AAdvantage changes some routing Rules - for the better!

[LittleFokker]

It’s so rare when a FF program makes a change that isn’t an “enhancement”!

I just booked F (Apartment) SYD-AUH-LHR 115K AAdvantage as opposed to the 160K or so I’ve paid before. A380 all the way

The cherry on top was that I was changing from an existing MH J SYD-KUL-LHR on the same date. Just before I committed with the agent I said I’d think about it. She went: “Oops, I already cancelled your MH flights”. Oops indeed.

End result was that they waived (“once only”) the $US150 change fee.

 

[VPS]

Never booked anything using AA, don't even have any miles at this stage so keen to learn.
When booking, I take it from this thread that you have to ring and can't do it online.
Could these new rules now present better opportunities than LM I wonder?

Buzz I have booked some online - the issue is often paying the taxes you need to put another 0 in the postcode or just make one up

 

[I love to travel]

@boomy or anyone else that has done this recently with a QF connection, how did you go with luggage?. I have Bne to Auh to Mun. Auh to Mun is a 9 hour transit so not sure if QF will tag all the way through. I want to use the Aerotel hotel hence why interline is so important. Obviously all one PNR

 

[DC3]

Never booked anything using AA, don't even have any miles at this stage so keen to learn.
When booking, I take it from this thread that you have to ring and can't do it online ....

Not unless something has changed. I have used AA miles for award flights over a number of years and have only ever done it on-line (aa.com). The most recent was probably 3 years ago, though.

 

[I love to travel]

I can confirm that you need to ring. But use ethiad ff login to check availability. Note though AA agents can't see everything.

 

[Mattg]

Not unless something has changed. I have used AA miles for award flights over a number of years and have only ever done it on-line (aa.com). The most recent was probably 3 years ago, though.

You can indeed book many AAdvantage awards online, but never itineraries involving Etihad flights. Have to call up for that.

 

[goldenhorn]

This is awesome news! Do AA do buy points + bonus promotions on a regular basis like LM?

I'm on their email list, but curious to know what would be considered a good bonus to then take advantage of the Etihad changes.

 

[Mattg]

This is awesome news! Do AA do buy points + bonus promotions on a regular basis like LM?

I'm on their email list, but curious to know what would be considered a good bonus to then take advantage of the Etihad changes.

Yes they do, in fact there's a promo on right now - How to Buy & Redeem American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

I would say that >60% bonus miles is a fair deal with AA.

 

[Danger]

Very lucky.

In the past, before AA butchered the award chart and increased the costs, I flew PER-xSYD-AUH and PER-xMEL-xSYD-AUH. On both occasions was charged the cost of two awards. After the report from citrusb, I phoned AA and was told it would always be two awards because EY flies PER-AUH and, therefore, going via SYD is not the most direct routing. I was hoping I'd get 35k miles back (2 x 17.5k for the domestic J sectors) but no chance.

Next time I suggest HUACA. I did quite a few EY flights from Australia using AA (before devaluation) starting in BNE and connecting via MEL or SYD to AUH. Back then EY flew B789 to BNE with first class and my excuse for connecting was that I want to fly appartments, not first class. Most agents were confused by that but after explaining the difference between B789 and A380 they eventually granted same award connection.

It took some effort but I actually got AA to refund me 35k miles. Someone on FlyerTalk mentioned they got ASP-xSYD-AUH ticketed as one award so with that additional piece of information I phoned AA to ask the cost of PER-xSYD-AUH. The agent said it's two awards. I then asked about ASP to which she said it was one. I asked why one from ASP but two from PER to which she said ASP is much closer to SYD. It was also one award from ADL. I was transferred to web support but when that agent assured - twice - that I could find EY availability on the AA website I knew she was going to be of no help so I asked to be transferred to her supervisor. That got me back to where I started, AAdvantage bookings and not her supervisor. That agent transferred me to someone else and I asked simply how much for South Pacific to Middle East in F. She said it's one award. I told her I'd been twice overcharged and so she transferred me to AA customer service. I again explained my situation. Both of my flights in question are many, many months ago so the PNRs had been recycled. The agent was eventually able to review my bookings using the ticket numbers, although I also think they had been re-used. She didn't know what she could do but seemed to accept that it should be one award. She asked if I'd be satisfied if she deposited 35k miles back into my account and I said I would be. The miles were there 15 minutes later.

Now, to be fair, I actually think it should be two awards. The only reason I've persisted is because some lucky people have reported getting it as one. My understanding of AA's routing rules is that the overwater carrier must publish a fare between the two cities. Back when I traveled, EY did fly PER-AUH so I very much doubt they had a fare PER-xSYD-AUH and I'm sure they wouldn't have had one with PER-SYD operated by QF. Second, my understanding is that the maximum permitted mileage is the most direct route between the two cities, plus 25%. PER-AUH is 5605 miles; PER-SYD-AUH is 9532, much more than another 25%. It really is a significant backtrack. But, as I say, if others have had success with one award, it was worth me pursuing it further.

 

[Vic]

I've just seen etihad award flights on the AA app. Has this changed in the last 2 weeks?

 

[Franky]

I've just seen etihad award flights on the AA app. Has this changed in the last 2 weeks?

Pretty much came online 2-3 weeks ago. I was able to book multi city and multi airline (EY, IB and QR) in the same transaction on 05MAY19.