AONEx From ICN Reservation made with AA
 

I have made a booking and received Fare Quote in Korean Won from AA RTW Desk but they require the ticket to be issued in South Korea..has anybody else encountered this problem and can advise how to proceed.

I am presently in Java.

Not technically a "problem" - the rules allow you to get the ticket issued anywhere you want, however, unless you are issuing the (ex-ICN) ticket in Canada you will pay the higher of the 2 fares (between the fare for ICN and the fare for where you issue the ticket - which will generally be the fare for where you issue the ticket).

So - if you're okay paying the higher fare, get it issued anywhere you want (the RTW desk should be able to do it and charge you the US rate etc.)... If you want the ICN fare you'll need to use the AA GSA in ICN or a travel agent based in ICN. The GSA requires you to be present in person to provide payment (even via Credit card) - there is a travel agent that has been used somewhat successfully - if you want I'll PM you their contact detail. I have not used them yet - so it's at your own risk.

Good luck.

A question more than a suggestion really...

Wouldn't booking online at oneworld.com avoid this problem? I guess you'll have to take the AA code-share to NRT first before heading straight to the US/Haiwaii.

Am I right in assuming I don't need to be present in Korea to ticket an online AA booking made through oneworld?

I just booked an ex-ICN DONE4 with the AA RTW desk and had my travel agent in Canada claim the SABRE reservation and then issue the ticket on my behalf. 16 segments, and the cost came to around $5500CDN. If you do the legwork, he's more than happy to issue the ticket (as they are all electronic) for a $55 booking fee.

PM me for contact details.

Otherwise, you'll likely have to go the the AA GSA in Seoul to get your ticket.

The friendly travel agent in ICN told me that they no longer accept credit card payments as they have had fraud issues which they no longer want to deal with. Also the manager is a bit flaky, and can put you on an internal "do not sell to" list if you don't promptly reply with your CC details. They will accept wire transfers, but then you have limited protection in case of the ticket not being issued.

I found it much easier to deal directly with the AA RTW desk and then have my Canadian travel agent issue the ticket as he speaks english, is on email/msn/BB messenger, and can process credit cards very easily.

Two weeks ago I ticketed two ex-ICN DONE4s via the friendly agent in Korea whose contact details were PMmed to me, per the information in these two threads: AONE3 successfully booked ex ICN and 10% off *ONE* RTW & other OW fares [until 12 April 2009]. I had also looked into using a Canadian agent, but the one I found charged more than the Korean agent, and also charged for subsequent date changes, and insisted on making new reservations (claiming she couldn't take over one created by AA). Had I known about the one ACN Consultant used, that would have been different.

We paid about $4800 per DONE4, all told, including the 2.8% foreign currency surcharge. Had we been a little quicker and ticketed a few days earlier, we would have paid $4400, because the U.S. dollar has been dropping against the South Korean Won. I'll note that $5500 CDN is about $4360 USD at the moment (per OS X's calculator), which is better than either rate.

I hope the agent who ACN Consultant reports no longer accepts credit cards isn't the same one I used, because I found her very helpful and would like the option of using her again.

You also have the option of using the on-line booking tool. It purchases on the ticket "stock" of the first carrier, so if you use it, you either accept that it will ticket on a carrier other than AA (which may result in higher fuel surcharges) or force it to do so by making sure that the first flight has an AA code.

FYI: I flew into YYZ yesterday and purchased my AONE3 ex-ICN that commences March 1, 2010. As such all but the first segments are open dated and a paper ticket was issued. I learned from the YYZ Airport AA Ticket Agent that they always have problems when ticketing ATW tickets, and mine was no exception. As such she spent about 10-15 minutes on the phone with the AA ATW desk. Patience paid off and the ticket was issued successfully. So if anyone is going to Canada to purchase their ATW ticket, keep in mind that you will want to do it when the ATW desk is open for consultation.

AONE3 price ended up being about $6215.12 plus $422.06 taxes and fees (estimated USD at current FX rate plus 3% Visa FX fee).

A travel agency in South Korea ticketed my AONE4 ex-ICN on 24 March. I used a credit card against a USA bank. (I live in the USA.)

The process was quite efficient. I emailed the agency my desired, transcribed itinerary, which I had developed w/ the online tool. With a few phone calls and faxes using a very inexpensive calling card, and some emails, it was ticketed. The agency obliged my request to ticket via AA.

The agency in Seoul -- recommended to me by a fellow FT'er -- was very communicative and prompt.
I invite you to PM me if you would like contact info for the agency.

The cost at the time for the AONE4 ex-ICN was 9896700 South Korean Won, all-in, with the then-current exchange rate making it approx $7320US. This included the10% discount that was available at the time.

+1. I've heard of issues with credit card fraud via PM, however I've not experienced the same thing myself and have found the friendly Korean agent to be v knowledgeable and responsive.