Best way to book an American Airlines (ex US) flight

[DC3]

This Is Australian number for AA (02) 91019148 when I lasted used it

Is that still answered in Fiji? I did call there some years ago. I think that it was just in relation to a PNR.

Anyway, I used to follow the El Segundo method for payment on the AA (US) website, although that may no longer be necessary now. This is some years back, however.

Also, I always found the Oz AA website to be more expensive that the US site, although I recall that one or two AFFers thought the opposite.

 

[Oscarq]

AA telephone number I used recently is (02) 91011948 which is answered by overseas operator @Masonic Phantom

 

[Hbbar]

No issues booking though the US site, though you technically can't pay with an AU card - so you can either fudge your address, or if you want to be legit, select the "hold booking" option and then call the AU reservations number to pay over the phone. I do it all the time.

Main select is more of a bundle, you get other things other than it just being refundable. Similar to Starter Max with JQ.

Thank you!
Do you do it that way for the same reason, that the same refundable option doesn't appear to be available through the AU site?

 

[justinbrett]

Thank you!
Do you do it that way for the same reason, that the same refundable option doesn't appear to be available through the AU site?

No, because I usually book domestic First, and the Australian site is often about 20% more expensive.

Just a point, when you call to pay, say you're happy to pay in USD - otherwise they will convert to AUD which will cost you more. It's easier for them to charge in USD anyway.

 

[Travelqueen]

Hi there,

I need to book some internal USA flights with AA.
What is the best way to do this if I want to maximise SC?

Book on AA website and give Qantas FF number, or book thru qantas website ( actually not even sure if this is possible ??)

Thanks in advance,

TQ

 

[SYD]

Hi there,

I need to book some internal USA flights with AA.
What is the best way to do this if I want to maximise SC?

Book on AA website and give Qantas FF number, or book thru qantas website ( actually not even sure if this is possible ??)

Thanks in advance,

TQ

Don’t forget AS also for SCs and points.

You can book QF codeshares on QANTAS.com but only in conjunction with long haul flights in/out of the US. Can be reasonable value (and provides protection if flying onwards from say LAX/SFO/DFW same day).

If you just want standalone internal flights book direct on AS or AA.com (US website). Booking AS is pretty straight forward and I’m finding them cheaper than Aa for domestic First. The AA website will try and take you to the Oz website - and potentially charge you more.

Note that both AS and AA “First” on two class domestic planes earn “Business” SCs (if you’re using the QF calculator).

ITA Matrix is handy for finding cheap‘ish routes.

 

[justinbrett]

Hi there,

I need to book some internal USA flights with AA.
What is the best way to do this if I want to maximise SC?

Book on AA website and give Qantas FF number, or book thru qantas website ( actually not even sure if this is possible ??)

Thanks in advance,

TQ

Since the JV between AA & QF was signed there's almost no difference in the SCs earnt whether on a QF or AA/AS code. There are a few minor differences but nothing dramatic. In some ways being on the AA/AS codes and tickets are a lot easier because you can use their apps properly for seat selection and same day flight change.

Don't use the Australian AA site, it's more expensive, use the aa.com site (easiest to use google flights or similar which will then link you to the US site, because aa.com will redirect to the Australian site by default, otherwise you have to change it using the flag interface at the top).

 

[SYD]

use the aa.com site (easiest to use google flights or similar which will then link you to the US site, because aa.com will redirect to the Australian site by default, otherwise you have to change it using the flag interface at the top).

Even AA.com may still default to the AU website. The “flag” thing is language so just select “United Sates - English” (or “United States - Español“ if comfortable with Spanish).

 

[justinbrett]

Even AA.com may still default to the AU website. The “flag” thing is language so just select “United Sates - English” (or “United States - Español“ if comfortable with Spanish).

No it does redirect to to the various sites - if you select GB - English you go to www.americanairlines.co.uk

 

[SYD]

No it does redirect to to the various sites - if you select GB - English you go to www.americanairlines.co.uk

But does the UK site rip you off also?

I just use the US site and the “El Segundo” method (or use a Hotel address)…

 

[justinbrett]

But does the UK site rip you off also?

I just use the US site and the “El Segundo” method (or use a Hotel address)…

I'm sure it does, but this is how you can change from the au to the us site if you're not using a third party link (like google flights etc).

 

[SYD]

I'm sure it does, but this is how you can change from the au to the us site if you're not using a third party link (like google flights etc).

Ah, yes that‘s what I said earlier.

I thought you might have discovered a hack using the UK website!

 

[justinbrett]

Ah, yes that‘s what I said earlier.

I thought you might have discovered a hack using the UK website!

No you were saying it just changes the language - it doesn't, it changes the country.

 

[SYD]

No you were saying it just changes the language - it doesn't, it changes the country.

It does both. My example was US English or Spanish.

The drop down menu says;

“Choose the language you prefer”​

But more important to be on the US site for best prices.

 

[justinbrett]

It does both. My example was US English or Spanish.

The drop down menu says;

“Choose the language you prefer”​

But more important to be on the US site for best prices.

*sigh*

Yes it does both, but it's the method to swap between the AU and US sites, which is why I brought it up in the first place.

The way it's constructed you have to click on the flag/language to change the country - which is what I meant by "flag interface". I realise it allows you to change the country and the language, I'm only talking about the former.

 

[Hbbar]

No issues booking though the US site, though you technically can't pay with an AU card - so you can either fudge your address, or if you want to be legit, select the "hold booking" option and then call the AU reservations number to pay over the phone. I do it all the time.

Main select is more of a bundle, you get other things other than it just being refundable. Similar to Starter Max with JQ.

I followed your suggestion and did the hold. She still asked for my address giving payment though! I added a 0 to my postcode as per some of the earlier posts, and all good...

 

[justinbrett]

I followed your suggestion and did the hold. She still asked for my address giving payment though! I added a 0 to my postcode as per some of the earlier posts, and all good...

It's fine to give them an Australian address - there's no need to fudge it on the phone, and they'll take Australian post codes (no need to add a zero).

You only need to fudge it if using the US site directly and saying your country is the US.

 

[Hbbar]

It's fine to give them an Australian address - there's no need to fudge it on the phone, and they'll take Australian post codes (no need to add a zero).

You only need to fudge it if using the US site directly and saying your country is the US.

The girl didn't sound sure, she was suggesting she might have to do it in AUD if the zip code didn't work.

 

[justinbrett]

The girl didn't sound sure, she was suggesting she might have to do it in AUD if the zip code didn't work.

Nah I never fudge my address over the phone, it works fine. I haven't ever been questioned on it either (usually they are glad because it saves them a step of converting the amount into AUD)

Glad you got it all done though

 

[Lynda2475]

I booked a bunch of AA domestic first last week, per @justinbrett advice i used the flag to force US site, put on hold, called Aus call centre (which is actually in Manilla), told him i wanted to pay in USD, gave aussie address and card no worries. No need to fudge anything. Ticket issues within 10 secs.

Only limitation is that when you go to MMB on AA.com you can add email for flight chnages but not a mobile number it only accepts US/Canada/uK numbers. So once i get my new travel sim will add a US/UK number.