> 6 AA segments - where to book?

[wrldtrvllr]

Looking to book a multi-trip itinerary for Nth America with AA but their online engine only allows 6 segments. Looking to optimise SC earning on a YUP fare so how can I get around this? Probably a dozen segments all up with embedded surface sector.

 

[serfty]

My suggestion is to try to vary the origin and destinations of each segment along with departure time, hoping intermediate ports will come up.

Another way is to make two separate bookings, this may or may not be more expensive.

e.g.

If you want LAX-DFW-ORD-MIA-TPA,FLL-MIA-ORD-DFW-LAX, try LAX-ORD-TPA and FLL-ORD-LAX.

 

[wrldtrvllr]

My suggestion is to try to vary the origin and destinations of each segment along with departure time, hoping intermediate ports will come up.

Another way is to make two separate bookings, this may or may not be more expensive.

I did try playing with the origin/destinations, avoiding using their usual hubs to force them to be an intermediate port. Still short on segments however.

Two separate bookings won't work as it contains an non-US international destination and one-way is more expensive than return...

Would calling them (locally or their RTW desk) help? Or would they more likely price up their unrestricted fares?

 

[moa999]

Are you sure the fare rules allow the multi-hop?

Note that non-US destinations (ie Canada, Caribeen, Mex book into Business not First)

 

[wrldtrvllr]

Are you sure the fare rules allow the multi-hop?

Note that non-US destinations (ie Canada, Caribeen, Mex book into Business not First)

the international flight books into business, all domestic segments book into first (or if there a 3 cabins, business); unlimited transfers allowed so a real SC earner if you are bothered to do a bit of twiddling...

 

[dk4]

Would calling them (locally or their RTW desk) help? Or would they more likely price up their unrestricted fares?

Australian AA services aren’t brilliant. Their call centre wait times are abysmal. And their website is not structured to deliver good value (restricted) First Class fares. In all instances I try to use VOIP to communicate with the US customer service desks, and the USA .com website to construct all bookings.

Two separate bookings won't work as it contains an non-US international destination and one-way is more expensive than return...

In regards to North American International Destinations, on Instant Upgrade itineraries, many of them are “round trip” only in the sense that they are round trip to/from the USA. So, often as long as I begin an “itinerary” in a US city, and end in another US city, I have found that it is possible to add Canada or the Caribbean into a journey, at the good value prices.

e.g. say you want to visit Toronto Ontario, while you are in The States. You create two separate reservations, but DON’T split them in two, at YYZ.

e.g. if you want to fly Los Angeles – Las Vegas – New York – Toronto – Atlanta – San Francisco – Los Angeles.
To use 2 multi-city bookings Do NOT try as; LAX-LAS-NYC-YYZ & YYZ-ATL-SFO-LAX

Rather try; LAX-LAS-NYC-YYZ-ATL & ATL-SFO-LAX. (or play around with the variations & add intermediary transit points to force cheaper fares: e.g. if NYC-YYZ doesn't have a good price, try forcing routing via ORD by adding it.)

Many Domestic Instant Upgrade fares, however, are unrestricted one way. So I generally don't encounter problems adding surface sectors, by splitting the reservations at US surface points. (I have even played with surface sectors in Canada & Jamaica, but with the PNR start and end points at different cities in the US, without being offered only full F fares.)

An exact idea of where you want to visit, would be helpful in offering advice.