Oneworld booking and pricing experiences
#316



Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,687
Sorry if this has been mentioned here before.
AA PLT desk confirmed that the system is not tracking bookings, only ticket numbers. Neither there is no special handling for RTW tickets.
They also confirmed, that if one make change that gets the ticket reissued, the counter would start counting again from zero because having different e-ticket number. So, it's at least really possible to dodge the 75K RDM limit by getting ticket re-issued by making changes on the way, before the cap would apply.
AA PLT desk confirmed that the system is not tracking bookings, only ticket numbers. Neither there is no special handling for RTW tickets.
They also confirmed, that if one make change that gets the ticket reissued, the counter would start counting again from zero because having different e-ticket number. So, it's at least really possible to dodge the 75K RDM limit by getting ticket re-issued by making changes on the way, before the cap would apply.
One thing though - typically an xONEx has more than one e-ticket number. Believe it or not, the 'modern' electronic ticket system still reflects the old paper tickets: a ticket has four coupons, each representing a segment. If your itinerary has 16 segments (and all of ours do right?) then you will have four e-tickets in your itinerary.
My just issued by QF DONE5 has four e-tickets, numbered sequentially.
So if is truly at the e-ticket level, then we should have no problem with the 75,000 mile limit
#317



Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,687
Back to MPM issues for a minute. (I'm starting to get confused as to which thread for which issues!!)
Just got off the phone with a very nice gentleman at AA RTW desk, let's call him Mr. T. First, I note that he couldn't have been nicer.
He said that "American is not issuing" any tickets which touch Africa and have segments between Europe and Middle East in the itinerary. We reviewed the rules together; and he saw my point. Put me on hold and checked with the "tariff" desk. He agrees that it is ambiguous, but said that this is the position that AA is taking. Very apologetic. He said that there have been discussions about changing the wording in this section of the rules; and he hopes that it occurs this week since they are receiving a lot of calls on this.
Gave me the number for BA RTW desk; but they are a Monday-Friday operation.
So back to the drawing board on the itinerary, I guess.
Just got off the phone with a very nice gentleman at AA RTW desk, let's call him Mr. T. First, I note that he couldn't have been nicer.
He said that "American is not issuing" any tickets which touch Africa and have segments between Europe and Middle East in the itinerary. We reviewed the rules together; and he saw my point. Put me on hold and checked with the "tariff" desk. He agrees that it is ambiguous, but said that this is the position that AA is taking. Very apologetic. He said that there have been discussions about changing the wording in this section of the rules; and he hopes that it occurs this week since they are receiving a lot of calls on this.
Gave me the number for BA RTW desk; but they are a Monday-Friday operation.
So back to the drawing board on the itinerary, I guess.
Why did they give you the BA RTW number? Was it so that you go and try your luck with them? Or was it because they are considered the "definitive source" when it comes to interpreting the rules (the pdf version on the Oneworld web site is authored by BA). I had a battle with BA last year (which I won) regarding their interpretation of the old backtracking rule - see post #91 in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...cpt-done5.html
#318
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 16,679
Are they willing to issue tickets that do NOT backtrack to Europe/Middle East yet have segments between Europe and Middle east? These should not be a problem.
Why did they give you the BA RTW number? Was it so that you go and try your luck with them? Or was it because they are considered the "definitive source" when it comes to interpreting the rules (the pdf version on the Oneworld web site is authored by BA). I had a battle with BA last year (which I won) regarding their interpretation of the old backtracking rule - see post #91 in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...cpt-done5.html
Why did they give you the BA RTW number? Was it so that you go and try your luck with them? Or was it because they are considered the "definitive source" when it comes to interpreting the rules (the pdf version on the Oneworld web site is authored by BA). I had a battle with BA last year (which I won) regarding their interpretation of the old backtracking rule - see post #91 in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...cpt-done5.html
#319
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QRPC PLT/OW EMD; Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 14,571
What he said after speaking to the tariff desk while I was on hold was that AA "is taking the position" that it is not issuing tickets for itins which include segments between Europe and Middle East if they touch Africa. He acknowledged that that may change once the clarification is issued.
#320




Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 104
Update:
I just got off the phone with AA RTW office. After I told the lady where I would be departing from she laughed and said that she had been booking a lot of these tickets this week.
I had all of my flights, departing date and the continuing (fake) dates ready and the entire process took about 15 minutes.
She gave me a confirmation number and said she is sending it to the rate desk for the taxes and carrier charges. The base rate I was quoted was $2,389. The next step is that I call back tomorrow to find out the total and they will hold the reservation for me until Friday 8/5.
Here is my DONE4:
MPM- xDOH-SIN-(SIN- DPS surface sector)DPS-HKG-MNL-SAN-YYC-SAN (SAN-LAX surface sector)- LAX-LHR-BUD-LHR-JNB
When I confirmed with her that I could change the dates, she made the comment that it would be tricky because this is a discounted fare and therefor there would be less availability. Has anyone had experience with date changes? I am assuming that you book it as soon as the calendar opens up...or at least as soon as you can.
This was really easy. So, either they are going to come back with reasons why it can't be done OR all of the help an input I got from you all made it work.
I'll keep you posted! Thanks all! And a big thanks to pandaperth!
I just got off the phone with AA RTW office. After I told the lady where I would be departing from she laughed and said that she had been booking a lot of these tickets this week.
I had all of my flights, departing date and the continuing (fake) dates ready and the entire process took about 15 minutes.
She gave me a confirmation number and said she is sending it to the rate desk for the taxes and carrier charges. The base rate I was quoted was $2,389. The next step is that I call back tomorrow to find out the total and they will hold the reservation for me until Friday 8/5.
Here is my DONE4:
MPM- xDOH-SIN-(SIN- DPS surface sector)DPS-HKG-MNL-SAN-YYC-SAN (SAN-LAX surface sector)- LAX-LHR-BUD-LHR-JNB
When I confirmed with her that I could change the dates, she made the comment that it would be tricky because this is a discounted fare and therefor there would be less availability. Has anyone had experience with date changes? I am assuming that you book it as soon as the calendar opens up...or at least as soon as you can.
This was really easy. So, either they are going to come back with reasons why it can't be done OR all of the help an input I got from you all made it work.
I'll keep you posted! Thanks all! And a big thanks to pandaperth!
#321



Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,687
Update:
I just got off the phone with AA RTW office. After I told the lady where I would be departing from she laughed and said that she had been booking a lot of these tickets this week.
I had all of my flights, departing date and the continuing (fake) dates ready and the entire process took about 15 minutes.
She gave me a confirmation number and said she is sending it to the rate desk for the taxes and carrier charges. The base rate I was quoted was $2,389. The next step is that I call back tomorrow to find out the total and they will hold the reservation for me until Friday 8/5.
Here is my DONE4:
MPM- xDOH-SIN-(SIN- DPS surface sector)DPS-HKG-MNL-SAN-YYC-SAN (SAN-LAX surface sector)- LAX-LHR-BUD-LHR-JNB
When I confirmed with her that I could change the dates, she made the comment that it would be tricky because this is a discounted fare and therefor there would be less availability. Has anyone had experience with date changes? I am assuming that you book it as soon as the calendar opens up...or at least as soon as you can.
This was really easy. So, either they are going to come back with reasons why it can't be done OR all of the help an input I got from you all made it work.
I'll keep you posted! Thanks all! And a big thanks to pandaperth!
I just got off the phone with AA RTW office. After I told the lady where I would be departing from she laughed and said that she had been booking a lot of these tickets this week.
I had all of my flights, departing date and the continuing (fake) dates ready and the entire process took about 15 minutes.
She gave me a confirmation number and said she is sending it to the rate desk for the taxes and carrier charges. The base rate I was quoted was $2,389. The next step is that I call back tomorrow to find out the total and they will hold the reservation for me until Friday 8/5.
Here is my DONE4:
MPM- xDOH-SIN-(SIN- DPS surface sector)DPS-HKG-MNL-SAN-YYC-SAN (SAN-LAX surface sector)- LAX-LHR-BUD-LHR-JNB
When I confirmed with her that I could change the dates, she made the comment that it would be tricky because this is a discounted fare and therefor there would be less availability. Has anyone had experience with date changes? I am assuming that you book it as soon as the calendar opens up...or at least as soon as you can.
This was really easy. So, either they are going to come back with reasons why it can't be done OR all of the help an input I got from you all made it work.
I'll keep you posted! Thanks all! And a big thanks to pandaperth!
(was the AAgent called Rebecca by any chance? She dealt with my DONE6 as was a real pleasure to interact with
)I have never had a problem changing dates on a business class RTW; if you were trying to change today for a flight tomorrow then maybe, but a reasonable time into the future should be no problem.
Edited to add:
You can check the status of your booking on-line. You will see when it has been priced and so can then pay.
#322




Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 104

I have never had a problem changing dates on a business class RTW; if you were trying to change today for a flight tomorrow then maybe, but a reasonable time into the future should be no problem.
Edited to add:
You can check the status of your booking on-line. You will see when it has been priced and so can then pay.
Edited to add:
You can check the status of your booking on-line. You will see when it has been priced and so can then pay.
#323




Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 7,021
Update:
I just got off the phone with AA RTW office. After I told the lady where I would be departing from she laughed and said that she had been booking a lot of these tickets this week.
I had all of my flights, departing date and the continuing (fake) dates ready and the entire process took about 15 minutes.
She gave me a confirmation number and said she is sending it to the rate desk for the taxes and carrier charges. The base rate I was quoted was $2,389. The next step is that I call back tomorrow to find out the total and they will hold the reservation for me until Friday 8/5.
Here is my DONE4:
MPM- xDOH-SIN-(SIN- DPS surface sector)DPS-HKG-MNL-SAN-YYC-SAN (SAN-LAX surface sector)- LAX-LHR-BUD-LHR-JNB
When I confirmed with her that I could change the dates, she made the comment that it would be tricky because this is a discounted fare and therefor there would be less availability. Has anyone had experience with date changes? I am assuming that you book it as soon as the calendar opens up...or at least as soon as you can.
This was really easy. So, either they are going to come back with reasons why it can't be done OR all of the help an input I got from you all made it work.
I'll keep you posted! Thanks all! And a big thanks to pandaperth!
I just got off the phone with AA RTW office. After I told the lady where I would be departing from she laughed and said that she had been booking a lot of these tickets this week.
I had all of my flights, departing date and the continuing (fake) dates ready and the entire process took about 15 minutes.
She gave me a confirmation number and said she is sending it to the rate desk for the taxes and carrier charges. The base rate I was quoted was $2,389. The next step is that I call back tomorrow to find out the total and they will hold the reservation for me until Friday 8/5.
Here is my DONE4:
MPM- xDOH-SIN-(SIN- DPS surface sector)DPS-HKG-MNL-SAN-YYC-SAN (SAN-LAX surface sector)- LAX-LHR-BUD-LHR-JNB
When I confirmed with her that I could change the dates, she made the comment that it would be tricky because this is a discounted fare and therefor there would be less availability. Has anyone had experience with date changes? I am assuming that you book it as soon as the calendar opens up...or at least as soon as you can.
This was really easy. So, either they are going to come back with reasons why it can't be done OR all of the help an input I got from you all made it work.
I'll keep you posted! Thanks all! And a big thanks to pandaperth!
#324




Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 104
#325




Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,093
FWIW, while I used to really work to maximize my mileage earning, not so much anymore. I do my trips for travel purposes, including a couple short DFW-EGE-LAX flights, not to mention SYD-MEL. Even doing that I still way over the 75K RDM/ticket threshold so am splitting earning between BAEC and AAdvantage. I'll earn a lot more with BAEC on AA coded RTW flights than with AA and need the BA flights to qualify for BAEC Gold.
I know through CX web site I can change my FF number for all segments online, which I just did for my current AONE3 ex-NRT that was purchased from CX. I think I can do the same thing on AA's web site. I have no need to use different FF numbers for connecting flights or other reason to change my FF number at the last minute, so hopefully for my next RTW ticket, an AA issued AONE4 ex-MPM, this will be easily done on aa.com; or if not, then make a quick call to AA RTW desk to do so.
Start with AA FF #
Fly MPM-DOH-xORD
Change to BAEC FF #
ORD-DFW-XEGE-LAX-xJFK
Change to AA FF #
JFK-HKG-XHKT-HKG-xLHR//ARN-HEL-xPRG
Change to BAEC FF #
PRG-LHR-CPT
As far as the discussion and supposition on ticket numbers and AA 75K max, I'll let others be the guinea pigs on that one and will be very grateful for the info from their experiences. Until then I'll check out BAEC Gold.
#326




Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,093
Correct, or more importantly according to AA you have no flights between Europe and the Middle East.
#327
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 16,679
I just set up an AONE4 with the AA rtw desk with the following for next June (ticket sent to the rate desk for pricing tomorrow):
MPM-DOH-CDG-LHR-LAX-JFK-HKG-HND-HKG-JNB
They were initially concerned about the DOH-CDG-LHR-NA but finally decided that was ok as long as I was not trying to fly back to the ME before proceeding on to NA. They would not allow MPM-DOH-LHR-DXB-LHR-NA. I know I have segments available but this was just a placeholder and I will do a change later.
MPM-DOH-CDG-LHR-LAX-JFK-HKG-HND-HKG-JNB
They were initially concerned about the DOH-CDG-LHR-NA but finally decided that was ok as long as I was not trying to fly back to the ME before proceeding on to NA. They would not allow MPM-DOH-LHR-DXB-LHR-NA. I know I have segments available but this was just a placeholder and I will do a change later.
#328




Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,093
Europe Middle East 4*
*not more than 2 of which may be between the UK and ALBANIA, ALGERIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, CYPRUS, GREECE, MIDDLE EAST, MOROCCO, ROMANIA, RUSSIA west of the Urals, TUNISIA, TURKEY, UKRAINE.
*not more than 2 of which may be between the UK and ALBANIA, ALGERIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, CYPRUS, GREECE, MIDDLE EAST, MOROCCO, ROMANIA, RUSSIA west of the Urals, TUNISIA, TURKEY, UKRAINE.
#329
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 16,679
I am aware of the rule which is why I was routing thru CDG. I have exactly 0 segments right now between the UK and the ME. I have 1 segment between France and the ME. With the DOH-CDG-LHR-DXB-LHR-NA added to my existing routing I would have 2 segments between the UK and ME. That rule was not their concern -- it was segments between EUR and ME with Africa on the ticket.
#330




Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,093
Darn typos. Meant to type DOH-CDG-LHR-DXB-LHR-NA as DOH-CDG-LHR is the routing I currently have.
I am aware of the rule which is why I was routing thru CDG. I have exactly 0 segments right now between the UK and the ME. I have 1 segment between France and the ME. With the DOH-CDG-LHR-DXB-LHR-NA added to my existing routing I would have 2 segments between the UK and ME. That rule was not their concern -- it was segments between EUR and ME with Africa on the ticket.
I am aware of the rule which is why I was routing thru CDG. I have exactly 0 segments right now between the UK and the ME. I have 1 segment between France and the ME. With the DOH-CDG-LHR-DXB-LHR-NA added to my existing routing I would have 2 segments between the UK and ME. That rule was not their concern -- it was segments between EUR and ME with Africa on the ticket.



