ExpertFlyer AA Award Searches

[MrJetset]

Hi,

We're planning on flyer SYD-LHR return in J or F in July or August 2011. Using QF points in one direction, and AA miles in the other. I know QF will open up seats on request, and I've had success doing this in the past but am unsure what to do about the AA portion.

Can anyone advise how I can setup a search on ExpertFlyer for SYD-LHR or LHR - SYD on QF or BA using AA miles. I'm unsure of the fare buckets and what route to list as when I select AA and input SYD-LHR (even with the stopover) it returns no results.

Is it worth burning 10,000 points to have QF open up seats on the date for the AA portion, and then cancel to open them up for AA redemption?

Thanks

 

[drron]

Why bother with expert flyer.You wont be able to book an AA award LHR-SYD on line so why not just ring the Brissy office.I have always found them to be very helpful.Just last friday a glitch on the website wouldn't let me put on hold a YUP for next year.They did it and at no extra cost as it could not be done online.
Last year they got me an Aaward on QF2 when QF could not even using mrsdrron's account as a WP.
The only problem ringing Brissy is that you usually have to wait a fair while for them to answer.

 

[MrJetset]

Why bother with expert flyer.You wont be able to book an AA award LHR-SYD on line so why not just ring the Brissy office.I have always found them to be very helpful.Just last friday a glitch on the website wouldn't let me put on hold a YUP for next year.They did it and at no extra cost as it could not be done online.
Last year they got me an Aaward on QF2 when QF could not even using mrsdrron's account as a WP.
The only problem ringing Brissy is that you usually have to wait a fair while for them to answer.

I only signed up for the monthly subscription because you can't search routes that are ex SYD via AA.com. I want to be able to see availability and thought it would provide this service.

I'm happy to call the US and did earlier, was also on hold for a while.

Shame you can't hold seats for more than 5 days. Waiting on some bonus points to post from a recent promo.

 

[blueflamenco]

I have always dealt with the US customer service agents and they are lovely and helpful. I have found that calling after 11pm our time means virtually no waiting in line.

 

[drron]

I used to call the US but as I said I now find the BNE agents to be very good.

 

[MrJetset]

While I appreciate the feedback on the customer service lines, some help with my original questions would be appreciated.

 

[NM]

While I appreciate the feedback on the customer service lines, some help with my original questions would be appreciated.

It makes no difference that you are using AA miles for the award. Award seats on BA and QF comes from the same fare buckets if using BA, QF or AA points/miles.

BA - First=Z, Business=U, Economy=X
QF - First=P, Business=U, Economy=X

Easiest way is to use your QF FF account to search for QF and BA availability. Then when you find it available to your QF account, call AA and book.

 

[MrJetset]

It makes no difference that you are using AA miles for the award. Award seats on BA and QF comes from the same fare buckets if using BA, QF or AA points/miles.

BA - First=Z, Business=U, Economy=X
QF - First=P, Business=U, Economy=X

Easiest way is to use your QF FF account to search for QF and BA availability. Then when you find it available to your QF account, call AA and book.

Thanks NM. You've been immensely more helpful than ExpertFlyer Voice on FT!

When searching for AA miles, EF uses F fare bucket for First which gives the user the impression that there are 7 seats on almost every flight, which is why I knew it was wrong!

I'll just search QF for P remembering the lag between QF and AA redemption opportunities.

 

[serfty]

Note that to use E/F to get award availability on Qantas flight for AAdvantage redemption, it may be prudent to take your WP number out of your profile as E/F uses this when making queries of Qantas.

WP redeeming through Qantas may see varying availability to that seen with AAdvantage.

 

[MrJetset]

Note that to use E/F to get award availability on Qantas flight for AAdvantage redemption, it may be prudent to take your WP number out of your profile as E/F uses this when making queries of Qantas.

WP redeeming through Qantas may see varying availability to that seen with AAdvantage.

Again I asked ExpertFlyer Voice this on FT and they stated that the FF number is only used for seatmaps. Thanks Serfty, as always, I trust your opinion more.

 

[serfty]

Does the free trial allow award searches?

Both basic and premium do:

• ExpertFlyer.com

In any case as you suggested, use the "Awards & Upgrades" menu option, select Qantas and look for P and U classes.

 

[NM]

I'll just search QF for P remembering the lag between QF and AA redemption opportunities.

In my experience, if QF FF shows availability to using a Platinum or Gold FF account (and maybe Silver since recent changes at QFF) then AAdvantage members can book the award. Only difference is the 330 days vs 353 days availability for QF flights between the programs.

 

[NM]

Note that to use E/F to get award availability on Qantas flight for AAdvantage redemption, it may be prudent to take your WP number out of your profile as E/F uses this when making queries of Qantas.

WP redeeming through Qantas may see varying availability to that seen with AAdvantage.

In my experience, any QF award seats showing as available to QF Platinum and Gold members are also available to AAdvantage members. They may not be available to Bronze QFF members.

So it would seem that the "enhanced" availability for QF Platinum/Gold (and now Silver) members may also be described as "reduced" availability for Bronze members.

My experience also suggest that the variation with availability for Plat/Gold members vs Bronze members is more common for X class economy seats than for P, X, U availability. It seems there may be sub-classes in X while P, X and U seems to be available to all including partner FF programs.

 

[MrJetset]

In my experience, if QF FF shows availability to using a Platinum or Gold FF account (and maybe Silver since recent changes at QFF) then AAdvantage members can book the award. Only difference is the 330 days vs 353 days availability for QF flights between the programs.

I actually paid for the membership and was rather disappointed with the lack of knowledge in the EF/AA thread on FT.

Apart from the fare alerts (which to me seem tedious to set up if you have a range of two months), I don't really see the value.

 

[serfty]

...

Apart from the fare alerts (which to me seem tedious to set up if you have a range of two months), I don't really see the value.

As a non status AAdvantage member, there is real value in being able ascertain those AA flights with C class upgrade availability; book them then upgrade immediately using miles/copay or a friends eVIP/SWU.

Similar with AirNZ ...

Also, know what seats are actually available/blocked when compared to allocated can improve ones seating options.

 

[MrJetset]

Just an update - Could successfully use the QF website to ascertain BA awards, then call the AA call centre to book. Interestingly, although there are 2 seats on the AA agent said she could not see this availability.

If only we could tell which of BA9 and BA15 are more likely to have the New First Class!

 

[serfty]

... Interestingly, although there are 2 seats on the AA agent said she could not see this availability. ...

Availabily can be varied with the point of Sale.

i.e. Someone doing a search from Oz may see different availability from that seen by someone in the USA.

See this informative post from FT:

• Part Two - Galileo: "THIS SERVICE HAS BEEN STOPPED!"? - Page 5 - FlyerTalk Forums

'Why doesn't the redemption/upgrade class I asked for appear?'

Anyone heard of POS. It stands for POINT of SALE. Everytime you make an availability entry or request a fare display, this little beauty comes into play and determines the parameters contained within the airlines response.
'Rules' set within each of the individual airline inventory systems control who gets to see what. This can run the whole gamut from everyone seeing everything, to very strict controls, whereby two people sitting in the same office, with terminals connected to the same system will get a different response to exactly the same entry made at exactly the same time. POS is one of IATA's protocols that enables an airlines revenue managment to control who can sell/buy inventory and at what price. Some of the basic rules are agent/city/country/currency etc. Note, not all systems use all rules however you can be sure that the majors probably do. This would be one of the main reason why when you request specific class availability of an airline (either direct or via a GDS) you may not get the response you want.
...

 

[MrJetset]

Availabily can be varied with the point of Sale.

i.e. Someone doing a search from Oz may see different availability from that seen by someone in the USA.

See this informative post from FT:

• Part Two - Galileo: "THIS SERVICE HAS BEEN STOPPED!"? - Page 5 - FlyerTalk Forums

So would the Australian AA call centre be considered US or AU point of sale?

 

[MrJetset]

So would the Australian AA call centre be considered US or AU point of sale?

The answer is AU! Called the AA call centre and they could make the booking. The taxes were cheaper on QF than BA as well.

If I could confirm BA's New Generation First Class on either QF9 or QF15 I'd stick with them, but I much prefer the food and service on QF.

 

[markis10]

If I could confirm BA's New Generation First Class on either QF9 or QF15 I'd stick with them, but I much prefer the food and service on QF.

BA seating on a Qantas aircraft?