Award Ticket Change

[IronBird]

Hi Everyone,

Just seeking some clarification about changing an AA award ticket. I recently locked in a ticket to the US before the devaluation. I'd rather do this trip in April 2017. I understand that 'Once ticketed, you'll have one year from the date of ticketing to complete all travel unless otherwise noted'.

What I'm wondering about is what exactly is the 'date of ticketing'? Is this the date I fly, 17 October 2016 or the date the the ticket was issued (24 Nov 2015)? If we have to go this year that's fine but just wondering if it's possible to go later.

Thanks,

Ironbird

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Date of ticketing = the date the ticket was issued.

 

[IronBird]

Thanks - that's what I thought.

Cheers,

 

[JohnK]

I have a BNE-SYD-HKG award ticket in business. I now want to add HKG-BKK as well. Is that possible?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have a BNE-SYD-HKG award ticket in business. I now want to add HKG-BKK as well. Is that possible?

It's possible provided it remains within applicable routing rules... but it won't be free unless you hold an eligible AA status.

 

[JohnK]

It's possible provided it remains within applicable routing rules... but it won't be free unless you hold an eligible AA status.

This is an award ticket booked over the phone and would involve CX flights which doesn't appear online anyway. They have waived the fee in the past. See how we go this time.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This is an award ticket booked over the phone and would involve CX flights which doesn't appear online anyway. They have waived the fee in the past. See how we go this time.

The change fee is USD150. The phone booking fee is additional, which they waive in various circumstances.

 

[JohnK]

The change fee is USD150. The phone booking fee is additional, which they waive in various circumstances.

Added on HKG-BKK sector on CX. Still costs 35,000 AA miles so no change fee payable. Taxes recalculated and have to pay AUD10.50 extra.

Good result and my AA miles are now finished. Will miss Aadvantage post devaluation.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

If you change routing, I'm sure they have to technically 're-issue' the ticket. I know this changes the date of ticketing as it has happened with my current existing award but does this mean my new ticketed date stated on the website actually extended my original award?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Added on HKG-BKK sector on CX. Still costs 35,000 AA miles so no change fee payable. Taxes recalculated and have to pay AUD10.50 extra.

Good result and my AA miles are now finished. Will miss Aadvantage post devaluation.

re bold text - I think you were lucky You have changed the origin or destination - that's what triggers the change fee, not the fact that the miles were the same as before. That being said I also escaped the fee (was quoted the charge but it never appeared on my CC) for adding an intra-asia sector onto a ticket from Australia.

 

[JohnK]

re bold text - I think you were lucky

You might be right. She appeared to be reading from scripted text and mentioned there is a USD150 change fee if the number of miles changes. I knew that miles wouldn't change and as she was processing the change I mentioned there shouldn't be a change fee and she sort of hesitated but then confirmed no change fee only change in taxes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You might be right. She appeared to be reading from scripted text and mentioned there is a USD150 change fee if the number of miles changes. I knew that miles wouldn't change and as she was processing the change I mentioned there shouldn't be a change fee and she sort of hesitated but then confirmed no change fee only change in taxes.

I believe the rule is something like the change fee is avoided if the origin and destination remain the same and the award type remains the same... or words to that effect. 'Award type remains the same' = sAAver stays as sAAver (and not upgraded to anytime or v.v.).

 

[smit0847]

You are very lucky not to have been charged the 150 change fee.

 

[JohnK]

You are very lucky not to have been charged the 150 change fee.

Sometimes it is not just luck. It is also being able to state a case. Not a bad record.

 

[incumbent]

Sometimes it is not just luck. It is also being able to state a case. Not a bad record.

When you state an incorrect case, and are successful anyway, that's luck.