I am still confused

[maz1]

a short while ago, when I posted about reading of the ceasing of codeshare between AA Advantage and Etihad and I received a couple of replies saying that codeshare would cease, but Awards stay the same. (someone else posted that they wondered for how long it would be possible)

After thinking about this for a week or two, I'm really still no clearer on how the two differ- does it mean that after January, I will still be able to call up American and book Etihad Awards using my AA Miles?

The reason I'm harping on is that, right now I have confirmed Business (J) seats on Etihad from TLV - Amman - Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi to Melbourne - 3 seats which I've had for over six months and I'm very happy with those...
however, I suddenly thought how nice it would be to maybe stopover in Istanbul on the way home, instead of flying straight through .

I can get J seats from Istanbul to Abu Dhabi and from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne on the dates I want but I feel incredibly nervous about giving up my confirmed and ticketed seats in case anything goes wrong during the change-over of dates and routes.


I would really appreciate some thoughts and opinions on whether to take this opportunity to change, or leave it as is and visit IST another time.
I would be beyond devastated if anything did go wrong during the changes.

 

[yohy?!]

the existence of codeshares has no bearing on award tickets - airlines routinely sell tickets on each others flights as awards without using a codeshare flight number.

 

[Danger]

This thread holds is the repository of all AAdvantage wisdom: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....le-questions-aadvantage-newbie-59133-222.html.

 

[maz1]

This thread holds is the repository of all AAdvantage wisdom: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....le-questions-aadvantage-newbie-59133-222.html.

eeeeeeeeeeeek......there are over 200 pages -

please someone...should I be nervous about changing my flights (I've called two or three times, and there is definitely availability)

 

[RooFlyer]

You don't say, but I gather that your current booking is on EK, on AA codeshare using AA miles?

In any event, I wouldn't rely on advice here on a big call like you ask, no matter how knowledgeable the brains trust is. Call AA and ask direct.

 

[maz1]

yes, Roo, that is correct. I am using AA Miles for 3 business seats on Etihad.

I called American Airlines (Advantage) and they have said that they have availability on our new flights- it doesn't seem to be a problem.
but, I feel nervous and uneasy that anything could go wrong and the tickets do not get issued for that long trip home.

 

[RooFlyer]

The cessation of codeshares apparently kicks in on 25 March 2018. Up to that time, you should be able to change flights onto another EK codeshare, using AA miles, (but paying any penalties etc). After that time, you will still be able to change flights using your miles, but not onto a EK codeshare flight.

As you seem to know, AA won't issue tickets until close to departure date. But you should have enough documentation to have confidence; you could try asking them to re-issue the ticket straight away.

 

[maz1]

The cessation of codeshares apparently kicks in on 25 March 2018. Up to that time, you should be able to change flights onto another EK codeshare, using AA miles, (but paying any penalties etc). After that time, you will still be able to change flights using your miles, but not onto a EK codeshare flight.

As you seem to know, AA won't issue tickets until close to departure date. But you should have enough documentation to have confidence; you could try asking them to re-issue the ticket straight away.

Thank you again Roo -
All the other award flights I've ever booked with American have issued the tickets quite quickly.
We are flying out in September and back at end of October- our tickets were issued very quickly after I booked.
I probably won't breathe, eat nor sleep until the new tickets are issued

 

[MEL_Traveller]

the existence of codeshares has no bearing on award tickets - airlines routinely sell tickets on each others flights as awards without using a codeshare flight number.

In fact with one or two exception (QF services to ICN?) I've never seen awards sold as codeshares. You have to get the flight number of the operating airline for awards.

 

[mannej]

The cessation of codeshares apparently kicks in on 25 March 2018. Up to that time, you should be able to change flights onto another EK codeshare, using AA miles, (but paying any penalties etc). After that time, you will still be able to change flights using your miles, but not onto a EK codeshare flight.

As you seem to know, AA won't issue tickets until close to departure date. But you should have enough documentation to have confidence; you could try asking them to re-issue the ticket straight away.

EK = Emirates. The OP is talking about EY being Etihad?