Does American Allow First Class Awards Between The Middle East And Africa?

Does American Allow First Class Awards Between The Middle East And Africa?

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One of my favorite uses of American AAdvantage miles is for travel in first class on the Middle Eastern carriers, including Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways. They have among the most over the top first class products out there, at least on their newer planes. The only downside is that the Middle Eastern carriers only operate first class cabins on select routes, and Qatar Airways has even gone so far as to say that first class as a concept is obsolete.

Qatar-A330-First-Class

A vast majority of service by both carriers to Africa is operated by two cabin planes, without a first class. They’ve occasionally offered three class service (Etihad sometimes does to Cairo, for example), though not with any consistency. However, now both Etihad and Qatar offer a first class cabin on their routes between Abu Dhabi/Doha and Casablanca, Morocco.

CMN

You’ll notice something strange if you look at the American award chart for travel to from the Middle East/Indian Subcontinent, though:

American-Africa-Award-Chart

Specifically, there’s no first class pricing listed for travel between the Middle East/Indian Subcontinent and Africa. Does that mean first class can’t be booked with miles between those markets?

The answer is that AAdvantage miles can be redeemed between the Middle East/India and Africa, at the rate of 60,000 miles one-way in first class. If you call AAdvantage to book such an award, the computer should automatically price it correctly.

That’s a reasonable cost, given that the flights are 6-8 hours. Keep in mind that for the same price you can originate travel in India, and Etihad even offers a first class cabin on select flights to Delhi and Mumbai.

Etihad-First-Class-A340-01

The big question is why American doesn’t publish award prices between the regions. I suppose there are a couple of possible explanations:

  • It’s an oversight
  • This chart was published before American partnered with an airline offering a first class product between the Middle East and Africa (though that argument isn’t all that solid, given that this is true in many other regions as well)

Bottom line

While this is definitely a very specific point to make, it’s a question I’ve received several times over the past few weeks, so I figured I’d answer it here.

Is it worth spending an extra 15,000 miles for first class over business class on a 6-8 hour flight? Personally I’d say so, when you factor in the ground services, extra amenities, better food, service, and drinks, etc. But admittedly that’s also dependent upon how many miles you have.

Here’s to hoping that Etihad and Qatar eventually offer first class cabins on more routes to Africa.

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  1. Jmoney Guest

    I've looking to fly in Africa with aa miles, for example nbo-cmn, would aa allow this? Nbo-doh-cmn. Any pointers on this kind of redemption, I've used United miles before and it's quite easy, however it seems a bit complicated with aa routing rules. Thanks!

  2. djibouti Guest

    QR flies F DOH-CMN? Since when? I can't find it in their schedule through July 1. Looks like a 2-class 787.

  3. high end hobo Guest

    How can you be so supportive of the ME3 when the governments that own them imprison and kill homosexuals?

  4. Joey Diamond

    @Jack, When I flew QR F from CAI-DOH in the 2-cabin plane, they served Krug on the route. No, it isn't longhaul first class but the drinks definitely were for a short flight!
    Etihad and Qatar will most likely offer more First Class services to African routes if there is a market for it (and.... I doubt we're their target market!) willing to pay for those services. ;)

  5. Neel New Member

    Ben, I'm a big fan of your blog, and I'd like to believe that this is a totally innocent oversight, but I can't help but notice that I'm the only one to have asked (and answered myself) this question in your "Ask Lucky" forum. While this certainly isn't the most difficult to obtain information, and one could easily have had this question and found the answer independently, I would have assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that you...

    Ben, I'm a big fan of your blog, and I'd like to believe that this is a totally innocent oversight, but I can't help but notice that I'm the only one to have asked (and answered myself) this question in your "Ask Lucky" forum. While this certainly isn't the most difficult to obtain information, and one could easily have had this question and found the answer independently, I would have assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that you would have at least searched in your own forum as well and acknowledged that a reader had both had this question and found the answer as well.

  6. Jack Guest

    QR F's are sometimes deceptive. For example, all DOH-CAI service has F and Y. However, the F service is essentially C service. The seats are six across in the 777. Etc. The only thing that resembles "real" F is the F luggage tag and access to the F lounge in DOH. There is no F lounge in CAI, as I recall.

  7. FlyerGuy Guest

    Hey Ben,

    Love your blog! Any chance you'll do trip reports for more destinations beyond Mid East, Asia, Europe? Would love to see some reviews for hotels and airlines In Africa

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The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Jmoney Guest

I've looking to fly in Africa with aa miles, for example nbo-cmn, would aa allow this? Nbo-doh-cmn. Any pointers on this kind of redemption, I've used United miles before and it's quite easy, however it seems a bit complicated with aa routing rules. Thanks!

0
djibouti Guest

QR flies F DOH-CMN? Since when? I can't find it in their schedule through July 1. Looks like a 2-class 787.

0
high end hobo Guest

How can you be so supportive of the ME3 when the governments that own them imprison and kill homosexuals?

0
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