Changing onward reservations /// and AA LAX-JFK
 

Two questions which I'd love people's help with:

1. I've just bought an AONE3 ex-CAI which I shall be picking up in CAI shortly. The ticket has already been issued. I now need to change some of my itinerary (not the initial flights - some flights later in the itinerary). Rather than messing around asking the hard-working people in the BA Cairo office to re-ticket me, can I simply call BA in the UK and have them change the reservations, and then have a BA ticket desk at LHR re-ticket me later on? (NB the changes are not complex - just a couple of flights on a rather quick global itinerary).

2. What is the difference between the First Class product AA offers between LAX-JFK and LAX-EWR? I understand it must be something, because people here are obsessed by it - but I note that both flights are operated by 767s, so one would expect some similarity. And if the JFK flight is so much better, has anyone found a good trick for a BA frequent flier to get availability in A on this route (none is showing now for the day I need, while EWR is wide open).

Many thanks in advance for your help!

The trick for availability is to have AA EXP status (often that isn't enough, depends on the flight). BA Gold won't be quite enough. It is hard to get because these tickets sell for real dollars. The food and service is much better than EWR-LAX, however how much fuss is it worth? As for changing your reservations, they can be done by any Oneworld airline after the first flight (with a USD 75 fee if changing any routings). Changes before the first flight are free but pick up any rule changes that may have occured after ticketing. Date changes are free any time.

But considering that some folks have had problems having ex-CAI tix re-issued because the taxes are not always shown (and others have had no such problems, apparently) if you have time to have CAI make the change, you might avoid problems by doing so. A little gift to your agent might soothe any guilt you acquire in the process.

Looking at routing changes myself, I have to decide if I want to drive to LAX (basically an hour each way), Fedex tix to BA in Florida, or Fedex them back to CAI.

BE aware also that the BA ticket desks at LHR will charge GBP25 in addition to the USD75 change fee for anything that involves a ticket reissue. This is a typical example of "ripodff Britain" as far as I am concerned - why should I pay twice for the same work? No other OW airline that I am aware of does this.

I think - for the time being at least - I'm only doing date changes. Do you think I can call BA in the UK to do this - even as my ticket is sitting in Cairo waiting to be picked up - and then get the stickers put on when I get to LHR?

If you only need to change dates (without changing the order of segments) then at least 80% of the time the ticket coupon will be accepted without stickering.

Of course, if you had issued the ticket open dated ...

LAX-JFK is 3 class service while LAX-EWR is 2 class service. Definately go LAX-JFK if at all possible, the service and food in first is better.
As for A class availablity, as the date gets closer you chances increase, however AA usually waits till the last minute to release an A class seat. Good luck.