Problem using AA SWU on ticket issued by Qantas

[tsergori]

Hi all

I'm trying to use a SWU on some upcoming AA marketed and operated flights. To be absolutely clear, these flights are on AA metal and have AA flight numbers.

With four flights on QF, and the remaining two on AA, I booked this trip via Qantas. The ticket was issued by Qantas, and that seems to be causing problems. I called the EXP desk, twice, and both times they said that while there was upgrade availability, they 'cannot take control of the ticket from Qantas' and therefore they cannot let me use a SWU

I can request a complimentary upgrade as EXP (which would clear, subject to availability, sometime after the T-100 hour mark), but not a SWU.

The last time I tried to use a SWU on an AA marketed and operated flight booked via Qantas (about 2 years ago), everything worked fine.

Has anyone encountered this problem before and know if there is some way to use the SWU? I'd also like to know how to avoid this in future (perhaps booking directly with AA).

Thanks

Cheers

 

[Danger]

Interesting.

I've posted a link to your post in the dedicated AAdvantage help thread.

 

[madrooster]

You won't be able to use a SWU. SWU's require a ticket reissue and AA cannot reissue a ticket that is on QF ticket stock.

 

[Formal Hall]

Pure speculation on my part, but perhaps once the first leg of the ticket is flown, AA will be able to 'take control' of the ticket and apply the SWU, similar to how airlines often insist that changes be made via OTAs until the first leg is flown, but then are happy to handle changes on later legs.

 

[tsergori]

You won't be able to use a SWU. SWU's require a ticket reissue and AA cannot reissue a ticket that is on QF ticket stock.

Thanks for the info.

Do you know if this a relatively new rule, or something that was only enforced randomly in the past? I definitely used a SWU on a QF ticket about two years ago ...

Cheers