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choose to bundle your travel components into one package price we can offer you an unbeatable value by combining our unpublished low rates on flights with specially negotiated rates on hotels, activities and transportation.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
Mar 15, 2017, 2:16 pm
#526
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
Upfaring
Most of the packages I'm seeing now are booking into 'I'. Previously I had seen (and booked) some into 'D'.
Has anyone here tried upfaring from, say 'I' to 'D' when booking one of these? Could be worth it if the price premium isn't too high.
Cheers.
Has anyone here tried upfaring from, say 'I' to 'D' when booking one of these? Could be worth it if the price premium isn't too high.
Cheers.
Mar 15, 2017, 9:56 pm
#527
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Last OJ trip I booked at the end of January went into I for both directions. Selecting a D leg either way pushed the fare up from $2200 to $4k+.
Last edited by linglingfool; Mar 15, 2017 at 10:12 pm
Mar 19, 2017, 7:43 am
#528
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,039
I have to say, I feel like someone missing the "secret handshake" to access an elite club in this thread; every time I've ever checked AAvacations for reduced prices in J I can't find anything even remotely compelling...
Regards
Regards
Mar 19, 2017, 12:32 pm
#530
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
That said, I've never seen a good deal for SIN or SYD or AKL and the best deals are usually those distant European capitals that give cheap J fares in the other direction (Stockholm, Budapest, etc). It used to be London, which was very nice, but those fares seem to be running $3500 these days.
The rule of thumb that seems to work is that if there is a cheap J fare to somewhere at some time (see the Premium Run threads), then aavacations will often offer you that bargain basement fare through the whole season. But if there is no cheap fare there at all, then you're probably out of luck.
It would be interesting to hear other thoughts and experiences on where these deals come out best.
Mar 19, 2017, 1:27 pm
#531
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
I've found that its not that AAVacations will always have a great fare to a specfic destination. You won't always find, for example, LHR at a great deal. But, you will commonly find LHR on AA Vacations at a lower price in J combined with a hotel than you will find it on AA.com booking on it's own. So its not that you'll find amazing deals in J class flights that will make you want to book a trip to whereever, its more that if you're going to whereever and want to fly in J, you may be better off booking on AA Vacations than on AA.com.
I also recently noticed that AA.com was wanting ridiculous $1600+ R/T for a trip to BCN from the US in economy in April. Found it on AA Vacations for $924 including hotel & the cancellation voucher and surprising even with SWU space confirmable at booking. Hotel wasn't all that great but it was worth it and won't be a throwaway hotel.
I also recently noticed that AA.com was wanting ridiculous $1600+ R/T for a trip to BCN from the US in economy in April. Found it on AA Vacations for $924 including hotel & the cancellation voucher and surprising even with SWU space confirmable at booking. Hotel wasn't all that great but it was worth it and won't be a throwaway hotel.
Mar 19, 2017, 1:29 pm
#532
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
Are you looking for reduced prices compared to AA.com or reduced prices in general? What you will typically find on AA Vacations is the former and not the latter. It may not be compelling enough on its own to justify taking a trip though.
Mar 21, 2017, 6:57 am
#533
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,039
Regards
Mar 21, 2017, 11:40 am
#534
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
And don't forget that buying through the AA vacation site can give you two additional non-price advantages 1) you can often avoid the minimum stay requirements of a fare that is available on the regular American site ( I am often able to get Sunday to Friday flights for a fair basis code that clearly requires a Saturday night stay ) and 2) for a very small fee you can make the ticket entirely refundable via the $129 waiver that American aa offers ( so if your meeting, I mean vacation, plans change you can refund the ticket for an effective cost of only $129 ( sometimes for a fair basis code that is entirely nonrefundable or subject to a $500 fee on the American site)
Mar 21, 2017, 2:47 pm
#535
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,963
And don't forget that buying through the AA vacation site can give you two additional non-price advantages 1) you can often avoid the minimum stay requirements of a fare that is available on the regular American site ( I am often able to get Sunday to Friday flights for a fair basis code that clearly requires a Saturday night stay ) and 2) for a very small fee you can make the ticket entirely refundable via the $129 waiver that American aa offers ( so if your meeting, I mean vacation, plans change you can refund the ticket for an effective cost of only $129 ( sometimes for a fair basis code that is entirely nonrefundable or subject to a $500 fee on the American site)
Mar 21, 2017, 7:47 pm
#536
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC
Programs: AA Exec Plat, RCplatinum, Hyatt diamond
Posts: 196
I'm a believer now. Was planning a trip from CLT to MAD in May. Lowest biz fare from CLT was $4826. Found JFK fares from $1900 and was resigned to book those as well as CLT-JFK. I read about AA vacation fares and checked.
Had intended to use SPG points to book the Westin but checked the lowest package using the minimum 3 nights for hotel. Had to double check when I found direct biz fares on AA and 3 nights hotel for $1950 each. Was sure it was a mistake but booked and got confirmation. $3900 on a direct flight vs. $9600.
Nice tip!
Had intended to use SPG points to book the Westin but checked the lowest package using the minimum 3 nights for hotel. Had to double check when I found direct biz fares on AA and 3 nights hotel for $1950 each. Was sure it was a mistake but booked and got confirmation. $3900 on a direct flight vs. $9600.
Nice tip!
Mar 21, 2017, 7:52 pm
#537
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 493
I'm a believer now. Was planning a trip from CLT to MAD in May. Lowest biz fare from CLT was $4826. Found JFK fares from $1900 and was resigned to book those as well as CLT-JFK. I read about AA vacation fares and checked.
Had intended to use SPG points to book the Westin but checked the lowest package using the minimum 3 nights for hotel. Had to double check when I found direct biz fares on AA and 3 nights hotel for $1950 each. Was sure it was a mistake but booked and got confirmation. $3900 on a direct flight vs. $9600.
Nice tip!
Had intended to use SPG points to book the Westin but checked the lowest package using the minimum 3 nights for hotel. Had to double check when I found direct biz fares on AA and 3 nights hotel for $1950 each. Was sure it was a mistake but booked and got confirmation. $3900 on a direct flight vs. $9600.
Nice tip!
Mar 23, 2017, 4:53 pm
#540
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san clemente ca
Programs: AA,DL
Posts: 374
I killed it on my may trip to AMS from LAX. AA/BA fare in 6k+++ I got J class for all in just over 3k. And I could of gone one BA metal on the LAX LHR leg or AA metal. All In I class.