Questions and Answers

So I’ve been stalking AA’s award calendar because I want to fly Qantas first class between SYD-LAX or DFW. As of right now, I don’t see AA listing any Qantas award flights at all (and they use to). I’ve crossed checked Qantas’ website and they have some award spaces listed. So what’s going on with AA? If AA isn’t listing Qantas award space and space is available (on Qantas’ website), can I call AA’s award reservation line and book through the phone? Thanks in advance for any insights/answers

I’ve been stalking AA’s award calendar because I want to fly Qantas first class between SYD-LAX or DFW. As of right now, I don’t see AA listing any Qantas award flights at all (and they use to). I’ve crossed checked Qantas’ website and they have some award spaces listed. So what’s going on with AA? If AA isn’t listing Qantas award space and space is available (on Qantas’ website), can I call AA’s award reservation line and book through the phone? Thanks in advance for any insights/answers!

hi [USER=1218]@Mimi[/USER]–airlines often release additional space to their own members that is not bookable using partner miles. Qantas is well known for a limited release of award space so it is not surprising that you are not finding any. A good way to cross check that AA availability is correct is to use another partner tool like BA to search since they would have access to the same subset of partner award space.

Also keep in mind that Qantas releases award space before the AA booking window so if you are only checking the AA horizon chances are the space is already gone. There are workarounds to this, for e.g., using BA avios to book the space, then cancel and rebook with AA miles. Google can help you with the specifics if you need it. Good luck.

[USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] Hey! Thanks for the tip! So I just checked BA and they do have First Class seat available for Qantas (AA isn’t showing that). Unfortunately, I don’t have BA Avios points to book with. Any suggestions?

[USER=1218]@Mimi[/USER] – how far in advance are you searching? The BA and QF websites will show availability about 2 weeks before AA releases space. That’s why it’s very tough to get F availability using AA miles. I ended up using BA miles (and paying the fuel surcharges) on the DFW-SYD route just because that was the only way to get access to it. Last year I was searching for space for this past October. I saw one F seat early in the month and then booked one I saw in the middle of the month. That was all I saw on the DFW route (though of course I stopped looking once I booked my seat). In December some business class seats opened up on the LAX-BNE route for my October date and my friend was able to snag one of those, with connecting service to SYD.

[QUOTE=”Mimi, post: 10314, member: 1218″][USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] Hey! Thanks for the tip! So I just checked BA and they do have First Class seat available for Qantas (AA isn’t showing that). Unfortunately, I don’t have BA Avios points to book with. Any suggestions?[/QUOTE]

Do you have any MR or UR points that you can transfer to Avios? Or a friend with enough Avios to make the booking for you?

[USER=184]@MidSouth Skier[/USER] – Hey! So I’m looking at Nov 3, 2016 on all the websites. I just find it weird that AA doesn’t even list Qantas economy flights on their site. What a bummer.

[QUOTE=”Gaurav, post: 10319, member: 79″]Do you have any MR or UR points that you can transfer to Avios? Or a friend with enough Avios to make the booking for you?[/QUOTE]
[USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] I’m new to this hobby, so I haven’t been able to broaden my mile earnings with too many credit card points yet. I have Citi ThankYou points and saving those for Singapore Airlines 🙂

[USER=1218]@Mimi[/USER] – apparently that economy seat is only available to Qantas FF members. It doesn’t show up on BA.com either.

But the flight on Sunday 6 NOV is available!