Booking AA Flights - Use AA US or AA Aus?

[smckay]

For more expensive domestic fares, you can exempt two taxes on the domestic ticket if you also have an international ticket.

You have to purchase from a travel agent that knows how to do tax exemptions and they must be located outside of the US though, but in your example you could probably get rid of about 170 AUD in taxes.

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH all.ready.booked.
This flight was $200 AUD taxes.

But, we are staying 5 days in the US before checking out so hopefully we would not qualify for a tax exemption? (Even if we do qualify can you just say we won't to make me feel better )

 

[madrooster]

But, we are staying 5 days in the US before checking out so hopefully we would not qualify for a tax exemption?

You qualify by virtue of having an international ticket that bookends the domestics, irrespective of how long you stopover. Basically if you have an international ticket... (that can be train, ferry, cruise, flights...),, you're covered,

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I believe you can also book these flights via Expedia USA. Now yes I know, it’s generally not recommended to book via an OTA like Expedia, in the event of schedule changes as you have to deal with a middleman. However, i found the Expedia USA site would gladly take my Canadian credit card and billing address when the United Airlines website would not (or at least it would but then change the POS to Canada meaning paying more)

 

[Lynda2475]

I believe you can also book these flights via Expedia USA.

Generally not recommended as if you dont book direct with AA or certain preferred agents (which include One World Partners) then fares via OTAs are often ineligible for points or status credits.

 

[SYD]

Generally not recommended as if you dont book direct with AA or certain preferred agents (which include One World Partners) then fares via OTAs are often ineligible for points or status credits.

That’s only for AA members earning but they walked back (or ran back) from that change after a huge drop in forward bookings from TAs/OTAs….

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Generally not recommended as if you dont book direct with AA or certain preferred agents (which include One World Partners) then fares via OTAs are often ineligible for points or status credits.

This has not been my experience at all be it booking throw Expedia or AE Travel or CTM for that matter on AA flights.

For certain itineraries it can pay to not book direct and when you’re spending thousands on a fare it doesn’t hurt to look around and see if you can find a better deal. For instance, I once helped someone book India to Canada in business for $2,800 USD return on United. This price was only available through a U.S. point of sale like booking through the United USA website (which wouldn’t accept their Canadian address without switching to Canada Point of Sale which cost several thousand more). Luckily Expedia USA had no qualms letting us book through them.

-RooFlyer88

 

[madrooster]

Generally not recommended as if you dont book direct with AA or certain preferred agents (which include One World Partners) then fares via OTAs are often ineligible for points or status credits.

AA scrapped that and fired Vasu Raja over it too... heads certainly rolled, as the industry long expected when that change was initially announced. AA realised eventually, albeit a bit late, that you don't mess with the travel trade.