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Latest News - June 2005 |
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Welcome to the American Airlines web pages for travel agents.
This is the AA News page for the month of June 2005.
Please use the links below to navigate to the topic of your choice,
and the links on the right to return to the Homepage, or to
navigate to other areas of the website.
Thank you for your continued support.
June 2005
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01 June: Storm Policy
For all information on procedures to follow for passengers affected
by storms (tropical or snow) please click on
Storm Policy.
Thank you.
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01 June: AAdvantage Promotions
For up-to-date information on all new and current Promotions being
offered by American Airlines AAdvantage® programme (e.g. Bonus
miles or double Miles promotions), please go to our
website: www.aa.com/offers
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01 June: Inflight Entertainment
Click on Movies to discover
AA's selections of inflights movies in June. Thank you.
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07 June: American Airlines Reminds Passengers About Baggage Embargoes
Summer is fast approaching and American Airlines and regional
affiliate, American Eagle, remind passengers about the box and
bag embargo on flights to certain cities from June 11 through
Aug. 14, 2005.
Customers traveling on American and American Eagle to certain
destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South
America will not be able to check boxes during the embargo period
due to heavy summer loads and high volumes of checked baggage to
specific destinations. There is a year-round box embargo for
flights from New York-JFK to all Caribbean and Latin America
destinations.
The baggage embargo applies to Guatemala City, Managua, Panama
City, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa and San Salvador in Central
America; La Paz, Maracaibo, Quito and Santa Cruz in South
America; Santo Domingo, Santiago, Port of Spain, Puerto Plata,
Port-au-Prince and Kingston in the Caribbean; as well as
Guadalajara, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi and Leon in Mexico.
All American Eagle flights to and from San Juan are also included,
and flights to and from Dominica and Grenada are subject to a more
restrictive year-round baggage allowance.
Oversize, overweight and excess baggage will not be accepted for
flights to the destinations covered by the bag embargo. Passengers
will be limited to a maximum of two checked bags, each not exceeding
62 linear inches (computed by adding the length, width and height of
the bag) and 70 pounds. One carry-on bag will be allowed with a
maximum size of 45 inches and a maximum weight of 40 pounds.
Sports equipment, such as golf bags, bikes and surfboards, can be
accepted as part of the total checked bag allowance, although
additional charges may apply. Walkers, wheelchairs and any other
assistive devices are welcomed for customers with disabilities.
American's intent is to provide the best customer service possible
and to consider the needs of all passengers. There are limitations
on the amount of baggage that can be carried, both in the cabin and
cargo areas, based on the size of aircraft. This year, the list of
affected cities has been narrowed and the embargo period
significantly shortened.
For more information, please see our baggage pages.
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07 June: Oneworld Debuts New Downloadable Timetable
Planning journeys around the world is now easier than ever, thanks to
a new and improved online timetable from oneworld, the leading
quality global airline alliance.
The alliance has released an upgraded flight-planning tool on its
Web site www.oneworld.com, enabling customers to download the
timetable of the vast oneworld network to their PCs or PDAs, or in
PDF format for printing. The timetable can also be downloaded from
the "Travel Information" section of the American Airlines Web site, www.AA.com.
Oneworld's eight partners - American Airlines, British Airways,
Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, LAN, Finnair and Aer Lingus - and
their 12 affiliates, including American Eagle and
AmericanConnection, together serve some 600 destinations in
134 countries worldwide with more than 8,000 flights a day.
In addition to schedules of the eight carriers and their affiliates,
the timetable also includes flights operated by other airlines under
codeshare arrangements with the oneworld partners, expanding still
further the network covered by the timetable.
Customers can check schedules online at www.oneworld.com, or
download a copy of the timetable to their PC or PDA. They can also
download the entire timetable in PDF format for printing, or just
print schedule details between any particular city pair.
Passengers can now travel across the entire network served by
oneworld member airlines on just one electronic ticket since
oneworld is the first airline alliance to extend interline
e-ticketing between all of its partners.
Members of American's AAdvantage® travel rewards program can
earn rewards and top tier qualifying points or miles on eligible
fares, as well as redeem mileage awards across oneworld's network.
Top tier cardholders have their privileges extended across all the
alliance's members, including access to some 400 airport lounges
around the world.
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07 June: Admirals Club One-Day Pass
Effective June 2, 2005 customers can purchase a One-Day Pass to an
Admirals Club online at AA.com. Prior to this initiative, customers
had to purchase these passes at an Admirals Club. AAdvantage®
membership is not required.
The pass is good for one, two or three people ($50, $75, or
$100 USD, respectively) and can be purchased for any date
beyond the date of purchase - up to 365 days out. (Purchases for
the current date must still be made in person at an Admirals Club).
Passes entitle user to receive all complimentary services of the
Admirals Club.
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07 June: Haiti Travel Warning
The US Government has issued a travel warning to the country of Haiti. Changes to current
reservations are allowed as follows:
Travel can be changed up to 24JUN05 for origination and must be booked in same inventory as
ticketed, no change fee or add collect if in the same inventory
Mileage award travel - refund of miles, no reinstatement fee
Non-refundable tickets can be refunded back to voucher only
Refundable tickets are handled as routine
All changes will be with no change fee, no penalty, and one
ticketed change is allowed.
Ticketed Travel Date: 31MAY05 -24JUN05
New Travel Date: up to 24JUN05 if travel has not begun this would
be new date of origination, if travel has begun, next segment can
be changed up to 24JUN05 also.
City/Airport/State: PAP
For full information, please call our Reservations Desk.
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07 June: La Paz (LBP) Boliva Civil Unrest Update
La Paz (LPB), Bolivia continues to experience civil unrest and
protestors are blocking routes to the city. They are demanding that
Bolivia's natural gas riches be nationalized and its constitution
re-written. Their Congress passed an energy law raising taxes and
breaking existing contracts with foreign oil companies. With this instability we will allow
customers travelling to/from LPB to change their reservations
with no add collect, no change fee up to 16JUN05.
All changes will be with no change fee, no penalty, and one
ticketed change is allowed.
Ticketed Travel Date - 22MAY05 -16JUN05 up to 16JUN05 if travel
has not begun this would be new date of origination, if travel
has begun, next segment can be changed
New Travel Date - up to 16JUN05
City/Airport/State - LPB
For full information, please call our Reservations Desk.
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07 June: China GSA Offices
Effective June 1, 2005 all three GSA offices in China will have full
AA ticketing facilities. Previously customers would need to get
their tickets in the Hong Kong Office.
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08 June: Important Reminder MRP requirement effective this month - June 26
We would like to remind you that effective June 26, 2005 all travellers
from the 27 Visa Waiver Programme countries will be required to
present a Machine Readable Passport (MRP) when entering the United States.
A new "Questions and Answer" section regarding the Visa Waiver Programme is
available on the
Travel Documents page.
Additionially, more information on the new requirement can also be found below in
statement released by the U.S. Department of Homeland security.
We kindly ask you to inform your customers accordingly and we thank you for your cooperation.
May 12, 2005
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today reminded travellers from 27 Visa Waiver
Program (VWP) countries that as of June 26, 2005, they must have a machine-readable passport
to enter the United States without a visa, as mandated by Congress. Machine-readable passports
have a sequence of lines that can be swiped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers
to confirm the passport holder's identity quickly and to obtain other information about the
holder typically found on a passport's inside cover.
The Immigration and Nationality Act originally set October 1, 2003 as the date by which VWP
travellers needed to present a machine-readable passport. At the request of 23 of the 27 VWP
countries, the United States postponed that requirement until October 26, 2004, for those
requesting countries. For a limited period, DHS has been authorizing a one-time waiver for
entry into the country for VWP travelers without a machine-readable passport, at no charge to
the traveller. This limited period will end on June 26, 2005. Beginning June 26, 2005,
transportation carriers will be fined $3,300, per violation, for transporting any VWP
traveller to the United States without a machine-readable passport. Similarly, VWP travelers
arriving in the United States on that date without a machine-readable passport should not
anticipate being granted one-time entry into the country.
"The machine-readable passport benefits foreign visitors as much as it does homeland
security," said Randy Beardsworth, Acting Under Secretary for Border and Transportation
Security. "With one fast swipe, front line officers can pull up the information that
they need to process legitimate travelers quickly. At the same time, this immediate information
access enables our officers to focus even more on identifying and interdicting potential threats."
Since October 26, 2004, CBP officers have notified VWP travellers entering the United States
with a letter explaining the new entry requirements. In addition, VWP countries are working
closely with the United States Government to communicate information about these new
requirements to their citizens. Anyone from the 27 VWP countries thinking of travelling to the
United States is encouraged to check with their passport issuing authority to ensure they
are in possession of a machine-readable passport. As an alternative for persons with immediate
travel plans who are unable to obtain a machine-readable passport in time, the individual may
apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad.
The 27 countries participating in the VWP include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Any traveller from these 27
countries will need a machine-readable passport on June 26, 2005 to enter the United States.
Last year, approximately 15 million VWP travelers visited the United States.
The machine-readable passport requirements do not affect the separate congressionally
mandated deadline requiring VWP country passports issued on or after October 26, 2005,
to contain biometrics in order to be used for visa free travel to the United States.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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15 June: Simplified Unaccompanied Minor Service Charge
Effective Wednesday June 15, 2005, the unaccompanied Minor (UMNR)
Service Charge for all domestic and international travel, non-stop,
through or connection travel will change to USD 60.00 / CAD 81.00
each way.**
This change will simplify the Unaccompanied Minor Service Charge
by reducing the four different UMNR Service Charges to a single
service charge, regardless of the type of itinerary on which the
UMNR is traveling.
Unaccompanied Minor Service is popular with our customers and
frequently used for the convenience and cost savings it offers.
Without this service, many adults would otherwise need to travel
as escorts for their children. American Airlines, American Eagle
Airlines and American Connection are pleased to offer this
personalized level of service to our youngest customers, but
we must charge appropriately to cover the costs of ensuring
that minors are cared for properly and transported safely.
Simplifying the service charge structure will make it easier
for our customers to understand and easier for our agents to
administer.
**Exception:
For customers who made their reservation and purchased their ticket prior to June 15,
2005, and are paying their UMNR service charge on day of departure - the pre-June 15,
2005 fees apply (below):
For all UMNR information (including the new fee structure), please go to
our Minors page.
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16 June: Update to Admiral's Club one-day Passes
American Airlines Customers Can Purchase One-Day Passes To Admirals
Club Lounges At AA.Com
American Airlines wants every customer to
experience the comfort, elegance and relaxation offered at its
Admirals Club lounges worldwide. To make that possible, American's
customers can now purchase Admirals Club one-day passes online, at
www.aa.com/daypass.
The one-day pass is available for just $50, and can be used at
multiple lounges throughout the day of travel. Additionally, if a
customer decides to purchase an Admirals Club membership within 30
days of using a one-day pass, the previously paid pass fee
(up to $100) may be applied toward the annual membership cost.
The process is simple:
Purchase a one-day pass online at www.aa.com/daypass and print the
confirmation provided at the end of purchase or the e-mail
confirmation. Up to two additional passes for guests may be
purchased for an additional $25 per person.
Present your printed confirmation to any of American's 40-plus
Admirals Club locations throughout the world for access on the day of
visit.
Use your pass to access more than one club on the same day. If
traveling overnight, the pass is also valid at the first point of
arrival the following day.
"For a reasonable price, customers who want to relax or need a place
to work at the airport between flights can do so, or they can buy a
day pass for a friend or relative who will be traveling," said
American's Managing Director of Premium Services, Nancy
Knipp. "It's a great way for someone who has never experienced the
Admirals Club to sample the many amenities our lounges offer by
simply purchasing this product online."
Previously, one-day passes had to be purchased in person, during
business hours.
"Our customers continue to conduct more transactions online, and
we're excited to offer the time-saving convenience of the one-day
pass purchase at AA.com - 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said
Rob Friedman, Managing Director - Interactive Marketing, at American.
One-day passes must be purchased at least one day before use. Once
purchased, the one-day pass is non-refundable, non-changeable and
non-transferable. For terms and conditions and more information,
please visit www.aa.com/daypass....
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16 Jun: Japan Office Changes
This is to advise you that AA Tokyo office will be relocating to
the following location from June 27, 2005 and our reservation center
will be closed on June 25 (Sat) for relocation.
New Address
Hibiya Kokusai Bldg.
7F, 2-2-3, Uchisaiwaicho,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011
General Inquiries
Tel. 03-4550-2200
Fax 03-4550-2167
Executive Office
Tel. 03-4550-2101
Fax 03-5512-1280
Passenger Sales
Tel. 03-4550-2102
Fax 03-4550-2167
Marketing
Tel. 03-4550-2103
Fax 03-4550-2167
Reservations
Tel. 03-4550-2111
Fax 03-4550-2166
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16 June: oneworld partners take top honors in World Airline Awards
oneworld airlines have again taken more honors than carriers in other
alliances in the latest industry awards with Cathay Pacific taking
the overall top prize.
In the World Airline Awards, which organizer Skytrax claims are
based on the world's largest survey of passengers, the Hong
Kong-based carrier was named Airline of the Year, and picked up top
places as Best Airline in Asia and Best First Class.
British Airways, in fifth place in the overall Airline of the
Year listing, also picked up three trophies - for Best Business
Class, Best Transatlantic and Best in Europe. Qantas, which took
second place as Airline of the Year, took two top prizes - as Best
Transpacific and Best in Austral-Asia. LAN was named Best in South
America. Finnair was judged third Best in Europe (with unaligned
PGA Portugalia between it and first place BA). Malev, which has
signed a memorandum of understanding as its first step towards
joining oneworld, was third Best in Eastern Europe, behind
SkyTeam's CSA Czech and SkyTeam-bound Aeroflot.
Overall, oneworld's eight carriers took nine awards, with three
runners-up placings. Star's 16 members took one award and five
runners-up positions. SkyTeam's nine partners also received one
top place, with three shortlistings.
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17 June: American Airlines increases surcharge on International Nett Fares from the UK/Ireland
With the continuing impact of record oil prices, American Airlines
is increasing its Q surcharge. The increase will apply to all new
bookings made on/after 20 July 2005.
Please see Sales Support UK
and Sales Support Ireland
for a letter giving full details of this increase.
Thank you for your continued support.
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21 June: American Airlines Introduces Online Check-In For Interline Customers At AA.Com
American One of First Major Airlines to Offer Service for Passengers Connecting to Other Carriers
American Airlines has made it easy for its
passengers with connections to other airlines to check in at www.aa.com
and print boarding passes for all flights in their itinerary. Flight
Check-In at AA.com now makes it easy for domestic e-ticket passengers
with interline connections on eligible carriers to check in online
up to 24 hours prior to departure and print boarding passes, as long
as the flight originates on American, American Eagle or
AmericanConnection. Previously, customers with connections to other
carriers were required to check in for each carrier separately and
had to do so in person at the airport.
American Airlines passengers with connections to the following
carriers can now check in and get boarding passes online:
- Alaska Airlines
- Continental Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Northwest Airlines
- US Airways
- Midwest Airlines
"Our customers lead busy lives, so we're excited to be one of the
first major airlines to offer this time-saving convenience," said
Rob Friedman, Managing Director - Interactive Marketing, at American. "With our new
interline check in and boarding-pass issuance capability, customers can bypass airline
ticket counters for qualifying connecting flights and head straight to Security before
boarding at the gate. As always, passengers who have boarding passes but need to check
bags may do so at Curbside Check-In upon arrival at the airport."
The American Airlines Web site, www.aa.com, is the best place to
do business online with American. AA.com provides numerous ways
to conveniently search for and book low fares and award travel,
select seats, make hotel and rental car reservations, get flight
arrival/departure information, sign up for flight status
notification, and even check in and print boarding passes.
Customers who purchase tickets on AA.com pay no online booking
fee, receive up to 1,000 miles per ticket purchased, and get a
low-fare guarantee. Additionally, customers who log in with an
AAdvantage number and password can manage their AAdvantage account
online and also receive personalized news and specials. AA.com
has received the World Travel Award for World's Leading Airline
Internet Site and has also received multiple Web site awards from
various organizations.
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21 June: New Requirement For Digital Photos For Visa Waiver Travellers
The Department of HOmeland Security have issued a press release giving details of an
additional requirement for the Visa Waiver Programme. All VWP members will be required to
produce passports with digital photographs by October 26, 2005
For the full press release, please see Travel Documents
Thank you for your attention.
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28 June: Co-branded Club Agreement with QF in HNL for Admirals Club Member
Effective Monday, June 27, Admirals Club members and eligible
oneworld customers traveling to and from HNL will have access to
the existing QF airport lounge. Under an agreement with QF, we
will operate the lounge as a co-branded lounge, with AA staff and
operations between the hours of 1130-2230 7 days per week.
The Co-branded lounge is located Airside in the Ewa Concourse,
Level 3, above gate 26, a short 5-10 minute walk from AA's gate
operations across from the Garden Court at gates 16-20.
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Information contained on this website is subject to change at any time without prior notice.
American Airlines shall not be liable for any consequences resulting from your reliance on the information.
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