Date changes on a pre devaluation AA Redemption

[skyhigh]

Hi,
I'm sorry if this has already been answered in other threads, I've had a read but not seen it answered.

I booked a flight from Sydney to the Middle East prior to the AA points being devalued. The trip is due to take place in October but it looks like I will now have to move it to April next year.

The trip initially cost me 130,000 points back in March before the devaluation but the same trip now would cost almost double at 210,000 points.

If I am only changing the dates and not the routing or airlines, will I be charged the difference in points? I've contacted the call centre but even they have given me conflicting answers.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Danger]

This is the definitive thread on AAdvantage: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....couple-questions-aadvantage-newbie-59133.html.

Date changes will not result in a re-evaluation of the points cost. Taxes may change but that's all. However, if you booked prior to the deval and you're hoping to travel in April next year, you may be beyond the ticket's validity. You won't be able to move the date of the ticket beyond 12 months from the date in which it was originally booked, not the original date of travel.

 

[skyhigh]

Thanks so much for replying. I was so focused on the points devaluation that I completely missed the fact that I was looking beyond of DOI.

That's great news about being able to change the dates. Do you have any advice on how I can convince the agents at the call centre of this?
I've called twice now and on both occasions I've been told that I would be charged the new points rate despite only wanting to change the dates.

I went onto the AA website to check the rules but there's barely any details at all to be found there.

What I did see is that if I decide to cancel the trip, I will at least get my points back.

Thanks for directing me to the other thread, there's a lot of information on there but it's going to take me a while to wade through it all!

 

[Danger]

The agents really shouldn't need convincing as it's simply policy. If you're calling Australia call the US instead. They are better trained.

 

[Kaiser]

I am on the phone at the moment trying to change a pre devaluation booking from SYD-HKG-AMS to a different date SYD-ADL-DOH-AMS.
First I was told it would be a re instatement fee and the new mile price of 85,000 instead of the original paid 60,000.
Now they're saying they'll waive the change fee but still charge me the new mileage rate. I was under the impression we were permitted to make routing/date and carrier changes - so long as the Origin and final destination remained the same. THey lady keeps telling me the SYD-ADL leg constitutes a destination change? I keep trying to explain that its not the final destination and only a routing change. urgh.

 

[serfty]

Are the the carriers in the original and change booking all oneworld?

If so then the agents are wrong¹.

It may help to explain that QR is a oneworld carrier - perhaps they are confusing with EY (which isn't)?


¹ (With AAdvantage bookings, there is a difference in "type" between a booking with all carriers being oneworld and a booking when non oneworld carriers are included. Such a difference would result in such an issue.)

 

[Kaiser]

Are the the carriers in the original and change booking all oneworld?

If so then the agents are wrong¹.

It may help to explain that QR is a oneworld carrier - perhaps they are confusing with EY (which isn't)?


¹ (With AAdvantage bookings, there is a difference in "type" between a booking with all carriers being oneworld and a booking when non oneworld carriers are included. Such a difference would result in such an issue.)

Thanks, yeah I did explain that as well. I just remained polite and patient and eventually she was able to fix it up after a call to her support team.

 

[mmchow]

I made a date change a few days ago on an EY flight and the agent that I spoke to was great and had it all sorted in less than 5 minutes. No change fee, taxes remain the same and no top up of points required. HUACA would be an option as well.

 

[serfty]

Thanks, yeah I did explain that as well. I just remained polite and patient and eventually she was able to fix it up after a call to her support team.

Good - it's great when we get the opportunity to help with the education of agents.

 

[travs]

I made a date change a few days ago on an EY flight and the agent that I spoke to was great and had it all sorted in less than 5 minutes. No change fee, taxes remain the same and no top up of points required. HUACA would be an option as well.

Wow thanks for this! My wife is trying to do this exact thing right now for an October flight.