Question
First time poster to this board. Sorry if this is old hat - my search technique is not so hot I guess.
Looking to buy RTW tix next month in Poland; the sale must be consummated there in order to get the local price. I'm afraid the AA general sales agent there won't take my AAdvantage MC for payment - may want a wire transfer or banker's draft or some other "secure" form of payment, which I'd need to arrange before traveling to Warsaw. But it's going to be a big amount and I'd like to get AA miles for it. Note I have not yet confirmed this for sure with the GSA, but I expect it to be the case.
Is there a relatively simple method to use the card to perform this transaction, or is it just another name for cash advance, hence not mileage earning? Citibank (hello, Delhi) says it's the card or no miles.
Answer
First time poster to this board. Sorry if this is old hat - my search technique is not so hot I guess.
Looking to buy RTW tix next month in Poland; the sale must be consummated there in order to get the local price. I'm afraid the AA general sales agent there won't take my AAdvantage MC for payment - may want a wire transfer or banker's draft or some other "secure" form of payment, which I'd need to arrange before traveling to Warsaw. But it's going to be a big amount and I'd like to get AA miles for it. Note I have not yet confirmed this for sure with the GSA, but I expect it to be the case.
Is there a relatively simple method to use the card to perform this transaction, or is it just another name for cash advance, hence not mileage earning? Citibank (hello, Delhi) says it's the card or no miles.
A Mastercard is a Mastercard regardless of where its issued and should be accepted anywhere worldwide where Mastercards are accepted. Unfortunately, if the agent doens't want to take your card then I would take my business elsewhere. Unless you charge it to your Mastercard theres no way to earn miles.
Answer
It is not unusual for merchants, including airlines, to decline "foreign" credit cards for transactions made via the Internet or by mail. However, if you are proposing to make the payment in person so that they can verify your identity, it may simply be a strategy to discourage you from buying at a price which is "intended" for a market with lower discretionary incomes. My experience is that even though MasterCard and Visa advertise "worldwide acceptance" Citibank will not get involved on your behalf.
dennis
Answer
Don't forget about the foreign exchange fees, IIRC that's 3% with Citi/AAdvantage.
So if you pay cash, you can save those 3% (though you've get to get cash somehow). Otherwise, you're buying the miles at 3 cents / mile, pretty expensive.