Using AA miles on EY flights and Australian Credit Card questions

[desafinado74]

Hi AFF community,

AA Miles Newbie here.
I am thinking of purchasing AA Miles to redeem flights with EY to Europe from Melbourne sometime in 2018.
I assume that i would have to call this number 02-9101-1948, to book the flights ?
And do you all think that it is worthwhile to buy AA Miles for Etihad flights ?
(Since i read that you will need to book 2 award flights, MEL-AUH, AUH - LHR for example, instead of just one)

Finally, after reading that some people had problems using their Australian credit cards to purchase AA Miles,
can i just use my US address (From Myus, the mail forwading company which i use) on my profile ?

Thank you!

 

[DC3]

I am thinking of purchasing AA Miles to redeem flights with EY to Europe from Melbourne sometime in 2018.
I assume that i would have to call this number 02-9101-1948, to book the flights ?

Yes, that's the number, for the cost of a local call (actually located in Fiji, but may be redirected to the USA after hours).

Also, you may already know this, but it helps to have checked the Etihad website to identify available seats, so as when you ring AA, you have the information to feed them.

... And do you all think that it is worthwhile to buy AA Miles for Etihad flights ?
(Since i read that you will need to book 2 award flights, MEL-AUH, AUH - LHR for example, instead of just one)

Only you can really decide if it's worth it (It was for me for F on the A380).

And it is two awards.

... Finally, after reading that some people had problems using their Australian credit cards to purchase AA Miles,
can i just use my US address (From Myus, the mail forwading company which i use) on my profile ? ...

I can't help with any information about Australian credit card problems, as I have never experienced problems paying for flights or miles on AA.com (and I've done it heaps of times). Is this a recent issue?

Also, if you intend buying soon, there is a current AA offer: Bonus 100,000 miles when buying 150,000 miles (this offer ends on 28/11/16):

https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/buy-gift-share.jsp?anchorEvent=false&from=Nav

However, similar AA miles sales happen from time to time:

 

[desafinado74]

Thanks a lot for the helpful reply DC3. Much appreciated!
With regards to the Aussie address/credit card issue, i just read about some people experiencing problems when trying to pay with their Aussie credit cards.
Anyway, i will stick with my home address in Melbourne and see what happens.

 

[Danger]

Thanks a lot for the helpful reply DC3. Much appreciated!
With regards to the Aussie address/credit card issue, i just read about some people experiencing problems when trying to pay with their Aussie credit cards.
Anyway, i will stick with my home address in Melbourne and see what happens.

The AA Fiji office (the Australian 02 number (which is obviously not a local call outside of NSW and the ACT)) will be able to take your Aussie credit card without a drama. You are correct, though, that the US agents can have a problem. I've got around it simply by adding a leading zero to the postcode.

 

[maz1]

I have found the Advantage call centre (I was not aware it was in Fiji) wonderfully helpful every time I've called. just excellent customer service from them.

I am also going to buy AA Miles in this current sale to book an EY flight - for some reason they take way more miles going to Europe than coming back. I'm looking forward to our flights which will be towards the end of 2017. I haven't had any problem using my Aussie CC

 

[desafinado74]

Thank you Maz and Danger. I feel more at ease now with purchasing AA Miles

Just another question...If you need to make changes (Date changes, cancellations) to an award booking (Say an EY flight), do you call AA or EY ? (I assume the AA website will give you the EY PNR number on your booking ?)

 

[DC3]

...If you need to make changes (Date changes, cancellations) to an award booking (Say an EY flight), do you call AA or EY ? (I assume the AA website will give you the EY PNR number on your booking ?)

Booking changes are done by phoning AA.

If you want to manage your EY booking (e.g., seat selection, meals, etc), get the EY PNR by phoning AA, then go to the EY web site.

Also, when buying miles on AA.com, no need to worry about entering the post code (as 4 or 5 digits, or State) for Australian billing address:

 

[desafinado74]

Thank you DC3 for the helpful reply

 

[maz1]

Thank you Maz and Danger. I feel more at ease now with purchasing AA Miles

Just another question...If you need to make changes (Date changes, cancellations) to an award booking (Say an EY flight), do you call AA or EY ? (I assume the AA website will give you the EY PNR number on your booking ?)

I did indeed buy miles in the last sale (new one announced today, but, alas, I've had my quota filled for this calendar year although I do see it's on until 3rd January) and booked what I think will be great flights to Europe on Etihad - hopefully it will be a great experience. Not flying for another nine months, so, no reviews from me until then.

Once again, the staff in Fiji were absolutely wonderful- I called at least five times, and each time they couldn't be more efficient and more helpful. five star service

 

[desafinado74]

I did indeed buy miles in the last sale (new one announced today, but, alas, I've had my quota filled for this calendar year although I do see it's on until 3rd January) and booked what I think will be great flights to Europe on Etihad - hopefully it will be a great experience. Not flying for another nine months, so, no reviews from me until then.

Once again, the staff in Fiji were absolutely wonderful- I called at least five times, and each time they couldn't be more efficient and more helpful. five star service

Did you find that, purchasing AA Miles to redeem EY flights turn out to be cheaper than paying for a J ticket ?
Sometimes, EY does discount their J flights.

 

[maz1]

i still had 180000 miles leftover from past AAmiles offers so it was less outlay to use the miles this time.

 

[maz1]

I do wish our AUD would pick itself up tbough...makes it so much more expensive to buy those AA miles

 

[desafinado74]

I agree about the exchange rate. I just hope the AUD$ does not fall too much next year.