I would prefer BA/CX/QF metal over AA. Even with the codeshares, I don't really want to lose BA Tier Points on the Transatlantic segments. Which other OW partners ticket AONEx from CPT?

CX, QF or BA from either CPT or JNB, but you'll pay more. I haven't heard of anyone succeeding in using IB in South Africa.

One possible work-around would be CPT/JNB - LHR/MAD - HEL - JFK, using the AA codeshare on AY for HEL-JFK. IIRC the prohibition on no BA TPs on AA transatlantic flights (all of 'em, not just UK - USA) does not extend to AY or IB.

Edited - oops, scratch AA codeshare idea. BA would nix the TPs. So you could ask AA CPT if it has to be AA coded TATL or if it just can't be BA.

MIA, ORD, JFK, BOS, WAS,...

BA charges fuel surcharges on all sectors, AA only charges for their own.

AA agents' fee ex-CPT is $30, BA ex-MRU is $300.

Starting from CPT what (VERY ROUGHLY) do you think the saving on AA on an AONE4 would be over BA?

Very roughly I'd imagine something in the 5-7% range, maybe as high as 8-10%, but awfully dependent on itinerary.

Off to the airport presently, heading for CPT.

But there shouldn't be any problem to switch to a BA flight once the ticket has been issued? If I book LHR-LAX on AA, I should be able to switch to the BA flight without a reissue.

True in the past 20 years; but starting in 2007 it has become increasingly difficult (even with non-OWE tickets). The whole endorsement process (which is needed without a reissue) has become more convoluted (or rather has moved from the back office which the airline took care of days after you flew, to the front office which you must take care of at the airport before you board). How much help you get seems to depend on how busy the airline is that day (so it can become a reissue).

:confused: :confused: Are you saying this rule is no longer valid as of last year?

My reading is that rule is still valid, it's just getting harder to employ in respect to carrier changes.

rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Well CX and BA in S Africa are not GSAs. (I guess as BA/Comair is a franchise you could argue this.) But they still have a firm rule: first intercon with us or bugger off. I also would like to hear the official line on this.

BTW, welcome back! I'm hoping the move from house arrest to what seems to be the wilderness represents progress.;)

Experience on any other OW airline?
 

I'm in the situation that I have fully fledge ticketing offices of virtually all OW carriers within 25km and that the fares from my country are only slightly more expensive than the cheapest ones (e.g. Sweden). Therefore the issue of fuel surcharges becomes the main determinant of the cost of my xONEx trip later this year.

I understand from your information as well as a few others that AA seems to be pretty reasonable and BA very expensive. Has anybody recent experiences booking xONEx through any of the other OW carriers? As I'll have quite a few IB, QF and AY segments, I'm in particular considering these, but also MA and RJ are possibilities.

When using the the Apollo, Sabre and Wspan Availability tools in KVS are all the A class seats showing as available normally easily bookable on AONEx tickets?

Also, is there a tool I can use to check the charges on each segment?

I flew on a AONE3 segment two weeks ago where I changed the carrier after initial ticket issue, and did so without a reissue. The other OW carrier lifted the electronic segment from the ticket just fine.

Of course it is supposed to work that way. The rules specify this. But, some check-in agents at some airports and airlines will simply not let you board. Then you can fight it out later, missing your flight. Hard to say how often this happens -- it used to be never, but it has happened to me. Maybe when a flight was oversold and this was an easy way to avoid IDB compensation. Something to keep in mind if you are on a tight schedule and simply cannot miss a specific flight. In practice tickets are not as endorsable as they should be by the rules (and past practice).