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 was 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.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

AA scrapped that and fired Vasu Raja over it too... heads certainly rolled, as the industry long expected when that change was initially announced.

Correct. Generally you should always be earning points and status regardless of where you book. Many corporates have policies which dictate that you must use their TA so what in effect AA was doing was saying, "don't fly us, you won't receive any recognition for doing so." Certainly not the best way to motivate its loyal customers to travel on them versus, say United or Delta.

But I don't think it's fair to be harsh on Vasu, either. Yes, that was certainly an error in judgement, but AA also has done positive things when it comes to earning status. For instance, you can earn AA status without setting foot on a plane thanks to their loyalty points scheme (which is the currency used to earn AA status) which can be earned in a number of different places. That for me is a true innovation, as just about every airline I'm aware of requires considerable flying on their planes (and partners) to earn status.

In any event, here's some interesting details about Vasu from an interview he gave recently surrounding his decision to target the travel trade. One particularly juicy bit from the article:

American is now walking away from direct selling, with Isom saying he expects the carrier to lose $1.5 billion this year due to the strategy. American has also seen its revenues decline and hasn’t been able to benefit from the resurgence in business travel.

AA realised eventually, albeit a bit late, that you don't mess with the travel trade.

I think more to the point, you don't mess with the travel trade in the presence of competition. If this was Qantas and not AA making the change, one does wonder whether it would be so much of a deal given the lack of competition on this market.

 

[elanshin]

I think more to the point, you don't mess with the travel trade in the presence of competition. If this was Qantas and not AA making the change, one does wonder whether it would be so much of a deal given the lack of competition on this market.

It would given a significant portion of people still book through TAs. Having every TA turn against you is something even QF can't afford. Whilst there are some monopolistic routes and options, for the most part there are plenty of options of choice especially when travelling overseas.

 

[Lynda2475]

but AA also has done positive things when it comes to earning status. For instance, you can earn AA status without setting foot on a plane thanks to their loyalty points scheme (which is the currency used to earn AA status) which can be earned in a number of different places. That for me is a true innovation, as just about every airline I'm aware of requires considerable flying on their planes (and partners) to earn status.

That to me is a turn off, IMO the only way to earn status should be by bum in seat flying.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

That to me is a turn off, IMO the only way to earn status should be by bum in seat flying.

I agree with you. However many airlines are changing to a solely revenue based model (e.g. Virgin Australia). If you fly 50,000 miles in coach with an airline that should mean something

 

[laffer]

How reliable are expedia for airfares? I probably trust them with respect to hotels but slightly more cautious with airfares.

There is self interest in the question. Currently pricing some very attractive fares on Cathay via Expedia that I cannot replicate with Cathay directly. Normally I would be content to pay a little extra $ to book directly but the differences are in the thousands which in and of itself makes me cautious.

 

[SYD]

How reliable are expedia for airfares? I probably trust them with respect to hotels but slightly more cautious with airfares.

There is self interest in the question. Currently pricing some very attractive fares on Cathay via Expedia that I cannot replicate with Cathay directly. Normally I would be content to pay a little extra $ to book directly but the differences are in the thousands which in and of itself makes me cautious.

What class? If you’re looking to credit Economy fares to QFF, looking very closely at the fare bucket and the CX earn table. A lot of discount Economy fares don’t earn at all with QFF (but you can have the same issue booking direct as much as an OTA).

 

[laffer]

What class?

Business.

I am not especially worried about status credits on oneworld or crediting points to QF for the flight given the fare difference between what QF is charging anyway but avoid booking OTA generally so am hesitant.

 

[RealtimeY]

Expedia is generally pretty reliable for air bookings as they don't pass it off to a third party like booking.com does. However, you could also try calling CX to book and seeing if they can replicate the price, as they don't charge booking fees.

 

[Gold Member]

How reliable are expedia for airfares? I probably trust them with respect to hotels but slightly more cautious with airfares.

There is self interest in the question. Currently pricing some very attractive fares on Cathay via Expedia that I cannot replicate with Cathay directly. Normally I would be content to pay a little extra $ to book directly but the differences are in the thousands which in and of itself makes me cautious.

Can you give us any clues to the routing etc? Promise it’ll be just between you and I.