Another DONEx originating CPT query
#76
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Join Date: Mar 2001
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Posts: 27,730
One other possible Hail Mary option. Phone Mindpearl in CPT (I will PM you the name of the agent there who was so easy to work with - comparable to Sara) and ask them if the wire transfer option you mentioned above would work. I'm still not convinced that isn't simply the foreign credit card issue that's hanging things up with Mindpearl, owing to forex and lag time/float risk.
#77
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Miami 7-Million Miler EXP
Posts: 829
Interested in S.A. Ticket Agent
I wondered the same thing: whether the AA RTW desk is going to 'interfere' with an independent travel agent ticketing these. When the Canadian exception was discontinued several years ago, I, unaware, called in to have a RTW itinerary ticketed. I was YELLED at ("Mr. X, you have been told repeatedly that you can't ticket these anymore with a Canadian CC"). 1) I had NEVER been told such a thing, the first I had heard of it. 2) I had been in contact with the RTW desk several times to set up the aforementioned RTW, and it was always set up to be issued in CAD. I was shocked to be spoken to in such an unprofessional manner - I think I'm the most easy going guy in the world, and I had been dealing with them for years. As if I was raiding the chicken coop rather than adding eggs to the basket!
#78
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Join Date: Mar 2001
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Ok, so, I think I have some potentially very exciting news. The S.African TA I was put in touch with seems to be all over this thing, and seems to be ready, willing and anxious for the business. I'm going to email MiamiPrep and gardyloo to look over what she just emailed me to see if they agree that we might be on the verge of a breakthrough
#79
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: land of aahhhhs (ICT)
Programs: EXP LTPlat
Posts: 492
#80
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
Ok, so, I think I have some potentially very exciting news. The S.African TA I was put in touch with seems to be all over this thing, and seems to be ready, willing and anxious for the business. I'm going to email MiamiPrep and gardyloo to look over what she just emailed me to see if they agree that we might be on the verge of a breakthrough
#81
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I forwarded the emails to Gardyloo for some opinions and he had some observations, which he can certainly share if he cares to.
I'll be checking in each day with this TA and will keep all posted.
#82
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Melbourne
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 188
very interested so please keep me in the loop
#83
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
They did not actually take over the booking that AA ATW desk made, they completely rebooked it using "their GDS, Galileo/Travelport." They sent me a new record locator, showing all the flights. The record locator showed up on AA.com and the TA states "ticket will be on American Airlines"
#84
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Join Date: Mar 2001
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Gardyloo found several issues with what the travel agent put together-- unexplained higher prices and excessive taxes. I've forwarded his comments to see what their explanations are.
#85
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Join Date: Mar 2001
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Happy to report steady progress in working both this JNB-based TA. Gardyloo has been incredibly helpful and I'm getting very close to ticketing. She charges R750.00 as a fee and she seems to be able to get info directly from QR oneworld helpdesk.
So, if anyone here who has experience with the tickets, and has their itin 100% ready to go (I think, IMO, it really should be both-- someone who knows this stuff inside-out -and- knows -exactly- what they want at this point, for the first attempt(s)) PM me if you want to give her a shot-- I'm increasingly confident that she can be a very good resource. Also be 100% ready to ticket. She only works till 2pm JNB time, so, most times, and question you email her won't have an answer till the next morning-- but like clockwork in that regard.
One other thought; if anyone is interested in starting a small, private Facebook discussion group to specifically discuss this TA (or maybe getting ex-S.Africa tix ticketed generally,) let me know-- might be helpful to get/give immediate feedback. Just a thought.
So, if anyone here who has experience with the tickets, and has their itin 100% ready to go (I think, IMO, it really should be both-- someone who knows this stuff inside-out -and- knows -exactly- what they want at this point, for the first attempt(s)) PM me if you want to give her a shot-- I'm increasingly confident that she can be a very good resource. Also be 100% ready to ticket. She only works till 2pm JNB time, so, most times, and question you email her won't have an answer till the next morning-- but like clockwork in that regard.
One other thought; if anyone is interested in starting a small, private Facebook discussion group to specifically discuss this TA (or maybe getting ex-S.Africa tix ticketed generally,) let me know-- might be helpful to get/give immediate feedback. Just a thought.
Last edited by JonNYC; Jan 19, 2016 at 7:16 am
#86
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,638
2 questions. How is payment done, via credit card or wire transfer? How will itinerary changes be handled after the 1st flight, via the TA or via the pertinent airline?
#87
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Excellent news, Jon! Since the TA will plate on AA, using an AA-affiliated CC should earn the extra AA bonus miles (assuming the charge shows up as "American Airlines").
#88
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Join Date: Mar 2001
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Unfortunately, I have to amend.
Whereas originally this TA said ticket would be plated on AA, she now states it will be plated by carrier w/ first international segment-- so QR in my case. She seems to get quick and authoritative answers from QR help desk on each and every question, but, I know some folks will be skittish about bing ticketed by QR-- event though a re-issue can obviously "fix that problem" after travel commences, etc.
Whereas originally this TA said ticket would be plated on AA, she now states it will be plated by carrier w/ first international segment-- so QR in my case. She seems to get quick and authoritative answers from QR help desk on each and every question, but, I know some folks will be skittish about bing ticketed by QR-- event though a re-issue can obviously "fix that problem" after travel commences, etc.
#89
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: land of aahhhhs (ICT)
Programs: EXP LTPlat
Posts: 492
Unfortunately, I have to amend.
Whereas originally this TA said ticket would be plated on AA, she now states it will be plated by carrier w/ first international segment-- so QR in my case. She seems to get quick and authoritative answers from QR help desk on each and every question, but, I know some folks will be skittish about bing ticketed by QR-- event though a re-issue can obviously "fix that problem" after travel commences, etc.
Whereas originally this TA said ticket would be plated on AA, she now states it will be plated by carrier w/ first international segment-- so QR in my case. She seems to get quick and authoritative answers from QR help desk on each and every question, but, I know some folks will be skittish about bing ticketed by QR-- event though a re-issue can obviously "fix that problem" after travel commences, etc.
#90
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581