the mistaken fare was offered for only a few hours. Because the fare was offered in error, we cancelled those reservations, such as yours, that had been made but not ticketed.

In our view, given the fact that the fares American offered for China travel in those few hours were so low that it was obvious they were offered in error (a fact widely acknowledged in the social media posts which prompted many of those who reserved the fares to do so), we were justified in cancelling those reservations that were made but not ticketed, and accordingly will not honor the fare associated with your cancelled reservation. However, we will offer to you two options for reduced rate travel to China, one for business class and one for coach class. The two options are as follows:

Option A – Business Class: We offer you a $1,500 discount on any roundtrip business cabin fare to Shanghai or Beijing.
  • Reservation must be booked by AA and operated entirely by AA (including AA’s regional partners).
  • Travel may not be upgraded, by upgrade certificate, AAdvantage status, or any other means, to a higher class of service.
  • Travel will not be eligible to earn AAdvantage miles or Elite Qualifying Miles or points, and will not count as Elite Qualifying segments in the AAdvantage program.
  • Travel may be ticketed immediately and must be completed within one year of the date of this letter.
  • Travel to PEK or PVG should originate and end in the same U.S. airport(s) as in the original PNR with the same passenger(s) (or subset of passengers) traveling as were listed in the cancelled PNR.
  • Must be ticketed within six weeks of the date of this letter.

Option B – Main Cabin: We offer you the opportunity to receive a $0 fare basis main cabin fare to Shanghai or Beijing, subject to taxes and fees of approximately $450 (varies slightly by routing)..
  • Reservation must be booked by AA for any Q or O class fare to PEK or PVG, and operated entirely by AA (including AA’s regional partners).
  • Travel may not be upgraded, by upgrade certificate, AAdvantage status, or any other means, to a higher class of service.
  • Travel will not be eligible to earn AAdvantage miles or Elite Qualifying Miles or points, and will not count as Elite Qualifying segments in the AAdvantage program.
  • This offer is subject to Q or O class inventory availability for travel outbound starting November 15, 2015.
  • Travel must be completed within one year of the date of this letter.
  • Travel to PEK or PVG should originate and end in the same U.S. airport(s) as in the original PNR with the same passenger(s) (or subset of passengers) traveling as were listed in the cancelled PNR.
  • Must be ticketed within six weeks of the date of this letter.

If you would like to accept one of these offers, please contact American Airlines at the following number to make your flight reservation.



When and where are you traveling? - edit below

March
27-March-2015 -- 30-March-2015 (NYC)-DCA-ORD-PEK heatheresq FIRST (apparently)!
30-March-2015 -- 02-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK transparent
31-March-2015 -- 03-April-2015 ICN-PEK-ORD-DFW timid_trnchcoat, Y only


April
01-April-2015 -- 05-April-2015 DCA-BOS-ORD-PEK-HKG-DFW-DCA thegrailer
02-April-2015 -- 07-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK Soddon
03-April-2015 -- 07-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK jetsarefast2
03-April-2015 -- 10-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK fly2nrt
04-April-2015 -- 07-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK cocobird
07-April-2015 -- 10-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK/PEK-ORD-DCA DiscoverCSG
07-April-2015 -- 16-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK learingtofly2015

08-April-2015 -- 12-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK IWontRegretThis
09-April-2015 -- 13-April-2015 IAD-DFW-PVG/PVG-LAX-IAD Tblack15 Confirmed 2x EQPs; had no elite status
10-April-2015 -- 13-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK andrewwm

11-April-2015 -- 19-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK thyeri
13-April-2015 -- 16-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK bchips
13-April-2015 -- 16-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK cbuckhouse
Confirmed 2x EQPs; had Platinum status

14-April-2015 -- 22-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA fijaircan
15-April-2015 -- 21-April-2015 IAD-DFW-... elliottishere
16-April-2015 -- 21-April-2015 ...-DFW-PVG elliottishere
22-April-2015 -- 27-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEKChucksterace
22-April-2015 -- 01-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEKtn8
26-April-2015 -- 29-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA MarkP24
26-April-2015 -- 29-April-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA FriendlySkies
26-April-2015 -- 01-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA miffsc
26-April-2015 -- 01-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA travelsavant
26-April-2015 -- 03-May-2015 IAD-DFW-ORD-PEK-ORD-MIA-IAD Fredd and Mrs. Fredd
27-April-2015 -- 01-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA MsSTL
27-April-2015 -- 01-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCAlakers6902
27-April-2015 -- 05-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK smikih
27-April-2015 -- 06-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA the_happiness_store
29-April-2015 -- 09-May-2015 IAD-DFW-ORD-PEK-DFW-IAD Brituchenite



May
01-May-2015 -- 14-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PVG-ORD-DCA Novemurr+2
06-May-2015 -- 10-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK edbyu +1
07-May-2015 -- 10-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PVG iadp
08-May-2015 -- 11-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK Golfingboy washeelers747 +2
08-May-2015 -- 11-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-DFW-IAD a330300
08-May-2015 -- 12-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA smoneyxc
08-May-2015 -- 12-May-2015 IAD-DFW-... eap
09-May-2015 -- 12-May-2015 ...-DFW-PEK-DFW-IAD eap
09-May-2015 -- 13-May-2015 ...DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA Bonaventure
10-May-2015 -- 16-May-2015 IAD-DFW-PEK Kidorki
11-May-2015 -- 14-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK medichill
12-May-2015 -- 19-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK party_boy
12-May-2015 -- 23-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA rexid
13-May-2015 -- 24-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-DFW-DCA hoosiereph+3
13-May-2015 -- 20-May-2015 IAD-DFW-... travisair
13-May-2015 -- 16-May-2015 IAD-ORD-PEK Long Train Runnin
14-May-2015 -- 17 May-2015 IAD-DFW-PEK Bigguyinpasadena
14-May-2015 -- 20-May-2015 ...-DFW-PEK travisair
14-May-2015 -- 17-May-2015 IAD-DFW-PEK roastpuff
14-May-2015 -- 17-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK Robert
14-May-2015 -- 18-May-2018 DCA-DFW-PEK Cachris69
14-May-2015 -- 17-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PVG iadp
14-May-2015 -- 26-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA AJollyLife (Birthday on the 23rd! )
15-May-2015 -- 18-May-2015 DCA-DFW-HKG-PEK-HKG-DFW-DCA Bonaventure
15-May-2015 -- 18-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK alexj7
15-May-2015 -- 18-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK andrewwm
15-May-2015 -- 18-May-2105 DCA-ORD-PEK-DFW Madone59
16-May-2015 -- 21-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA davidyyz
16-May-2015 -- 19-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK schwimmair
16-May-2015 -- 24-May 2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-DFW-DCA keepssmile
17-May-2015 -- 21-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK tzvilev
17-May-2015 -- 23-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA tommya
17-May-2015 -- 27-May-2015 IAD-DFW-PEK-DFW-IAD krazieman
18-May-2015 -- 21-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA ben1979
18-May-2015 -- 21-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA DS
18-May-2015 -- 22-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA miffsc
19-May-2015 -- 22-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA Bonaventure
19-May-2015 -- 30-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-DFW-DCA transparent
20-May-2015 -- 26-May-2015 IAD-DFW-... elliottishere
20-May-2015 -- 24-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK thepla
20-May-2015 -- 28-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK cvg-aa
21-May-2015 -- 26-May-2015 ...-DFW-PVG elliottishere
21-May-2015 -- 24-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK/PEK-ORD-DCA awaite01
21-May-2015 -- 24-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK/PEK-ORD-DCA smitty06 and shynate
21-May-2015 -- 01-Jun-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA Tobypie
22-May-2015 -- 25-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK tsz
22-May-2015 -- 25-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PVG PaceLaw2012
22-May-2015 -- 25-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK alexj7
22-May-2015 -- 25-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK onfo
22-May-2015 -- 27-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD ghzhammer
23-May-2015 -- 26-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK jetsarefast2
23-May-2015 -- 31-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA bqkali
23-May-2015 -- 31-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA blootch
23-May-2015 -- 31-May-2015 IAD-DFW-PEK-DFW-IAD FlyingChuck
24-May-2015 -- 27-May-2015 IAD-DFW-PEK northshorepa
24-May-2015 -- 27-May-2018 DCA-DFW-PEK Cachris69 +1
24-May-2015 -- 28-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK Bikeguy+1
24-May-2015 -- 28-May-2015 DCA-DFW-... Server
25-May-2015 -- 28-May-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ICN-DFW-DCA Bonaventure
25-May-2015 -- 28-May-2015 ...-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA Server
25-May-2015 -- 28-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA ben1979
25-May-2015 -- 28-May-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-DFW-IAD bartmas777
26-May-2015 -- 29-May-2015 CMH-DCA-ORD-PEK paramenace
27-May-2015 -- 01-Jun-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-DFW-DCA platinumTA
28-May-2015 -- 01-Jun-2015 IAD-DFW-PEK anchor79
28-May-2015 -- 01-Jun-2015 DCA-DFW-PEK-ORD-DCA flying for gold elite
28-May-2015 -- 01-Jun-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-DFW-DCA cfegeley
29-May-2015 -- 01-Jun-2015 DCA-ORD-PEK-ORD-DCA Mrp Alert
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[PREM FARE GONE] AA DCA-PEK sub-$450 a/i rt in J

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Old Oct 26, 2015, 12:20 pm
  #1876  
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Minnetonka, MN, USA
Programs: DL Diamond 2MM, AA ExPlt
Posts: 936
It is an outcome I expected, but I thought after this much time, AA would be more creative in its logic as to why they should be exempt from DOT regs.
cliburn is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 3:22 pm
  #1877  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Posts: 3,393
[PREM FARE GONE] AA DCA-PEK sub-$450 a/i rt in J

Who do we respond to? I tried responding to the email but it doesn't accept responses, seems kind of ignorant to me? Should we have a united response to this: "NO!"? I had two flights on hold. So I am eligible to fly to PEK RT twice for $450. Not bad but not worth going out to DC. Kills it for me
Mauibaby2008 is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 4:30 pm
  #1878  
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Originally Posted by Mauibaby2008
Who do we respond to? I tried responding to the email but it doesn't accept responses, seems kind of ignorant to me? Should we have a united response to this: "NO!"? I had two flights on hold. So I am eligible to fly to PEK RT twice for $450. Not bad but not worth going out to DC. Kills it for me
And keep in mind there is zero mileage or eqm earning.
cmd320 is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 4:35 pm
  #1879  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Originally Posted by cmd320
Quote:





Originally Posted by Mauibaby2008


Who do we respond to? I tried responding to the email but it doesn't accept responses, seems kind of ignorant to me? Should we have a united response to this: "NO!"? I had two flights on hold. So I am eligible to fly to PEK RT twice for $450. Not bad but not worth going out to DC. Kills it for me




And keep in mind there is zero mileage or eqm earning.
That's what they said the first time when they honored it (but all miles posted). What about crediting to Alaska? Anyways, like I said, not interested for the most part. Unless somebody finds a great deal on a DC> PEK business class flight in the mean time?

Otherwise it is just a bargaining chip as they're still not right here. Maybe I'll just ask for miles in exchange for the inconvenience and pass on the flights.
Mauibaby2008 is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 4:36 pm
  #1880  
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 54
Originally Posted by Mauibaby2008
Who do we respond to? I tried responding to the email but it doesn't accept responses, seems kind of ignorant to me?
I also got a bounced email. I put my response into the Customer Relations contact form at aa.com, and added all the unique codes from the bottom of the original message. I received a confirmation email that AA received my submission.

I had my DOT contact on CC from the first email as well, and informed him afterward that the email bounced from [email protected] and that I successfully submitted via the website.
ninegoodthings is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 4:41 pm
  #1881  
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Originally Posted by Xyzzy
Did only people who complained to DOT get this offer? If so, it seems that AA is actually encouraging people to file with the DOT if and when they make a mistake in the future.
It seems that AA is sending the offer to everyone with tickets on hold as I received the email this afternn.
Xyzzy is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 4:57 pm
  #1882  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 119
I did not receive this e-mail.

I originally held two reservations IAH-DFW-PEK at a fare of $1050 in J. Tickets were cancelled by AA but I did not submit a DoT complaint. I guess I should have. Maybe they wouldn't be able to use the mistake excuse for a $1050 J ticket, because that's quite a bit more money.

Also, it would have been hilariously insulting for them to offer me a $1050 Y ticket that didn't earn miles. I would have really liked to see that e-mail.
YoustonFlyer is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 5:02 pm
  #1883  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: St. Croix
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, CC Gold
Posts: 521
Originally Posted by dr88
Please update us when you get a copy and paste response!
Yep, got the same cut and past response as posted earlier...

Also received the same crap offer
alpen1 is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 7:44 pm
  #1884  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: WAS (DCA, BWI, IAD)
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 114
Got the offer. Did not file a DOT complain. No mileage is pointless.
faceboy is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 8:19 pm
  #1885  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Posts: 9,582
Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
Option 2: Y ticket with $0 fare basic, taxes and fees of $450~. Must be booked in O/Q. Again, no upgrades, must be ticketed immediately and won't earn any miles...
Why won't it earn miles? Is AA saying that?

Keep up the good flight all!
Madone59 is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 9:25 pm
  #1886  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Originally Posted by Madone59
Quote:





Originally Posted by FriendlySkies


Option 2: Y ticket with $0 fare basic, taxes and fees of $450~. Must be booked in O/Q. Again, no upgrades, must be ticketed immediately and won't earn any miles...




Why won't it earn miles? Is AA saying that?

Keep up the good flight all!
AA specifically says in the "offer" email that it won't earn.

The next step is, will they be eager to sweep this thing under the rug starting now, or will our next response come in another 6 or 7 months *eye roll*
Mauibaby2008 is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2015, 10:40 pm
  #1887  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
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I'm seeing fares as low as $3620 for IAD/DCA to PVG in business (ex. 5/27 - 6/4, booking code=D). With a $1500 discount, that brings the fare down to a pretty good price of $2120.
FlytheTail is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2015, 8:43 am
  #1888  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: CVG
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Platinum
Posts: 361
Got letter too. I had forgotten about it completely. Had placed on on hold and then was cancelled by AA.

Its the non mileage earning piece that's the killer.

Now i wonder what will happen if AA has a WAS-PEK/PVG J sale in the next 6 weeks for ~$1500..
topcat_dcx is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2015, 10:05 am
  #1889  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Posts: 1,145
Originally Posted by FlytheTail
I'm seeing fares as low as $3620 for IAD/DCA to PVG in business (ex. 5/27 - 6/4, booking code=D). With a $1500 discount, that brings the fare down to a pretty good price of $2120.
The no mileage earning kills this deal...in most cases, even for business, most people are not going to pay $2K for a flight that won't earn miles, at least I certainly won't. Heck, even their offer of $450 in coach, while decently priced, is still a no go for me since it doesn't earn miles. If either one of these offers allowed us to earn miles, then I might be inclined to accept, after all, people want the miles as much as the low price. I've seen way too many deals in the $600 range to Asia for me to pay $450 with no chance of an upgrade and no miles earning.
Mrgolfer21 is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2015, 10:10 am
  #1890  
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,677
Is it just me or does anyone see a coincidence between this set of "offers" and this (link to USAToday article on AA's no frills fares)? Could this be a simple test of whether people would take advantage of a non-earning, non-upgradeable "no frills" fare to China?
izzik is offline  


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