Refund of unused additional segments
 

Three questions regarding the treatment of additional segments on RTWs:

1. If the first international leg of an AOWE3 with a seventh additional segment in the US ($150 in M) has been flown, and if AA then change their timetable and introduce for the first time a direct flight between MIA and SAN which I'd like to take instead of the ticketed MIA-DFW-SAN, there'll be no problem changing the itinerary without fee. My question: if this results in only six US legs instead of seven, is there any way to have the $150 refunded?

2. If the AOWE3 hasn't yet begun, I assume the entire ticket could be re-issued without the seventh leg, though this is a major hassle and presumably it all has to be re-priced and any new rule changes would take effect. Correct?

3. Do additional segments need to be included at the point of purchase, or can they be added subsequently with an additional payment?



[This message has been edited by Full Score (edited 10-07-2003).]

1. If AA has introduced a direct flight and you choose to take that, I can't imagine why they wouldn't charge you $75 for the re-issue. If that saves you a $150 extra segment, you'll net the $75 difference.

2. Yep, except it probably isn't a major hassle. You give them your ticket and some time later they give you a new ticket. You're right about rule changes if there are any of importance since the first issue.

3. You can add or subtract segments later. Afaik you can add or subtract continents later, but someone who really knows should pontificate on that one. Whether or not it's a hassle at any time is pretty much at the whim of the rate agent.

JohnAx, on point 1:

If a ticket shows MIA-DFW, connecting to DFW-SAN, why would AA need to reissue this if I ask to fly MIA-SAN direct, as long as it doesn't break the "only one trans-continental flight" rule? The intended destination hasn't changed.

And, if they do reissue it and charge $75 as you suggest, I doubt they would refund the balance of $75 unless it's being re-priced, and they would only do this if the ticket hadn't yet been used - then the full $150 would be saved.

Has anyone had experience of doing this, please?

When AA re-issues the ticket it will also reprice the ticket as if you had the new itinerary submitted on the day you bought the initial ticket. One should not be done without the other.

You have 3 choices:

- Reissue the ticket after you take the first segment. You will be charged 75 bucks but will get your 150USD back after a reprice. They will also charge any new taxes that have been enacted since you bought the initial ticket. The rules from the initial purchase date are in effect.

- Reissue the ticket before the first segment. You are basically refunding your ticket and starting over. You would get your whole 150usd back asssuming nothing else (rules, exchange rates, taxes) has changed and would the ticket would need to follow the current rules.

- Make a seperate reservation for MIA-SAN non-stop and simply hand the agent the 2 coupons when you check in for the flight. Probably not allowed under the rules, but would certainly not be less costly to AA then doing option 1 or 2.


I would go with option 3. Reissues are just too much of a pain.

rich

It's a direct, not a non-stop. Just book AA 2091 seperately for each segment of the direct if you want that flight.

I agree with Rich, though, that it's too much hassle than its worth. Basically, you will get back $75. It will probably take upwards of 3-4 hours of your time and potentially quite a bit of aggrevation. Personally, I wouldn't bother. Also consider that depending on when you bought the ticket, you might end up paying the fees that start back up in the near future. Something like a security fee? That could whittle away your $75 savings if you haven't paid it and I don't know that they would ask you for it at this point.

Thank you all for your helpful responses.

On point 3, do additional segments (7 and maybe 8) need to be included at the time of purchase, or can they be added after travel has begun, obviously with an additional payment at that time?