Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Discontinued Programs/Partners > American Airlines | AAdvantage (Pre-Consolidation with USAir)
Reload this Page >

Effect of turning 65 and using the "senior" option on aa.com? (Yes, sometimes)

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Effect of turning 65 and using the "senior" option on aa.com? (Yes, sometimes)

 
Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 22, 2010 | 7:37 pm
  #16  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: AA 1MM Gold, AS MVP Gold. Happily ex-1K, ex-Exec Plat, ex-DL Diamond for 5 years each
Posts: 628
Originally Posted by AGSF
It is interesting. The discounts are not offered on all flights, but they are out there.

Southwest offers senior fares on all flights. Sometimes their "get away" fares are better, but the senior fares are really great for last minute travel.
Its no coincidence, I would wager, that DFW-AUS is a route on which AA competes heavily with Southwest.
ldpeters is offline  
Old Jan 22, 2010 | 8:43 pm
  #17  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Indian Harbour Beach, Fla, USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plt
Posts: 1,986
Originally Posted by lexington
I'm about to turn 65, and notice on the aa.com reservation page that I should now check the "senior" rather than "adult" box. Does anyone know the effect of this? Discount airfare for seniors? Inability to sit in exit rows?
The text on the website switches to an easier to read, larger font?
greggwiggins is offline  
Old Jan 22, 2010 | 9:04 pm
  #18  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,946
They obviously do not know why I fly - I haven't found any difference on my predilect routes.

The senior coupons - I'd say those were the bomb, but the TSA would then have their way with me... THOSE were discounts!

Originally Posted by dstan
Interesting! The adult fare L26D is $138 base. The senior fare Q65SRD (Eligibility - VALID FOR SENIOR CITIZEN 65 OR OLDER WITH ID. NOTE - APPLIES TO PASSENGERS AT LEAST 65 YEARS OF AGE WITH ID.), which is not listed on ExpertFlyer, is $93 base. Both have $10.70 tax/fees.

Last edited by JDiver; Jan 22, 2010 at 10:22 pm Reason: corect mispeling
JDiver is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2010 | 8:14 am
  #19  
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: QDF
Programs: AA EXP (2MM), Marriott Tit
Posts: 1,047
Wirelessly posted (Treo: BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.297 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Originally Posted by dstan
Originally Posted by AGSF
American absolutely does offer special senior fares. As do Continental, and Southwest. Others may offer them, but I know for sure these three airlines offer them.

Senior fares are often flexible and refundable. And you can still sit in the exit row.

If you want one example of a senior fare, price a one-way from DFW to AUS this Sunday on flight 1239. Price it for a senior, then ask for a non-senior price. You'll see the savings is in the neighborhood of $50.
Interesting! The adult fare L26D is $138 base. The senior fare Q65SRD (Eligibility - VALID FOR SENIOR CITIZEN 65 OR OLDER WITH ID. NOTE - APPLIES TO PASSENGERS AT LEAST 65 YEARS OF AGE WITH ID.), which is not listed on ExpertFlyer, is $93 base. Both have $10.70 tax/fees.
The L26D fare is refundable and changeable without penalty (subject to L availability). Is that true of the senior fare?

(L26D fares seem to be specifically designed to match WN. I buy them all the time ex-DFW to AUS, SAT, IAH, LIT, TUL, OKC, MSY, etc.)
PlatinumScum is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2010 | 10:59 am
  #20  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New York City
Programs: American Airlines EXP 1.99 MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, IHG Plat Ambassador, UA 1K
Posts: 231
Southwest discounts fares

I know that my aunt uses the Senior option on Southwest and gets discount fares... usually around $10 cheaper.
gizmodell is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2010 | 12:30 pm
  #21  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: montreal canada
Programs: AA lifetime gold, BA, AC, CX, AS, DL, AF(gold), IHG(plt), SPG(gold), HHONORS, .
Posts: 358
Originally Posted by lexington
I'm about to turn 65, and notice on the aa.com reservation page that I should now check the "senior" rather than "adult" box. Does anyone know the effect of this? Discount airfare for seniors? Inability to sit in exit rows?
MX has discount senior fares. I have just used it last month in business class.

Michael
yulmichael is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2010 | 12:36 pm
  #22  
KVS
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Arrow

Originally Posted by PlatinumScum
The L26D fare is refundable and changeable without penalty (subject to L availability). Is that true of the senior fare?
Yes:

[KVS Availability Tool 5.1.8/Diamond - TVN: DFW-AUS/AA/Q65SRD/*]
Code:
SENIOR CITIZEN FARE

[PENALTIES]
FARE RULE NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. CHANGES ARE
PERMITTED PROVIDED APPLICABLE INVENTORY IS AVAILABLE. OTHERWISE/ TICKET
MUST BE EXCHANGED FOR ANOTHER FARE. FULL REFUND WILL BE MADE FOR
WHOLLY UNUSED TICKETS. FOR PARTIALLY USED TICKETS/ THE REFUND WILL BE
THE AMOUNT PAID MINUS THE NORMAL ONE WAY FARE APPLICABLE TO THE TRANSPORTATION
USED.  GENERAL RULE - APPLY UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED CANCELLATIONS
 PER TICKET CHARGE USD 100.00 FOR LOST TICKET. NOTE - TEXT
BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. AA WILL IMPOSE A SERVICE CHARGE
PER TICKET FOR HANDLING SUCH REQUEST FOR REFUND OF A LOST TICKET.

[RULE APPLICATION AND OTHER CONDITIONS]
NOTE - THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS INFORMATIONAL AND NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
SENIOR FARES APPLICATION CLASS OF SERVICE THESE FARES APPLY FOR
FIRST/BUSINESS/ECONOMY/COACH CLASS SERVICE. TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION
THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO JOINT TRANSPORTATION. CAPACITY LIMITATIONS
SEATS ARE LIMITED.

[ELIGIBILITY]
VALID FOR SENIOR CITIZEN PSGR 65 OR OLDER WITH ID. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT
VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. APPLIES TO PASSENGERS AT LEAST 65 YEARS
OF AGE WITH ID.

[DAY/TIME]
NO DAY/TIME TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS APPLY.

[SEASONALITY]
NO SEASONAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS APPLY.

[FLIGHT APPLICATION]
NO FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS APPLY.

[ADVANCE RESERVATIONS/TICKETING]
CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS. WAITLIST NOT PERMITTED.
TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED BY MIDNIGHT 1 DAY AFTER RESERVATIONS
ARE MADE. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. ID REQUIRED
AT TIME OF TICKETING AND/OR CHECK-IN. ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---
 ---  ---  ---  --- 1.STANDBY - PASSENGERS HOLDING CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS
AND TICKETS MAY STANDBY FOR EARLIER/LATER SAME DAY AA NONSTOP
AND/OR CONNECTING FLIGHTS BETWEEN THE SAME ORIGIN AND DESTINATION AIRPORTS
WITHOUT CHARGE PROVIDED THE ROUTING IS APPLICABLE FOR THE FARE
CHARGED. --- A.WHEN TICKETED TO/FROM CHI/HOU/NYC/WAS/DFW -- CHECK FLIGHT
APPLICATION FOR ANY AIRPORT RESTRICTION. ///---///---///---///---///---///---///---///---//
2.SAME DAY - CONFIRMED FLIGHT CHANGE/CFC/
- PASSENGERS HOLDING CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS AND TICKETS IN INVENTORIES
K/M/L/W/V/G/S/N/Q/O MAY CONFIRM TRAVEL ON AN ALTERNATE FLIGHT FOR
A NONREFUNDABLE USD50 FEE WITHIN 12 HOURS OF THE ALTERNATE FLIGHT/S DEPARTURE
TIME BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS --- A.THERE IS NO CHANGE
TO THE ORIGIN/DESTINATION OR STOPOVER POINTS. B.NEW FLIGHT/S/ AND
ROUTING ARE PERMITTED PER THE TICKETED FARE RULE. C.ALL TRAVEL IS ON
AMERICAN AIRLINES/ AMERICAN EAGLE AND AMERICAN CONNECTION. D.REQUESTS
ARE MADE VIA AIRPORT SELF-SERVICE CHECK-IN/ TICKET COUNTERS /INCLUDING
ADMIRALS CLUBS AND PREMIUM SERVICES/ OR BY CALLING AA RESERVATIONS.
E.CHANGES PERMITTED TO OUTBOUND OR CONTINUING/ RETURN FLIGHTS. F.CONFIRMATION
IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. G.ALTERNATE FLIGHT IS ON SAME
TICKETED DATE. ///--///--///--///--///--///--///--///--///--/// PASSENGERS
TICKETED IN Y/B/H INVENTORIES MAY CONFIRM TRAVEL WITHIN 12 HOURS
OF THE ALTERNATE FLIGHT/S DEPARTURE TIME FREE OF CHARGE FOLLOWING
THE ABOVE CONDITIONS. ///--///--///--///--///--///--///--///--///--///
REQUESTS MADE MORE THAN 12 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE ALTERNATE FLIGHT/S
DEPARTURE TIME WILL BE PROCESSED FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES FOR RESERVATION
CHANGES/ WHICH INCLUDE COLLECTION OF APPLICABLE CHANGE FEES PLUS
DIFFERENCE IN FARE. SEE PENALTIES ///--///--///--///--///--///--///--///--///--///
3. OPEN RETURN NOT PERMITTED.

[MINIMUM STAY]
NO MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENTS APPLY.

[MAXIMUM STAY]
NO MAXIMUM STAY REQUIREMENTS APPLY.

[STOPOVERS]
STOPOVERS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT INTERMEDIATE POINTS.

[TRANSFERS]
4 TRANSFERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT. FARE BREAK AND EMBEDDED SURFACE
SECTORS PERMITTED ON THE FARE COMPONENT. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED
FOR AUTOPRICING. FARE BREAK SURFACE SECTORS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

[COMBINATIONS]
DOUBLE OPEN JAWS NOT PERMITTED. ADD-ONS NOT PERMITTED. END-ON-END END-ON-END
COMBINATIONS NOT PERMITTED. VALIDATE ALL FARE COMPONENTS. PROVIDED
- COMBINATIONS ARE NOT FOR CARRIER AV/TA/AF/CM/AZ/JM OR FOR CARRIER
PR/KE/CA/AI/EK/FJ OR FOR CARRIER NZ/MH/OZ/LR. END-ON-END END-ON-END
COMBINATIONS PERMITTED. VALIDATE ALL FARE COMPONENTS. OPEN JAWS/2-COMPONENT
CIRCLE TRIPS/MULTI-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS FARES MAY BE COMBINED
ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS -TO FORM SINGLE OPEN JAWS A MAXIMUM OF
2 STOPOVERS PERMITTED AT FARE BREAK POINTS. MILEAGE OF THE OPEN SEGMENT
MUST BE EQUAL/ LESS THAN MILEAGE OF THE SHORTEST FLOWN FARE COMPONENT.
-TO FORM 2-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS -TO FORM MULTI-COMPONENT CIRCLE
TRIPS A MAXIMUM OF 2 STOPOVERS PERMITTED AT FARE BREAK POINTS. OPEN
JAWS/2-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS/MULTI-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS NOTE -
WHEN COMBINED WITH HALF ROUND TRIP FARES TO FORM ROUND/CIRCLE/OPEN JAW
TRIPS THE MOST RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS APPLY.  THESE INCLUDE MINIMUM/MAXIMUM
STAY /RESERVATION/TICKETING REQUIREMENTS/STOPOVER/ COMBINATION
PROVISIONS AND CANCELLATION CHARGES. PROVIDED - COMBINATIONS ARE WITH
ANY ROUND TRIP FARE FOR CARRIER AA IN ANY RULE IN TARIFF IPRA   
- BETWEEN USA/CA-AREA 2/3 AND GUAM-AREA 2 IPRAI   - BETWEEN THE USA/CANADA-AREA
2/3 VIA ATL IPRP    - BETWEEN THE USA/CANADA-AREA 2/3 VIA
PAC IPRPC   - BETWEEN AREA 1-AREA 2/3 VIA PAC IPRSAA2 - BETWEEN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE-AREA 2 VIA ATL IPRSAA3 - SOUTH ATLANTIC/CENTRAL/SOUTH
AMERICA/ MEXICO/CARIBBEAN/GREENLAND/ST PIERRE ET MIQUELON - AREA 3
IPRSAAS - BETWEEN AREA 1-AREA 3 VIA PAC IPRW    - BETWEEN THE USA/CANADA-AREA
1 IPRWC   - BETWEEN CANADA - AREA 1 IPRWI   - WITHIN AREA 1
INTERNATIONAL EXCEPT US/ CANADA VPCR    - BETWEEN PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN
ISLANDS-CANADA VPDR    - BETWEEN PUERTO RICO/VIRGIN ISLANDS-THE USA.
OPEN JAWS/2-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS/MULTI-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS FARES
MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS WITH ANY FARE FOR ANY CARRIER
IN ANY RULE AND TARIFF. -TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS/2-COMPONENT
CIRCLE TRIPS/MULTI-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS. OPEN JAWS/2-COMPONENT
CIRCLE TRIPS/MULTI-COMPONENT CIRCLE TRIPS NOTE - WHEN COMBINED
WITH HALF ROUND TRIP FARES TO FORM ROUND/CIRCLE/OPEN JAW TRIPS THE MOST
RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS APPLY.  THESE INCLUDE MINIMUM/MAXIMUM STAY
/RESERVATION/TICKETING REQUIREMENTS/STOPOVER/ COMBINATION PROVISIONS
AND CANCELLATION CHARGES. NOTE - THE CITY PAIRS BELOW ARE CONSIDERED
THE SAME POINT - BUR-SNA  BWI-WAS  EWR-HPN  FLL-PBI  LAX-BUR LAX-ONT
 LAX-SNA  LGB-BUR  LGB-LAX  LGB-ONT LGB-SNA  MIA-FLL  MIA-PBI  NYC-EWR
 NYC-HPN OAK-SFO  OAK-SJC  ONT-BUR  ONT-SNA  SFO-SJC

[BLACKOUT DATES]
NO BLACKOUT DATES APPLY.

[SURCHARGES]
NO SURCHARGE REQUIREMENTS APPLY.

[ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL]
ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL NOT REQUIRED.

[TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS]
NO TRAVEL DATE RESTRICTIONS APPLY.

[SALES RESTRICTIONS]
TICKETS MAY BE ISSUED BY MAIL/PTA. PTA CONSTITUTES TICKETING. NOTE - TEXT
BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. ID REQUIRED AT TIME OF TICKETING
AND/OR CHECK-IN.

[HIP/MILEAGE EXCEPTIONS]
NO HIP OR MILEAGE EXCEPTIONS APPLY.

[TICKET ENDORSEMENTS]
THE ORIGINAL TICKET MUST BE ANNOTATED - REFUNDABLE / - AND - CHECK SENIOR
ID - IN THE ENDORSEMENT BOX.

[CHILDREN DISCOUNTS]
1ST INF/INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT PSGR UNDER 2 - NO CHARGE. MUST BE ACCOMPANIED
ON ALL FLIGHTS IN THE SAME COMPARTMENT BY ADULT PSGR.

[TOUR CONDUCTOR DISCOUNTS]
NO DISCOUNTS FOR TOUR CONDUCTORS.

[AGENT DISCOUNTS]
NO DISCOUNTS FOR SALE AGENTS.

[ALL OTHER DISCOUNTS]
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. RULE 6020 DFR3 PASSENGERS
OCCUPYING TWO SEATS DOES APPLY.

[MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS]
NO PROVISIONS APPLY.

[FARE BY RULE]
NOT APPLICABLE.

[GROUPS]
NO GROUP PROVISIONS APPLY.

[TOURS]
NO TOUR PROVISIONS APPLY.

[VISIT ANOTHER COUNTRY]
NO VISIT ANOTHER COUNTRY PROVISIONS APPLY.

[DEPOSITS]
NO DEPOSIT PROVISIONS APPLY.

[VOLUNTARY CHANGES]
ENTER RD*31 OR RD LINE NUM *31 FOR VOLUNTARY CHGS.

[NEGOTIATED FARES]
NOT APPLICABLE. IC.INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION NOT A CONSTRUCTED FARE
KVS is offline  
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 9:59 am
  #23  
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NYC/MIA
Programs: AA:Lifetime Platinum; MR:Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 500
Why declare age (over 65) if fare is the same?

I am booking on a weekly basis a fare for someone who is 65+ but the fares are the same for adults (21-64) as for seniors (65+). Is there an advantage to the traveler to check the senior box ? How does this benefit AA?

AA has birth dates in its records so this becomes redundant and takes extra time and energy for each flight. Is there another reason to declare one's age if there is no difference between adult and senior fares?
I searched but found nothing.

Thanks.
uncle wiggily is offline  
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 10:21 am
  #24  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,327
I found this <now recurving link redacted> old thread. There is a Sr discount but it doesnt appear to be available on all flights and dates

Last edited by JDiver; Oct 3, 2010 at 10:31 am Reason: recurving link deleted
CDKing is offline  
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 10:30 am
  #25  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,946
Eight month is not old, sixty five may not be either , so the new post has been merged into this existing thread.

Originally Posted by CDKing
I found this <link redacted> old thread. There is a Sr discount but it doesnt appear to be available on all flights and dates
JDiver is offline  
Old Oct 3, 2010 | 3:24 pm
  #26  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
40 Countries Visited3M20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel
Posts: 24,420
I've been over 65 for 3+ years. I started looking at senior fares, out of curiosity, a year or two before then. I have never seen a difference from the regular adult fare.

Any AA visitors care to comment? This isn't a politically or emotionally charged question. Just tell us what's going on. If there are real senior fares on 5 percent or so of AA's flights, say so. It won't hurt business a bit.
Efrem is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 5:20 pm
  #27  
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA LT Gold; BA Silver; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,086
My husband is 72 and we've been flying at least 2-3X/year since he turned 65; sometimes more often. I've always checked the Senior box for him and he's always gotten the same fare I have (I'm 57)- all airlines, all the time.
Athena53 is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2010 | 5:46 pm
  #28  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: USA, Europe
Programs: AAdvantage, Flying Blue, Mileage Plus
Posts: 839
The senior citizen fare is available in only a few markets - generally only those that involve going traveling to/from somewhere in southern cal, Arziona, Florida, parts of Texas, etc. It's worthwhile to select the senior citizen option on aa.com because there really is nothing to lose.
i_fly_AA is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.