FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines announced today that, effective Oct. 1, 2002, it will no longer pay a base commission for tickets issued by travel agents located outside of the United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada, for flights on itineraries originating within the territory of the United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada.

This is an expansion of the policy change American implemented March 18, 2002, when it announced it would no longer pay a base commission to travel agents within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada.

The change applies to all tickets, Miscellaneous Charges Orders (MCOs), Prepaid Ticket Advices (PTAs) and bookings made via the Internet for travel originating within the United States and Canada. VUSA (Visit the U.S.A.) fares and oneworld Visit North America passes are exempt from this policy.

American will have no further comment on this matter. Travel agents may obtain additional information by referring to the key word “commission” on the Direct Reference System (DRS) of the computer reservations system.

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