A couple of questions from an AAdvantage newbie

[serfty]

Re: AA award availablity

I suspect you would have been able to book the QF or BA seats with QF by ringing up. Sometimes there are unexplained differences in what is shown on each airline's own website, but in principle the availability should be the same.

Not unexplainable at all. Through their GDS, airlines can vary availability based on various factors including country of 'sale'/geography and agency.

So it is quite easy (with existing decades old processes) for QF to have greater availability for AAdvantage redemptions than for QFF redemptions.

I have seen recent reports of anecdotes where similar circumstances may exist for premium Skymiles redemptions over Velocity for transpacific routes.

 

[drron]

Re: AA award availablity

As reported previously I have twice got award seats on QF to and from BKK on AA.Mrsdrron as WP couldn't get them ringing QFF.
Also I would not be surprised if BA had more award availability for AA over QF.

 

[N860CR]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I also managed to find 2 CX award seats (HKG-SYD in J) that weren't available anywhere else

 

[Keftetha]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I'm sure this has been explained before however I can't seem to find it anywhere. If I book a reward seat on aa.com SYD-NRT (QF) then HND-LHR (BA), under the terms and conditions down the bottom it says that I can't book it online (being from Australia and not from US, UK, et al) and I have to call up to make the booking. Is that right??

Thanks in advance.

 

[serfty]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I'm sure this has been explained before however I can't seem to find it anywhere. If I book a reward seat on aa.com SYD-NRT (QF) then HND-LHR (BA) under the terms and conditions down the bottom it says that I can't book it online and I have to call up to make the booking. Is that right??

Thanks in advance.

I can't see why you can't book it in line ... I have seen that routing show up before ...

 

[Nizar]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I can't see why you can't book it in line ... I have seen that routing show up before ...

Same. Many times. Comes up a lot when I'm searching Mel-lhr and hoping to find QF9 or QF1 availability.

 

[Alanslegal]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

IME it's a bit of a nuisance to transfer from NRT - HND .. so I would probably search for a connecting flight (non-BA) from NRT to Europe, maybe JL? I know there is JL to CDG but haven't looked at LON

 

[Keftetha]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

IME it's a bit of a nuisance to transfer from NRT - HND .. so I would probably search for a connecting flight (non-BA) from NRT to Europe, maybe JL? I know there is JL to CDG but haven't looked at LON

Yeah I've never been to Japan before and we get at least 12hrs overnight there between flights so I'm kinda looking forward to it. But just want to confirm that it actually is ok to book a reward flight like that on the website. Has everyone just called up to book?? I'm currently holding the reservation so I hope it's still available when it cancels and I have to rebook as I don't have the points for it yet. I'm waiting for it to transfer across.

 

[serfty]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Hold should be around three days - generally expires midnight DFW time.

My only AAdvantage bookings have been made on line and with USD payment.

 

[boomy]

IME it's a bit of a nuisance to transfer from NRT - HND .. so I would probably search for a connecting flight (non-BA) from NRT to Europe, maybe JL? I know there is JL to CDG but haven't looked at LON

+1
Did it once and never again!
JL don't fly to LHR from NRT but BA do (BA6) an easy morning connection from QF21.

 

[drron]

If you cant get the direct BA flight to LHR from NRT the best bet would be AY.You can book reward flights with them on line.Flight to HEL leaves 5 minutes after BA and depending on your HEL-LHR flight get to LHR 2,3 or 4 hours after BA.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If you cant get the direct BA flight to LHR from NRT the best bet would be AY.You can book reward flights with them on line.Flight to HEL leaves 5 minutes after BA and depending on your HEL-LHR flight get to LHR 2,3 or 4 hours after BA.

I'd go with AY! On BA you have to pay for seat assignments... or potentially get stuck with a dud seat. And people climbing over you (or you them).

 

[boomy]

I'd go with AY! On BA you have to pay for seat assignments... or potentially get stuck with a dud seat. And people climbing over you (or you them).

I thought it depends on your OW status. As OWE I could select any seat on BA for free.

 

[serfty]

I thought it depends on your OW status. As OWE I could select any seat on BA for free.

This is correct ...

http://www.speedbirdclub.com/au/reservations-ticketing/servicing/newseatpol/

Customers eligible for free seating at time of booking

Customers who have booked in J, C, W, Y ;
All customers travelling in FIRST;
Customers travelling on a corporate dealt ticket, using a BACCI code.

Agencies that have British Airways dealt corporate clients should make sure that they include the BACCI code in the booking, using the following GDS entries:
Amadeus: SK DTID BA-Client Code
SABRE/Worldspan: 3OSI BA DTID.Client Code
Galileo: SI.BA*DTID.Client Code
Premier, Gold and Silver Executive Club members and oneworld equivalents;*
Customers travelling with infants
They will have exclusive access to the bassinet positions and any other suitable seats. If customers require bassinets, please request this in the PNR. If seats have not been selected 5 days prior to the flight. seats will be allocated to them. For customers travelling with an infant and also with someone booked on another PNR, they can request to be TCP linked, so everyone is seated together.
Please find further details under "TCP linking request" here.
Customers requiring disability assistance
We can help to seat customers that require disability assistance from the time of booking. Ensure the correct keywords are updated in the PNR and contact our BA contact centre to arrange suitable seats.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I thought it depends on your OW status. As OWE I could select any seat on BA for free.

Yes, although I was more commenting on the possibility the OP might go for AY over BA. The OP is listed as a QF bronze in their profile, and will be on an award ticket. So seats need to be paid for.

 

[Keftetha]

Correct MEL_Traveller. If I go with AY it will be in business class. Is their product alright? and just to confirm it is possible to book online using all miles and an AU credit card? Thanks for your replies so far guys. Much appreciated.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Correct MEL_Traveller. If I go with AY it will be in business class. Is their product alright?

Yes... forward facing full flat beds. The menu can be a little.. 'interesting' at times (think reindeer).

More details: Travel in intercontinental Finnair Business Class | Finnair - Australia

The only 'downside' is that you'll be on European 'business class' from helsinki to Europe, which is along the lines of standard economy class with either a spare seat, or slightly widened.

 

[knasty]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I'd take AY and save a few hundred in fuel surcharge vs BA if the extra couple of hours aren't critical.

 

[Alanslegal]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I have flown AY J long haul and it's quite good, was happy with our flights. That said, if you are flying to HEL and never have visited Helsinki, I would recommend stopping there for a few days if you have the time to explore the city, also there are also ferry cruises to other countries nearby like Sweden, Estonia, Russia.

 

[Isochronous]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I have flown AY J long haul and it's quite good, was happy with our flights. That said, if you are flying to HEL and never have visited Helsinki, I would recommend stopping there for a few days if you have the time to explore the city, also there are also ferry cruises to other countries nearby like Sweden, Estonia, Russia.

I can definitely endorse the idea of a jaunt down to Tallinn once you've seen Helsinki!