star file

[NOVAMed]

Does anyone know the AA star file for 2004? Thanks.

[spatel0434]

Nicole--The starfile number is for Ross students who contact AA directly in order to get a discount off the regular fare. For this year the number is: 16731.

[NOVAMed]

Thank you! :)

[Dru]

When you call American Airlines you need to use their toll-free international number to get the right desk, or they won't know what you are talking about. Call:

1-800-433-1790 and ask for Star File #16731 for the Ross University Student discount.

They number has been the same for the past two years, but they say they occasionally change it, and it usually happens at the end of the year.

[oc23]

They number has been the same for the past two years, but they say they occasionally change it, and it usually happens at the end of the year.

actually, they did have a different number last year.

[Doc Holiday]

Some time ago I managed to get the starfile number for American. As it turns out you don't really save any money with it. What it does is discount off the cost of the full undiscounted rate which for example might run $1500 for a flight from Dominica to Boston. Before anyone has a coronary about this figure hear me out. American pretty much never charges this actual rate but rather offers discounted rates throughout the year which for the same trip runs around $800-$900. When you use the starfile number the discount can only be applied to the full rate and not the current rate going. So basically it might cost you more to purchase a ticket with the starfile number than without it.

I found all this out in a clash that I had with Tom Backer over the supposed 45% discount that really doesn't exist. Anyway, I don't buy my tickets through him anymore. So the moral of the story is that unless the price jumps really high I wouldn't even bother trying to get ahold of that starfile number.

[oc23]

i actually had this discussion with someone in aa because i was confused about it myself. it does do some good to have the starfile because most of the time, the starfile price will be lower than the current ticket price. but yes, once in a while, the starfile price will be HIGHER than the regular price. it just depends on the season, i think. also, the amount of discount you get depends on how early you book your flight. buying a ticket <30 days before the flight only saves you 5%, compared to 10% if you buy a ticket >30 days in advance.

[Dru]

The times that I used the star file # the price on the regular AA and the internet was $800+, and when I used the star file I got tickets for $550 to $600.

[azskeptic]

http://www.usairways.com/pro/specials/carib_summer_sale.htm

[cosmo]

where did you find these prices because the internet says $1,600 for Charlotte to Dom Aug30-Dec 17 but when I call american airlinesit is $920.00. Where did you find the $500-600 tickets and how far in advance did you get them??

[singer]

I am not trying to defend Tom Backer or Austin travel but I can only state that He saved the day when my son had an open ticket for Aug 18th and Ross changed the exam dates. Tom immediately changed my son to the first open date which was Monday the 23rd. He also indicated that when additional flights were added he would book my son onan earlier flight. My son is now leaving the 21st, which is when he wanted to leave. Tom did all this and emailed my son the new itinerary. It would have been very costly for my son to call American Airlines from Dominica. This wasn't the first time he has helped to solve a problem. First we always get open returns but Tom always books my son on a flight with seat assignments which the airlines won't do on an open return ticket. Also, Tom charges a $50 upfront fee with no charges for any of the several changes he has made to the itineray.

You must decide wheter you want ease in doing things and always dealing with the same person versus "possibly" saving a couple dollars. Do you think the airlines would automatically change your itenerary when flights are added ?

[FoxTrot]

For students like me who have nobody back in the states to take care of their business and make phone calls for me and settle things (airline tickets, etc), booking through Tom Backer is highly inconvenient. With experience, he's a hard guy to get ahold of so you have to call several times just to talk to him and if you leave a message he doesn't call back for a day or so, if at all. It's hard enough already calling back to the states from Dominica. Besides, his secretary that always answers the line is sooo rude! You can get the same prices through AA directly.

[singer]

Foxtrot:

Tom Backer has never been rude to me and if he is busy or not in the office someone else books the flight or make the changes and sends me the confirm. I assume Tom makes alot of money off Ross students and has no reason to be rude. In fact if all students in Dominica booked through him three times a year he would make at least $50 times 3 times 800 =$120,000 just from ROss alone.

[Dru]

I think the big difference is that I am buying tickets coming and going to Chicago. Boston is a lot further. The other alternative is to look at Travelocity and Orbitz. The problem is with some of the internet companies, your flight must originate out of the U.S., and I know this doesn't help if you're trying to get out of Dominica to the US and back to Dominica. I usually buy about 5 to 6 weeks prior to my daughter's intended date of departure. I have also found that if you arrange your departure date a day or two after the big rush, the price drops dramatically. An example is that if your last final is on the 17th and most students are leaving on the 18th, the price can drop several hundred if you wait until the 20th.

[oc23]

i and a lot of people i know have had bad experiences with austin travel and tom backer himself. like foxtrot said, the secretaries are rude and it's so hard to get a hold of him, especially if you're trying to do it from down here. i think part of the problem is that austin travel knows that they are the only travel agency recommended by ross and that they pretty much have all the newbies. monopoly is never a good thing. businesses start to think that they can be rude to their customers because these customers have nowhere else to go. perfect example: cable & wireless!!!

[Junito]

I had a good experience when it came to dealing with Tom. But I must admit the secretaries can be rude, and at times it was hard to get in touch with Tom. Next time I'll do things on my own though. I just rather save the $50 and go diving.

Juni