Feb 19, 2016, 1:49 pm
Last edit by: SpammersAreScum
AA Vacations / aavacations.com Flight and Ground Packages
Trust American Airlines to offer you the perfect package at the best price, guaranteed! When you choose to bundle your travel components into one package price we can offer you an unbeatable value by combining our unpublished low rates on flights with specially negotiated rates on hotels, activities and transportation. So, whether you're looking for a quick flight plus hotel weekend getaway or an all-inclusive package complete with flight, hotel, ground transportation and tickets to local attractions, you can rest easy knowing the entire trip is covered by our Lowest Price Guarantee.
FAQ
Q. Do these earn AA EQM and Award Miles (RDM)? Will they earn EQD (EQ Dollars) in 2017?
These generally book into discount paid fare buckets, so "Yes" at this time. There are a few promotional offers that do not earn EQM; these will clearly say so, so read thoroughly. See:
Special fares: Earning Award Miles and Elite Qualifying Credits on aa.com
and
Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, oneworld, partners 2016
and this for the changes affecting Award Miles coming in the latter part of 2016.
Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners later 2016
Q. Can I upgrade these with AA upgrade instruments (e500 "stickers", miles and copay, SWU)?
Currently, yes. These would follow the standard AA upgrade rules.
Q. Can I use AAdvantage Award Miles to "pay" for a vacation?
Yes. You can "pay" with money (cards, etc.), AAdvantage miles or a combination of both.
Q. So, what kinds of fares are ineligible for earning AA miles?
Exceptions (aa.com)
Q. What about EQM and Award ("Redeemable") Miles earning later in 2016?
AA has specified a set of "Special Fares", which includes AA Vacations:
Note that the Special Fares page also says, "AAdvantage elite member bonuses will be applied in addition to the percentages shown for award miles."
Q. What fare classes do First and Business packages book into?
Typically A for international First, A or P domestic F, and I or D international Business.
Q. What if I'm flying on a flight on a partner airline?
AA Vacations most often books into AA "code shares" / AA marketed flights. In that case, you'll earn miles as if flying on American. If it doesn't, you'll earn per the agreement AA has with the partner airline. Start here to look them up.
Q. What advance purchase restrictions are imposed?
Most advance purchase, minimum stay, etc. normally imposed by the airline don't apply; the restrictions are those imposed by AA Vacations. (Detailed Fare Rules for your fare generally do apply, however.)
Q. Are the trips or fares refundable?
Generally not fully refundable. Hotels and ground activities are generally not at all, and air will depend on the fare bucket and detailed rules. AA vacations does offer protection, but hotels etc. may not be included.
"There are two types of protection available: We offer the Cancellation and Change Waiver (Pre-Departure Protection) which allows you to cancel and/or change either the land or air portion of their package without penalty. Trip Protector (Post-Departure protection) from Allianz Global Assistance can provide protection for your trip expenses, your health and your belongings."
A waiver is usually $129.
Q. What is the shortest time I can book an air-hotel package for?
It appears three nights is the shortest period allowed by aavacations.
Q. Can I book a ten day package with only three days of prepaid hotel?
Sure. You'll have to call to do so, however.
Q. Is only one hotel offered?
No. A variety of properties is generally offered, but this will of course affect pricing.
Q. Does the hotel have to be in the destination city?
No. You can book a property in another city if it's offered by AA Vacations.
Q. What happens if I don't use the ground part (hotel, car, etc.)? Will they cancel my return flights?
Nothing. You can use it or forget it. No flight cancellations ensue. See AA Vacations - not checking in at Hotel Some purposely book the cheapest pricing for their trip knowing they're choosing a "throwaway hotel" they won't use.
Though one AA Vacations agent actually said "always book with us and just book the cheapest hotel for 3 days and throw it away", don't you say it's your intent.
Q. Will AA Vacations cause problems for me?
If you disclose your intent to AA Vacations to "throw away" (not stay at) the hotel, they can not sell you the package. So, don't.
Q. Will the hotel cause problems for me?
Not likely; they're paid for a prepaid stay whether you stay or not, as they get to keep the money and have "your" room to sell.
Q. Will I earn points at the hotel? Will they recognize my status?
Many chains don't recognize third party bookings for points or stay credit, but will usually recognize your status. Properties will treat as prepaid booking.
Q. Are there ever deals or promos?
Indeed. There are often sales and promotions; look for them on the site.
Q. What if I want to book open jaw or customize?
Calling can do that. There's a $39 call fee, unless it's not able to be booked online. Others have said you can generally calculate the price of an open jaw itinerary by adding half the price of pricing for vacations to the arrival and departure cities and adding those.
Q. Can I put these on "hold" while I think about it since these include air fare?
No. But: Refund of Air Ticket Portion Within 24 Hours of Purchase
Within 24 hours of booking, you are allowed to cancel your refundable or non-refundable air ticket for a full refund (and no change fees and/or difference in fare) subject to the following rules:
Q. My AAdvantage credit card earns double Award ("Redeemable") Miles on AA purchases. Will AA Vacations purchases earn 2x miles?
No. What transactions are eligible to earn double AAdvantage® miles?
Eligible American Airlines purchases are items billed by American Airlines as the merchant of record booked through American Airlines channels (aa.com, American Airlines Reservations, American Airlines airport, in-flight and city ticket counters). American Airlines tickets purchased through other channels or that are a component of any other cruise or tour package do not earn the additional mile purchase bonuses. Products or services that do not qualify for the additional bonus miles include car rentals, hotel reservations, American Airlines Vacations packages, purchases of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, duty free purchases and or AA Cargo℠
Q. Do these earn AA EQM and Award Miles (RDM)? Will they earn EQD (EQ Dollars) in 2017?
These generally book into discount paid fare buckets, so "Yes" at this time. There are a few promotional offers that do not earn EQM; these will clearly say so, so read thoroughly. See:
Special fares: Earning Award Miles and Elite Qualifying Credits on aa.com
and
Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, oneworld, partners 2016
and this for the changes affecting Award Miles coming in the latter part of 2016.
Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners later 2016
Q. Can I upgrade these with AA upgrade instruments (e500 "stickers", miles and copay, SWU)?
Currently, yes. These would follow the standard AA upgrade rules.
Q. Can I use AAdvantage Award Miles to "pay" for a vacation?
Yes. You can "pay" with money (cards, etc.), AAdvantage miles or a combination of both.
Q. So, what kinds of fares are ineligible for earning AA miles?
Certain airline tickets are not eligible for earning mileage credit. These include, without limitation, the following: all tickets issued as AAdvantage awards or other free ticket promotions including free or reduced rate tickets; companion tickets; charter flight tickets; travel agency/industry reduced rate tickets; infant tickets; items occupying a purchased seat; unpublished fare tickets, including consolidator fares, tickets issued as a result of a fare published inadvertently or by mistake and tickets issued subject to special provisions.
Link to AAdvantage Terms and Conditions
Link to AAdvantage Terms and Conditions
There are certain airline ticket types that are not eligible for mileage accrual regardless of the booking class. These include, without limitation, the following:
Q Are there any types of tickets that won’t earn award miles?
Yes, tickets that currently do not earn award miles, elite-qualifying miles or elite-qualifying segments will not earn award miles in the future. This includes:
Q Are there any types of tickets that won’t earn award miles?
Yes, tickets that currently do not earn award miles, elite-qualifying miles or elite-qualifying segments will not earn award miles in the future. This includes:
- All tickets issued as AAdvantage awards
- Other free ticket promotions including free or reduced rate tickets
- Companion tickets
- Charter flight tickets
- Travel agency/industry reduced rate tickets
- Infant tickets
- Extra seats or items occupying a purchased seat
- Unpublished fare tickets, including consolidator fares
- Tickets issued subject to special provisions
AA has specified a set of "Special Fares", which includes AA Vacations:
Some fares (such as bulk or consolidator fares) earn award miles and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) at a modified rate based on a percentage of the distance flown as determined by the booking code.
Special fares are often purchased through a specialized agent, third party or as part of a package including air transportation and lodging.
Examples:
Special fares are often purchased through a specialized agent, third party or as part of a package including air transportation and lodging.
Examples:
- Bulk fares
- Cruise fares
- Consolidator fares
- Discounted or inclusive tour packages
- Vacation packages, including American Airlines Vacations® (AAV) packages
- Other tickets where the fare isn't disclosed, excluding bookings made through priceline.com or hotwire.com where the carrier isn't disclosed before buying
Q. What fare classes do First and Business packages book into?
Typically A for international First, A or P domestic F, and I or D international Business.
Q. What if I'm flying on a flight on a partner airline?
AA Vacations most often books into AA "code shares" / AA marketed flights. In that case, you'll earn miles as if flying on American. If it doesn't, you'll earn per the agreement AA has with the partner airline. Start here to look them up.
Q. What advance purchase restrictions are imposed?
Most advance purchase, minimum stay, etc. normally imposed by the airline don't apply; the restrictions are those imposed by AA Vacations. (Detailed Fare Rules for your fare generally do apply, however.)
Q. Are the trips or fares refundable?
Generally not fully refundable. Hotels and ground activities are generally not at all, and air will depend on the fare bucket and detailed rules. AA vacations does offer protection, but hotels etc. may not be included.
"There are two types of protection available: We offer the Cancellation and Change Waiver (Pre-Departure Protection) which allows you to cancel and/or change either the land or air portion of their package without penalty. Trip Protector (Post-Departure protection) from Allianz Global Assistance can provide protection for your trip expenses, your health and your belongings."
A waiver is usually $129.
Q. What is the shortest time I can book an air-hotel package for?
It appears three nights is the shortest period allowed by aavacations.
Q. Can I book a ten day package with only three days of prepaid hotel?
Sure. You'll have to call to do so, however.
Q. Is only one hotel offered?
No. A variety of properties is generally offered, but this will of course affect pricing.
Q. Does the hotel have to be in the destination city?
No. You can book a property in another city if it's offered by AA Vacations.
Q. What happens if I don't use the ground part (hotel, car, etc.)? Will they cancel my return flights?
Nothing. You can use it or forget it. No flight cancellations ensue. See AA Vacations - not checking in at Hotel Some purposely book the cheapest pricing for their trip knowing they're choosing a "throwaway hotel" they won't use.
Though one AA Vacations agent actually said "always book with us and just book the cheapest hotel for 3 days and throw it away", don't you say it's your intent.
Q. Will AA Vacations cause problems for me?
If you disclose your intent to AA Vacations to "throw away" (not stay at) the hotel, they can not sell you the package. So, don't.
Q. Will the hotel cause problems for me?
Not likely; they're paid for a prepaid stay whether you stay or not, as they get to keep the money and have "your" room to sell.
Q. Will I earn points at the hotel? Will they recognize my status?
Many chains don't recognize third party bookings for points or stay credit, but will usually recognize your status. Properties will treat as prepaid booking.
Q. Are there ever deals or promos?
Indeed. There are often sales and promotions; look for them on the site.
Q. What if I want to book open jaw or customize?
Calling can do that. There's a $39 call fee, unless it's not able to be booked online. Others have said you can generally calculate the price of an open jaw itinerary by adding half the price of pricing for vacations to the arrival and departure cities and adding those.
Q. Can I put these on "hold" while I think about it since these include air fare?
No. But: Refund of Air Ticket Portion Within 24 Hours of Purchase
Within 24 hours of booking, you are allowed to cancel your refundable or non-refundable air ticket for a full refund (and no change fees and/or difference in fare) subject to the following rules:
- You must call 800-321-2121 within 24 hours of purchase to cancel the air ticket reservation and request a refund of the air ticket.
- The reservation must have been booked at least 7 days before scheduled departure.
- This policy does not apply to hotel or other non-air portions of the package. Standard cancellation policies will apply to all non-air components of the package.
- Refunds are only issued for tickets booked on aavacations.com or with American Airlines Vacations Reservations.
Q. My AAdvantage credit card earns double Award ("Redeemable") Miles on AA purchases. Will AA Vacations purchases earn 2x miles?
No. What transactions are eligible to earn double AAdvantage® miles?
Eligible American Airlines purchases are items billed by American Airlines as the merchant of record booked through American Airlines channels (aa.com, American Airlines Reservations, American Airlines airport, in-flight and city ticket counters). American Airlines tickets purchased through other channels or that are a component of any other cruise or tour package do not earn the additional mile purchase bonuses. Products or services that do not qualify for the additional bonus miles include car rentals, hotel reservations, American Airlines Vacations packages, purchases of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, duty free purchases and or AA Cargo℠
(lower right wiki corner)Updated 20 Aug 2016 by SpammersAreScum
AA: Reduced J Prices to Europe when purchasing via AA Vacations
Jan 7, 2016, 2:25 pm
#196
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
The email you were sent from AAvacations when your ticket was issued will have the fare class listed.
Otherwise, go to AA.com and sign in, look under my trips for the itinerary and then click on the "print trip and receipt" button and it will show there.
Otherwise, go to AA.com and sign in, look under my trips for the itinerary and then click on the "print trip and receipt" button and it will show there.
Jan 7, 2016, 2:51 pm
#198
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
It seems that F is pretty regularly available West Coast to LHR (and some places beyond), using codeshare to get BA A380 (not that it is the best F out there...) for $4800 ish. Pretty much in line with a last minute corp business class fare, if you know what I mean.
Jan 13, 2016, 12:08 pm
#199
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
A couple of interesting things I have learned as I went to change an existing booking (I class both ways):
(1) If you have purchased the waiver, you can make a change up to 8 days prior to departure. I was calling to see what a post-departure change to the return would cost and was told "hey, why dont you do it now, it would be free"
(2) the free predeparture change isn't as helpful as it sounds. It turns out that if you do that, it appears to refare the outbound to what is currently available to AAvacations. In my case, I is no longer available on the outbound (in fact only A is), so it raised the price quite a bit and I didnt make the change.
(3) the change to the return that i was looking to make was available in "I" (I6 according to EF) but the agent said "you should make up your mind, there is only one seat in I." That leads me to believe that the "I" bucket these folks see is a subset of what "I" values really are through other channels (like AA.com).
(4) It's $350 to make a change once outbound traveled. What I am interested in is whether once that is done, will I be able to call AA directly (not AAvacations) and have access to the full "I" bucket that I can see via EF?
I may fly the outbound and give this a try, I have some backups handy in the event that one of the many, many routings BRU-SEA that show "I" available both on AAvacations and EF are not available once I have departed.
(1) If you have purchased the waiver, you can make a change up to 8 days prior to departure. I was calling to see what a post-departure change to the return would cost and was told "hey, why dont you do it now, it would be free"
(2) the free predeparture change isn't as helpful as it sounds. It turns out that if you do that, it appears to refare the outbound to what is currently available to AAvacations. In my case, I is no longer available on the outbound (in fact only A is), so it raised the price quite a bit and I didnt make the change.
(3) the change to the return that i was looking to make was available in "I" (I6 according to EF) but the agent said "you should make up your mind, there is only one seat in I." That leads me to believe that the "I" bucket these folks see is a subset of what "I" values really are through other channels (like AA.com).
(4) It's $350 to make a change once outbound traveled. What I am interested in is whether once that is done, will I be able to call AA directly (not AAvacations) and have access to the full "I" bucket that I can see via EF?
I may fly the outbound and give this a try, I have some backups handy in the event that one of the many, many routings BRU-SEA that show "I" available both on AAvacations and EF are not available once I have departed.
Jan 15, 2016, 9:32 pm
#202
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum/OW Sapphire, Delta Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 89
Well lucky to have seen this thread. I some time off coming and was trying to decide where to go. Venice for Carnevale it is! If I booked a throw away hotel for now, I can change it later if I decide to use one of theirs later, yes?
Jan 16, 2016, 11:14 am
#203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,404
For reference, I just called AA Vacations and booked Y on the outbound, and J on the return. (The VIP upgrade on the o/b is a shoe in.)
This is also a trip that spans 5 nights, but I only have 3 nights of hotel.
This is also a trip that spans 5 nights, but I only have 3 nights of hotel.
Jan 17, 2016, 10:40 pm
#204
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: HH Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 137
I am thinking of booking one J trip using AA vacations for myself, and having my wife come along on a separate economy ticket (using an SWU upgrade) or maybe using a mileage award for her. Of course, the AA vacations would then give me a hotel room for "one" person, not two. Has anyone done anything like this, and successfully put two persons in the hotel room? My guess is no one has tried this . . . so I may just call AA vacations to see what they think about this. I guess worse case I can do an economy ticket for my wife through AA vacations on the phone (doesn't seem like you can do separate fare classes in one booking through the AA vacations website).
Jan 18, 2016, 2:07 am
#205
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,036
So yes, you can take your wife to a hotel room booked for one person.
Jan 18, 2016, 6:43 am
#206
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Gold; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meliá & HH & Marriott Gold
Posts: 5,450
In some places and at some hotels it is normal for an additional charge to be levied for a second guest. The easiest way to check is probably by making dummy bookings on the hotel's own site. Alternatively, try a "hotel only" booking via one of the OTAs. In many countries it should be easy to find a hotel that charges per room rather than per person.
Jan 18, 2016, 6:58 am
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,231
I had my partner join me in the hotel that I booked via VacAAtions as he had separate travel arrangements. it was not an issue at all.
If necessary, you can tell them the travel agent made a mistake. If there's an extra fee (not common, but certainly possible - usually only when breakfast is included) then just pay it.
And make sure the room you select is not a single room!
If necessary, you can tell them the travel agent made a mistake. If there's an extra fee (not common, but certainly possible - usually only when breakfast is included) then just pay it.
And make sure the room you select is not a single room!
Jan 18, 2016, 7:02 am
#208
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: BAEC, AAdvantage, AMEX Plat
Posts: 108
Picture this: You arrive in Europe feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep in a lie-flat bed. At baggage claim you encounter a beautiful woman and strike up a conversation. You have a lot in common (she's also from San Francisco) and you don't want the conversation to end. You boldly ask her to lunch. The conversation flows and since both your schedules are open the hours fly past. Soon you're enjoying a cocktail with her and devising plans for a romantic dinner. As dinner ends you're holding her hand. She gives you an unmistakable look and you lean in for a gentle kiss. Passion ensues and soon you find yourselves in your hotel room...
So yes, you can take your wife to a hotel room booked for one person.
So yes, you can take your wife to a hotel room booked for one person.
Jan 18, 2016, 7:18 am
#209
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,817
I am thinking of booking one J trip using AA vacations for myself, and having my wife come along on a separate economy ticket (using an SWU upgrade) or maybe using a mileage award for her. Of course, the AA vacations would then give me a hotel room for "one" person, not two. Has anyone done anything like this, and successfully put two persons in the hotel room? My guess is no one has tried this . . . so I may just call AA vacations to see what they think about this. I guess worse case I can do an economy ticket for my wife through AA vacations on the phone (doesn't seem like you can do separate fare classes in one booking through the AA vacations website).
Jan 18, 2016, 9:45 am
#210
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: HH Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 137
Picture this: You arrive in Europe feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep in a lie-flat bed. At baggage claim you encounter a beautiful woman and strike up a conversation. You have a lot in common (she's also from San Francisco) and you don't want the conversation to end. You boldly ask her to lunch. The conversation flows and since both your schedules are open the hours fly past. Soon you're enjoying a cocktail with her and devising plans for a romantic dinner. As dinner ends you're holding her hand. She gives you an unmistakable look and you lean in for a gentle kiss. Passion ensues and soon you find yourselves in your hotel room...
So yes, you can take your wife to a hotel room booked for one person.
So yes, you can take your wife to a hotel room booked for one person.
Last edited by Paul5795; Jan 18, 2016 at 9:53 am Reason: decency