AAdvantage - Unable to book flights

[JalanM111]

I'm not having any success booking 1 seat BNE to LHR Business or First for August 2016 using "Miles".
Can see loads of flights and when I go to purchase I get the message 'the flight you selected is no longer available. Please modify your request.'
Have modified my request till no flights are shown, have emailed AA and phoned them 4 times. Their reply is that Qantas hasn't released the flights yet! Is this possible?
This has been ongoing for a couple of months now. Have even purchased the training from the AFF Knowledge Centre for some helpful hints.
Can someone help me please?

 

[Mattg]

I'm not having any success booking 1 seat BNE to LHR Business or First for August 2016 using "Miles".
Can see loads of flights and when I go to purchase I get the message 'the flight you selected is no longer available. Please modify your request.'
Have modified my request till no flights are shown, have emailed AA and phoned them 4 times. Their reply is that Qantas hasn't released the flights yet! Is this possible?
This has been ongoing for a couple of months now. Have even purchased the training from the AFF Knowledge Centre for some helpful hints.
Can someone help me please?

I daresay you're seeing "phantom availability" on the AA website.

Perhaps try checking for availability on the British Airways website. The availability on there is usually more accurate. If you can see it on the BA website, you should be able to book it with AA.

FWIW I just had a quick look and there seems to be a number of J awards from BNE to LHR via SIN and HKG on 3 August that can be booked.

I also found this via Dubai:
QF from BNE-MEL on 4 August
QF9 MEL-DXB on 4 August
BA104 DXB-LHR on 5 August

About a 6 hour wait in DXB required. Assuming that it's an allowable routing, perhaps try calling AA and asking for that?

Also, have you considered flying Etihad Airways via AUH. You'd have to book two separate awards (Australia-Middle East and Middle East-Europe) but availability in J and F is usually good and they have a good product. You'd have to call AA to book that but you can search for availability on the Etihad website. Look for "GuestSeat" availability.

 

[Oubline]

I have also found issues recently with phantom Qantas first flights on the AAdvantage website, with the same error message. You unfortunately won't be able to route through Dubai mixing BA and QF as suggested above, at least not on the same award. Two bookings would be required due to AAdvantage's inconsistent routing rules!

 

[JalanM111]

Many thanks Mattg and robbegong for your replies. Will take your advice and check the 'Hosting Metal' to remove the phantom flights.

 

[serfty]

If 'P' class (award F) shows on expert flyer, then Qantas First is generally bookable.