AA - How do I use mileage points to upgrade flight?

[MelUser]

You will need the Amadeus (checkmytrip.com) reference number.

I don't know how (but someone here will) get the amadeus number when all you have is the AA PNR.

 

[serfty]

Note that "Sticker" upgrades depend on space available/capacity and is only confirmed shortly before the flight.

In your situation, getting all five people upgraded each way is unlikely.

As noted, you would need 30 'stickers' for all five of you each way. Given the unlikelyhood of success, I'd give them a miss.

 

[MelUser]

Yes - this is all becoming ridiculously complicated!

The other problem with upgrade credit/sticker thing is that you can't do it for all members of the reservation.

Of all the complaining that goes on about the Qantas Frequent Flyer upgrade system - at least it is simple and easy to use and doesn't discriminate between ticket numbers!!!

 

[serfty]

So how do you go about upgrading an AA booked QF ticket?

If I put my AA booking reference, it says it can't be found...

You will need the Amadeus (checkmytrip.com) reference number.

I don't know how (but someone here will) get the amadeus number when all you have is the AA PNR.

Luis, you will need to call Qantas with your name and Qantas flight booking details. They will be able to provide you with the Amadeus booking reference.

It's far easier the other way.

MelUser, if you plug your Qantas booking into www.checkmytrip.com , you will see your AA booking reference under "your flight selection":

Airline confirmation number(s): American Airlines xx_xx_

You can plug this xx_xx_ number into AA.com "Find a Reservation" to retrieve AA's view of your booking - you may even be able to select seats on line.

 

[NM]

I don't know how (but someone here will) get the amadeus number when all you have is the AA PNR.

You telephone Qantas reservations on 131131 and ask them for the Qantas booking reference.

Note that in some cases when the ticket is issued by a travel agent or another airline, it may not be possible to request the upgrade online. So if it shows as unable to waitlist for an upgrade you need to call Qantas Frequent Flyer and ask them to add the segment to the upgrade waitlist. This can be done by a Qantas agent when its not possible to do it on line. This used to be the case for paper tickets, but can also happen for e-tickets issued on different GDS systems.

 

[LuisT]

Thanks All. Got my Amadeus number by calling Qantas, and as NM pointed out I can't seem to upgrade it online so will call in.

One more question though - are these taken out of the same buckets as award flights, or are they handled differently? I.e. can I see availability before I request the upgrade?

tks,

Luis

 

[MelUser]

For a domestic flight within Australia the QF operator will tell you immediately whether your flight has been upgraded.

For an international flight you will be added to a list and you will find out when you check in for your flight.

 

[LuisT]

So I just called Qantas to be waitlisted, and she said that because it's an AA ticket it's not possible... Is this a new change, or did I misunderstand what could be done?

Luis

 

[NM]

One more question though - are these taken out of the same buckets as award flights, or are they handled differently? I.e. can I see availability before I request the upgrade?

Although upgrades may slot into U class and that is the same class as used for awards, upgrades are processed differently. Awards can only be processed up to 24 hours before departure and upgrades are done <24 hours out. Upgrades do not require U or award flight availability at the 24 hour mark. They make U available for upgrade after award options have closed. While the availability of an award seat the day before travel may be an indication that at least one upgrade may be available, the lack of award seats does not imply any lack of upgrade availability. In my opinion, watching award availability is not a valid way to determine potential upgrade availability and is really just a waste of time and effort.

So I just called Qantas to be waitlisted, and she said that because it's an AA ticket it's not possible... Is this a new change, or did I misunderstand what could be done?

What is the fare basis that was purchased? I have upgraded a QF flight that was booked on an AA ticket. I had to call to have the upgrade request submitted manually. My example was a DONE4 ticket so upgrading from Business Class (D) to First Class.

If your AA ticket is in one of the ineligible classes (E, N, O, Q or X) then you cannot upgrade.

 

[MelUser]

My guess is that he's probably on an AA flight number where the flight is operated by Qantas. As I understand it, AA doesn't like ticketing transcontinental flights unless it's an AA number.

 

[LuisT]

If your AA ticket is in one of the ineligible classes (E, N, O, Q or X) then you cannot upgrade.

The fare class is V - is this upgradeable?

My guess is that he's probably on an AA flight number where the flight is operated by Qantas. As I understand it, AA doesn't like ticketing transcontinental flights unless it's an AA number.

It's booked as AA 7365 - not under a QF flight number. Does this mean that I can't upgrade it?

 

[MelUser]

Unfortunately you can't - must be QF on QF metal.

Perhaps the one world airlines could get together so that upgrades are possible across the alliance but us talking about it here isn't going to make it happen!

 

[NM]

It's booked as AA 7365 - not under a QF flight number. Does this mean that I can't upgrade it?

That is the problem. Must be booked on the QF flight number to upgrade using QF FF points.

 

[MelUser]

I have asked my TA to ticket on AA but keeping QF on QF and AA on AA.

I think I know the answer but thought I'd ask anyway.

I suspect that in Australia QF has a stranglehold such that all standard travel agent ticketing is done via QF.

I have recently booked a DONE4 starting with CX - ticket number is 081 xx_ xx_

and another one starting with BA and ticket number is 081 xx_ xx_

 

[simongr]

Of all the complaining that goes on about the Qantas Frequent Flyer upgrade system - at least it is simple and easy to use and doesn't discriminate between ticket numbers!!!

I actually find the QF system a bit of a bind and the AA one easy. I often try the online upgrade on QF and get told to contact my travel advisor whereas with AA it is a quick check on line to see availability and a quick call to AA to confirm the upgrade and seat (plus I dont burn miles on QQ upgrades - just eVIPs).

It is a matter of horse for courses...

 

[LuisT]

Bugger! I assume there's no way to upgrade with AA points, or get Qantas to re-ticket it with a QF number?

Looks like I'll be stuck up the back :-(

 

[NM]

Bugger! I assume there's no way to upgrade with AA points, or get Qantas to re-ticket it with a QF number?

Nope

Looks like I'll be stuck up the back :-(

Yep.

 

[NM]

I suspect that in Australia QF has a stranglehold such that all standard travel agent ticketing is done via QF.

Its just like passengers wanting to consolidate all their earning to one FF program. Qantas commission rates to travel agents can be based on the volume of business they put through Qantas. So they have incentive to put as much through Qantas as they can. As they are unlikely to have much volume through AA they will receive little commission for their effort.

 

[MelUser]

Here is the response from TA when asked to ticket via AA:

"We will have to ticket on QF paper, as it is their airfare and AA don’t have that fare."

 

[serfty]

Have you tried booking it on AA.com?