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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
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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 Mar 18, 2015, 7:45 am
  #376  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 465
Originally Posted by humanoid94
I would argue the intent of DOT's regulation was that a 24 hold and free cancellation within 24 hours be identical from a consumer protection perspective. Should be interesting to see.
My thoughts exactly.
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Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:46 am
  #377  
 
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Why do you use HOLDs for mistake fares?!
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Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:46 am
  #378  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Originally Posted by slice
My thoughts exactly.
Especially since AA.com does not allow 24 hour cancellation and says their hold is guaranteed here: http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/FAQs/...p&locale=es_ES
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Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:47 am
  #379  
 
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Originally Posted by keitherson
This should be in Premium Fare Deals. Mods, please move
Originally Posted by FlytheTail
Any reason why this thread isn't merged with the original one?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/premi...-t-1072-a.html
I was under the impression that Premium Fare Deals were for Premium Fares that didn't qualify as Mileage Runs but were good deals in themselves (~.10cpm). This is 2.08 cents per EQP, thus a Mileage Run. I didn't even see the MSY-PEK thread until now, and it seems that it required the DCA connection so it seems to be a DCA fare with other cities adding the cost of ABC-DCA.

Alas, if you really feel that this should be moved, there's a handy red triangle next to every post.
sbbutler93 is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:48 am
  #380  
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Originally Posted by mlqsko
Why do you use HOLDs for mistake fares?!
Because AA offers a hold, the are not required to offer a 24 hour risk free cancellation. That's why.
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Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:49 am
  #381  
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Given that other OTAs like Orbitz were offering the fare and have 24-hr cancellation/refund policies in place, there's no reason to rely on AA's free 24-hr hold unless you simply do not have the credit card funds to purchase up-front with an OTA.

I think people may have a case (non-lawyer opinion here) with a paid hold like UA's farelock... but that's another story and not applicable to this situation.
izzik is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:49 am
  #382  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Originally Posted by SiPi
From previous comments I gathered that they only check upon arrival wether you hold a valid ticket to a third country but they will not follow through with your actual travel? Am I missing anything?
Just get a 10-year multi-entry visa and be done with it. China has had a lot of cheap premium sale fares over the past year, no reason to think it won't continue. Why jack around with skirting the boundaries of what is legal/intended by the transit visa law when you could get banned from entry to China in the future?
janetdoe is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:51 am
  #383  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,843
Originally Posted by cmd320
Because AA offers a hold, the are not required to offer a 24 hour risk free cancellation. That's why.
I am fully aware of this. This comes handy with regular fares, not specials like this. I would have booked immediately.
mlqsko is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:52 am
  #384  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: madam's organ
Posts: 269
Originally Posted by mlqsko
I am fully aware of this. This comes handy with regular fares, not specials like this. I would have booked immediately.
How would you say this plays out with the wording here:

http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/FAQs/...p&locale=es_ES
citsfo is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:52 am
  #385  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,843
Originally Posted by izzik
Given that other OTAs like Orbitz were offering the fare and have 24-hr cancellation/refund policies in place, there's no reason to rely on AA's free 24-hr hold unless you simply do not have the credit card funds to purchase up-front with an OTA.
@:-)
mlqsko is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:52 am
  #386  
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Originally Posted by janetdoe
Why jack around with skirting the boundaries of what is legal/intended by the transit visa law when you could get banned from entry to China in the future?
Based on older FT posts, you should not underestimate the extreme efforts of mindless penny-pinching.
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Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:52 am
  #387  
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this wont be honoured.
if the base fare was priced at $0 then the DOT will definitely rule in favour of AA as it can't even be described as a mis-price (i.e. no goods were actually sold)
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Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:54 am
  #388  
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Originally Posted by snapthatflight
this wont be honoured.
if the base fare was priced at $0 then the DOT will definitely rule in favour of AA as it can't even be described as a mis-price (i.e. no goods were actually sold)
The base fare was not $0. It was $20.
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Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:54 am
  #389  
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Originally Posted by snapthatflight
this wont be honoured.
if the base fare was priced at $0 then the DOT will definitely rule in favour of AA as it can't even be described as a mis-price (i.e. no goods were actually sold)
Tickets are already being cancelled as we speak.
Every since the UA DOT ruling of a month ago, the DOT will now side with AA.
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Old Mar 18, 2015, 7:54 am
  #390  
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Originally Posted by snapthatflight
this wont be honoured.
if the base fare was priced at $0 then the DOT will definitely rule in favour of AA as it can't even be described as a mis-price (i.e. no goods were actually sold)
Not all base fares were $0.
Additionally, there were several non-zero low fares available.
izzik is offline  


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