AA Advises Travelers To Use Agents

American Airlines is advising visitors to its website www.AA.com that Expedia and Orbitz no longer feature American Airlines’ fares and directs visitors to a separate Q&A page and urges them to competing Kayak.com or Priceline.com sites or to accredited agents. “Expedia has chosen to no longer feature American Airlines fares on its website. Customers looking to compare flights or fares online should visit other travel sites such as Kayak.com or Priceline.com for the most accurate and up-to-date information, or you can always find our Lowest Fares Guaranteed and No Online Booking Fee at AA.com. American flights can also be purchased from a wide range of accredited travel agencies across the globe.”

“Tickets for air travel on American remain available for purchase on Expedia, however, owing to a commercial dispute, Expedia's discriminatory fare display may mislead some customers to believe they have fewer choices, even in situations where American's fares are lower than other airlines, or when American offers superior schedules. As of December 21, 2010 schedules and airfares for flights on American Airlines and American Eagle are also no longer available on Orbitz.com or websites powered by Orbitz.com.”

AA said that airline tickets already purchased through any of these websites remain perfectly valid. In the event changes are required, travelers may contact American Airlines reservations directly by calling 1-800-433-7300.

AA urges travelers to use AA.com. “There are many options to shop and compare, however www.aa.com, is the best place to do business online with American Airlines. AA.com provides numerous ways to conveniently search for the most accurate and up-to-date information and to book low airfares and free award travel; select your seats; make hotel, rental car and cruise reservations; get flight arrival/departure information; request upgrades; sign up for flight status notifications; and check in and print your boarding passes.”

American also said it continues to provide its airfare content to thousands of travel agency partners, both through global distribution systems and through American's own direct connection technology that it is powered by Farelogix.

Are American's fares still available on Expedia? AA’s answer: “While tickets for air travel on American remain available for purchase on Expedia, it is making it more difficult for consumers to find American flights and fares on its website. This may lead consumers into believing that they have fewer choices, even in situations where American's fares are lower, and schedules are superior, than other airlines that are listed more prominently.”

As to why American's fares are not available on Orbitz, AA responded by saying: “We were unable to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with Orbitz that would provide customers with a full choice of American Airlines fares and schedules. As a result, Orbitz is no longer authorized to display our schedules or sell airline tickets for travel on American Airlines or American Eagle.” Orbitz for Business is also impacted, AA said. “Customers with negotiated corporate contracts with American may use another agency of record to access their discounted pricing with American. Business ExtrAA members have the additional option of using AA.com.”

To the question of American cancelling its participation in other online travel agencies AA responded by saying: “ American is a strong supporter of customer choice and continues to provide its airfare content to travel agency partners, both through traditional global distribution systems and through American's own direct connection technology that is powered by Farelogix.”

Visit www.AA.com.