Higher Fares when Using US Gift Cards?
Aug 20, 2015, 11:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Scottsdale, Az.
Programs: US Gold & AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 216
Higher Fares when Using US Gift Cards?
Don't know if anyone else has run into this issue but I have run into twice now. Unlike AA, you must call in to book US flights when using a US gift cards. Just like when using companion certs, they waive the call in fee.
Here is the problem. Before calling in I shop for flights and pricing. Then I call to book. A $382 flight becomes $402. Rep says it's because the $382 is a "web" price. They say they have no way to adjust. What ticks me off is that I have no way of paying online and therefor, in essence, I am paying a premium for using a gift card. Of course there are no disclosures stating this when buying a gift card.
Anyone encountered this and where you able to find a way around it? Thanks.
Here is the problem. Before calling in I shop for flights and pricing. Then I call to book. A $382 flight becomes $402. Rep says it's because the $382 is a "web" price. They say they have no way to adjust. What ticks me off is that I have no way of paying online and therefor, in essence, I am paying a premium for using a gift card. Of course there are no disclosures stating this when buying a gift card.
Anyone encountered this and where you able to find a way around it? Thanks.
Last edited by Maz67; Aug 20, 2015 at 11:44 pm
Aug 21, 2015, 6:56 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,662
Just a thought. Are you possibly looking on the web for 1 traveler and the agent is looking for 2 or more, making the fare increase?
Aug 21, 2015, 10:41 am
#3
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
There is web only ticket pricing, on any number of airlines.
Some clearly disclose that it's web only pricing, others don't. The last one I ticketed did not disclose it was a web only price, but in looking over the detailed fare rules (I always do), the fares were: ALXARWEB/WEB, CLXWEB/WEB and PLWRWEB/WEB. THOSE are surely web fares.
Some clearly disclose that it's web only pricing, others don't. The last one I ticketed did not disclose it was a web only price, but in looking over the detailed fare rules (I always do), the fares were: ALXARWEB/WEB, CLXWEB/WEB and PLWRWEB/WEB. THOSE are surely web fares.
Aug 21, 2015, 11:08 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Scottsdale, Az.
Programs: US Gold & AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 216
Aug 21, 2015, 11:13 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Scottsdale, Az.
Programs: US Gold & AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 216
There is web only ticket pricing, on any number of airlines.
Some clearly disclose that it's web only pricing, others don't. The last one I ticketed did not disclose it was a web only price, but in looking over the detailed fare rules (I always do), the fares were: ALXARWEB/WEB, CLXWEB/WEB and PLWRWEB/WEB. THOSE are surely web fares.
Some clearly disclose that it's web only pricing, others don't. The last one I ticketed did not disclose it was a web only price, but in looking over the detailed fare rules (I always do), the fares were: ALXARWEB/WEB, CLXWEB/WEB and PLWRWEB/WEB. THOSE are surely web fares.
I submitted a complaint with AA/US customer service complaint department. I received a response saying I would need to call the gift card division for this issue. Have been too busy to call but will try this weekend or Monday depending on their hours.
Aug 22, 2015, 4:08 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
I had an AA paper voucher for $100 off and wanted to use it for a flight, but it couldn't be used online and there was a fee to call to book a ticket by phone. So I just went to an AA city ticket office in midtown Manhattan and used it for no fee.
Is something like that an option?
Is something like that an option?
Aug 22, 2015, 4:32 pm
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I had an AA paper voucher for $100 off and wanted to use it for a flight, but it couldn't be used online and there was a fee to call to book a ticket by phone. So I just went to an AA city ticket office in midtown Manhattan and used it for no fee.
Is something like that an option?
Is something like that an option?
Ah, a CTO! Not many of those around anymore. Maybe at an airport?
But the issue is there are web fares, and AA either has antiquated technology or is unwilling to modernize so vouchers and gift cards can be used online and not mailed to a Florida office or...
Aug 23, 2015, 9:40 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Scottsdale, Az.
Programs: US Gold & AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 216
I know they have the capability to honor web fares in situations where the customer is forced to call in. An example are the US Air companion certs. No way to use online. When I call in I always get the exact fare I had seen online just before calling.
When I call them in the next day or two I will hopefully know more.
When I call them in the next day or two I will hopefully know more.
Aug 28, 2015, 10:05 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Scottsdale, Az.
Programs: US Gold & AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 216
Finally was able to call the gift card line as customer relations instructed only to discover they can't help. Back to customer relations I go.
Aug 29, 2015, 11:47 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458
I have done this lateley, but I used to get excellent assistance for the US web support desk with these sorts of problems. The number is 800-327-7810. Hopefully, they can still help with web-based issues (such as gift card payment) and at least set up the reservation at the web fare for you.
