As I first wrote about earlier in the week, British Airways Executive Club didn’t seem to have access to any American Airlines award availability. This issue applied both online and by phone, and it’s not the first time something like this happened. The IT systems that the airlines use are complex and outdated, so these issues happen more often than you’d think, and generally I assume that there’s not any foul play.
The good news is that American has just let me know that this issue has now been fixed. American awards are once again bookable on British Airways’ website using Avios.
As a reminder, redeeming British Airways Avios for short-haul travel on American can represent a fantastic value, as they charge the following number of Avios for one-way awards in economy:
- Segments of 1-1,150 miles cost 7,500 Avios
- Segments of 1,151-2,000 miles cost 10,000 Avios
- Segments of 2,000-3,000 miles cost 12,500 Avios
Furthermore, at the moment there’s a 40% transfer bonus from Amex Membership Rewards to Avios, which means you can convert 1,000 Membership Rewards points into 1,400 Avios. This can make those redemptions an even better value.
Of course this assumes you can actually find saver level award availability on American, as it can often be tough to come by. American has gone from best to worst among the US legacies when it comes to saver level award space, in my experience.
Happy Avios redeeming!
I just did this when I first read your post about the Amex transfer bonus. I had just booked SFO/PHX using 10,000 UA miles + $80 (taxes + close-in booking fee). I decided to check BA on a whim and found an AA flight for 7,500 BA miles + $5.60. Thankfully, I was within my 24-hour cancelation window on UA. Sounds like I got lucky!
The BA website is still buggy. No QR rewards to be found...
AA lied.
Not there. I searched again for simple WAS to FLL and MIA routes. Nada.
When I phoned BA Executive Club a couple weeks ago I was told that , as rare as AA saver awards are, only a fraction of those are released to BA. I wish BA had everything available on AA's own site (not that it's much).
AA is even giving the shaft to BA now.
Nope website is still bugging. No saver availability all year on nearly all AA domestic routes I search.
A fantastic value? Maybe if American actually offered an Saver availability.
@Ari - connect in IAH onto SQ. They run the 777 there to Manchester with a great new business class product that, frankly, is better than BA F.
Wish there was any sort of transfer bonus for UK Avios customers, sadly never available here despite being British Airways! (although it is more usually London Airways given the way their systems run...)
Ben, Thank you! I actually need to fly LAX-SFO around the dates you tried! I would never have thought to try BA (until you posted the article a few days ago). So, thanks! You're a peach!
ps. The only thing I can't find out from you is since you HATE BA so much (and I am really hating them now too) what airline DO YOU like for premium cabin on a non-stop LAX-Europe? I still...
Ben, Thank you! I actually need to fly LAX-SFO around the dates you tried! I would never have thought to try BA (until you posted the article a few days ago). So, thanks! You're a peach!
ps. The only thing I can't find out from you is since you HATE BA so much (and I am really hating them now too) what airline DO YOU like for premium cabin on a non-stop LAX-Europe? I still think the service on American carriers is sub-par, but don't know what European flag carrier to use to get availability and a good lie-flat. And flying to the ME is too inefficient.
I think you meant to say: "You (could in theory) Once Again Redeem Avios For Travel On American", if in fact there was any Saver availability. So when you find you can't do that, don't blame B/A, blame DisAAdvantage.
I won't use the phrase "fake news" about this post, as that seems to get some folks here very riled up. ;)