A couple of questions from an AAdvantage newbie

[djfuzz]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Well, so much for that. Once again my online reservation has disappeared from my AA account page, so I can only presume that once again my attempt to book online using my local CC has failed.

May have to try again from the start using El Segundo.

[EDIT] Weird - looks like I may have spoken too soon. Just received the ticket, but still not showing up in my reservations. But that's peace of mind enough for now, and chalk up another win for the "Australia Card" method. Now I have to figure how to find the Amadeus reference for seat selection.

 

[DAC1]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Well, so much for that. Once again my online reservation has disappeared from my AA account page, so I can only presume that once again my attempt to book online using my local CC has failed.

May have to try again from the start using El Segundo.

[EDIT] Weird - looks like I may have spoken too soon. Just received the ticket, but still not showing up in my reservations. But that's peace of mind enough for now, and chalk up another win for the "Australia Card" method. Now I have to figure how to find the Amadeus reference for seat selection.

I've noticed that none of my award AA reservations ever show up in the reservations portal online. I wouldn't get too worried about it. As long as you have an e-mail and a record locator that once searched on the AA site shows a booking, you can be comfortable that you are ticketed.

Call up AA and they will give you the Amadeus reference too, thats what I've done every time, never had a problem that way!

 

[drron]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I get an email within an hour that starts this way-

Thank you for choosing American Airlines / American Eagle, a member of the oneworld® Alliance. Below are your itinerary and receipt for the ticket(s) purchased. Please print and retain this document for use throughout your trip.

then 24 hours later a second email-

We are confirming that the following AAdvantage[SUP]®[/SUP] award(s) have been issued from your account:

[TABLE="align: center"]
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[TD][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Your electronic award ticket(s) are being sent to the email address you provided during the booking process. If you haven't yet received your e-Ticket Confirmation email, it should be delivered shortly, along with answers to frequently asked questions. For hotel and car awards, you will also receive an email that includes a printable voucher for each award. Please be sure that [email protected] has been added to your online address book to help ensure delivery to your inbox.

We are glad you are using your AAdvantage[SUP]®[/SUP] miles and appreciate your business. However, if you did not authorize these miles to be deducted from your account, please contact us. In the United States and Canada, call 1-800-882-8880 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-882-8880 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (just say "AAdvantage Account" from the Main Menu). From other locations, call the local American Airlines reservations number or go to [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][url]www.aa.com/contactaa[/FONT][/URL][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] to send an email to AAdvantage Customer Service.[/FONT][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[serfty]

Since the recent AA website front page revamp, bookings made under your AAdvantage number but linked to, say your QFF number, will not show under "your bookings" on AA.com.

You need to look them up each time here: American Airlines Reservation Preferences | My Account |AA.com (Click "Find a Reservation").

Bung in your First name, Surname and "Record Locator" (SABRE (AA) booking reference).

 

[djfuzz]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Since the recent AA website front page revamp, bookings made under your AAdvantage number but linked to, say your QFF number, will not show under "your bookings" on AA.com.

You need to look them up each time here: American Airlines Reservation Preferences | My Account |AA.com (Click "Find a Reservation").

Bung in your First name, Surname and "Record Locator" (SABRE (AA) booking reference).

As per rabbits5's experience, my booking doesn't show up at all in my AA account (made under AA number). The Sabre Record Locator is good though (this time!) and I was able to get a working QF Amadeus PNR from an AAgent. But the initial problem compounded my uncertainty about the "Australia Card" CC method, which does seem to have worked okay. Shame it can't be done for CX bookings online too, but I guess you can't have everything!

 

[Danger]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I phoned AA in the US last night all ready to use the El Segundo method to pay for my award booking that was on hold. But it turned out I didn't need to.

First, the agent asked me to verify the address on my AAdvantage account. As that's the same address as my credit card address, I thought I was up the creek. But then the agent asked for my credit card details and didn't actually ask for the address the card was registered to. And it's all ticketed overnight.

 

[djfuzz]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I phoned AA in the US last night all ready to use the El Segundo method to pay for my award booking that was on hold. But it turned out I didn't need to.

First, the agent asked me to verify the address on my AAdvantage account. As that's the same address as my credit card address, I thought I was up the creek. But then the agent asked for my credit card details and didn't actually ask for the address the card was registered to. And it's all ticketed overnight.

I think I totally missed this - but I seem to recall reading somewhere that if you're an AA elite, the CC issue may be waived. Could this have been why? As I foolishly let my AAdvantage status dive, I didn't get a chance to confirm this (or convert the ample rotting 500 mile upgrade stickers I still have left).

 

[Danger]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I think I totally missed this - but I seem to recall reading somewhere that if you're an AA elite, the CC issue may be waived. Could this have been why? As I foolishly let my AAdvantage status dive, I didn't get a chance to confirm this (or convert the ample rotting 500 mile upgrade stickers I still have left).

I don't think so. Backtracking a bit, I made the booking through AA in the US on Monday Australian time. When it came to payment the agent asked if I had a US credit card and I said no to which I was told they couldn't take payment with a non-US card. I asked the agent to put it on hold and I'd phone AAustralia the next day (Tuesday) to pay.

So, earlier yesterday, when I phoned AAustralia, the agent told me it would be another AUD80 for booking with them. I said AA in the US told me USD75 (taxes) plus USD25 booking fee but no budge from them so I said never mind. Then I posted here and got some valuable tips. Ready to use those tips I phoned AA in the US again late yesterday afternoon WA time but this time didn't have the 'only US cards' issue. I don't know why. I'm fairly sure the USD25 was the booking fee so as a Platinum I still had to pay it. I think I just got lucky with the agent in the US yesterday.

On the 500 mile upgrade certs, I have 32 of them and seem to recall they will, somewhat relucantly, convert them to miles.

 

[serfty]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

As per rabbits5's experience, my booking doesn't show up at all in my AA account (made under AA number). ...

Just to clarify - do you have a QFF number or an AA number as the FF program in the booking?

My QFF numbered bookings no longer show up when logged in to my Advantage account, even though they were made under its auspices.

I now always have to use the PNR lookup page I linked to.

 

[djfuzz]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Just to clarify - do you have a QFF number or an AA number as the FF program in the booking?

My QFF numbered bookings no longer show up when logged in to my Advantage account, even though they were made under its auspices.

I now always have to use the PNR lookup page I linked to.

As I said, I have an AA number on the booking (the same account from which the miles were taken) - no QFF anything, QF is just the carrier for the award tickets.

So a QF award ticket booked with AA miles through my AA account doesn't appear in my reservations on my AA account - despite an AA record locator existing for that booking (and under which my AA account number is clearly listed). That is what I find to be weird - hasn't happened to me for any prior AA award travel.

 

[knasty]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

A related, but slightly off topic question. I booked several CX rewards using AA points. As Gold I had no issues with using Aussie credit card with Aussie address to pay the fees/taxes at the time of booking. I had to change one flight to later the same day and the operator said the taxes had increased by $2.50. When she tried to process my card the system rejected it. She said it should accept it but for some reason it didn't. She advised me not to worry - Cathay may ask me for the $2.50 at check-in or they may not.

I emailed Cathay giving them the facts, asking as the operating carrier whether there is an issue with this. They said I should call AA....

I don't care about the $2.50. What I'm concerned with is CX potentially requiring me to pay the $2.50 to AA at check-in, with no AA desk in SYD, and being denied boarding. The AA and CX PNRs both show 'Ticketed'. Should I be concerned, or not care?

 

[serfty]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

...

So a QF award ticket booked with AA miles through my AA account doesn't appear in my reservations on my AA account - despite an AA record locator existing for that booking (and under which my AA account number is clearly listed). That is what I find to be weird - hasn't happened to me for any prior AA award travel.

So with no AA flights on the booking - QF only. That's certainly a strange one.

I am thinking it's an AA.com interface issue.

 

[dfcatch]

Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Just to clarify - do you have a QFF number or an AA number as the FF program in the booking?

My QFF numbered bookings no longer show up when logged in to my Advantage account, even though they were made under its auspices.

I now always have to use the PNR lookup page I linked to.

3 of my 4 existing bookings (all with QFF number) are still listed under My Reservations.

The only one that isn't is the one that I paid for over the phone.

 

[serfty]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

3 of my 4 existing bookings (all with QFF number) are still listed under My Reservations.

The only one that isn't is the one that I paid for over the phone.

Hmmm ... I'll go back and recheck, my two current bookings were made about 10 months ago on the old website.

The stopped showing up under my AAdvantage login when they brought in that new booking 'skin' around spring.

 

[dfcatch]

Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Hmmm ... I'll go back and recheck, my two current bookings were made about 10 months ago on the old website.

The stopped showing up under my AAdvantage login when they brought in that new booking 'skin' around spring.

Ahh ok - my 3 "still showing" ones were made in the last few months.

It's my earlier one that isn't.

 

[vitagen]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I find that once you add your QF number to your AA Award it disappears off your AA account. Strange as on check my trip it shows both a QF and an AA FF number.

 

[dfcatch]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I find that once you add your QF number to your AA Award it disappears off your AA account. Strange as on check my trip it shows both a QF and an AA FF number.

I have only had this happen to AAwards NOT booked online. My others are all still there (even with the QF number in there).

I can of course always call them up with the PNR.

YMMV of course.

 

[serfty]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Hmmm ... I'll go back and recheck, my two current bookings were made about 10 months ago on the old website.

The stopped showing up under my AAdvantage login when they brought in that new booking 'skin' around spring.

Still does not work, but I implemented a GM script last year to provide a list. I just edit occasionally as new bookings are made/old bookings are flown.

// --------------------------------------------------------------------
//
// WHAT IT DOES:
// Provides a list of my AA booking references now that AA no longer stores them
//
// --------------------------------------------------------------------
// ==UserScript==
// @name           Save_AA_codes
// @namespace      http:://localhost
// @description    Provides a list of AA booking references now that AA no longer stores them
// @include        https://www.aa.com/reservation/viewReservationsAccess.do*
// ==/UserScript==

var datalistCode = new Array();   // this is where we are going to build our new script
   
document.title += " ( PNR )";     // tack on something to the title to show the script is working
 
// here's the build of the new script, one line at a time

datalistCode.push('<datalist id="AA_PNRs">');
datalistCode.push('  <option value="">');
datalistCode.push('  <option value="PNRno1">');
datalistCode.push('  <option value="PNRno2">');
datalistCode.push('  <option value="PNRno3">');
datalistCode.push('</datalist> ');
    
// now, we put the script in a new script element in the DOM
var dlist = document.createElement('datalist');    // create the script element
dlist.innerHTML = datalistCode.join('\n');         // add the code to it
datalistCode.length = 0;                           // recover the memory we used to build the script
    
// this is sort of hard to read, because it's doing 2 things:
// 1. finds the first <head> tag on the page
// 2. adds the new script just before the </head> tag
document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(dlist); 
//now change the record locator entry element attribute to a "list" and point it to the list
document.getElementsByName('recordLocator')[0].setAttribute('list','AA_PNRs');

 

[Princess Fiona]

Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

If I ring up AA can I ask them to remove my AAdvantage number from a reward booking and put in my QFF number?
I can't seem to be able to do it online and I would like to get a better choice of seat selection on CX ( I already have the Amadeus booking ref)

 

[dfcatch]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

If I ring up AA can I ask them to remove my AAdvantage number from a reward booking and put in my QFF number?
I can't seem to be able to do it online and I would like to get a better choice of seat selection on CX ( I already have the Amadeus booking ref)

This is my approach:

1/ Call AA and ask them to remove my AA number (they usually question this - but I just ask them to oblige me).

2/ I log onto AA.com and manually add my QF number (this gives me Status access to seat selection)

3/ I log onto QF MMB and using the Amadeus PNR I insert my QF number.


If the AAgent tries to insert your QF number it often won't work properly - more reliable to just have them remove and then insert it yourself.