AWARD DESK: Information about AA, Partner, and oneworld Awards
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AA Awards - These awards are redeemed on AA flights only and can be booked online via AA.com. All AA Awards are now booked on a one-way basis. AAnytime Awards book into full fare inventory classes and are available on any flight that is not sold out. MileSAAver Awards require half as many miles as AAnytime Awards, but have limited availability and other restrictions. Dynamic Air Awards are available to AAdvantage elite members only for Economy class travel, and require fewer miles than AAnytime Awards, depending on current flight bookings. Reduced Mileage Awards are available to AAdvantage-branded credit card holders, and require fewer miles than MileSAAver Awards, with destinations varying quarterly, but can only be booked via phone. AA Awards are still subject to certain taxes and fees, which are generally $5.00 per ticket for domestic destinations, but can be much higher for international destinations.
Partner Airline Awards (now branded "oneworld and Other Airline Awards") - These awards are redeemed on one or more AA partner airlines (and can include AA flight segments as well as flights on certain non-oneworld partner airlines). Currently, only awards with AA, AB, AS, BA, HA, and QF segments can be booked online via AA.com, while itineraries involving any other partner airline must be booked by phone. Partner Airline Awards are booked on a one-way basis and mileage costs vary by origin and destination. Availability is limited based on AA MileSAAver inventory or the partner airline equivalent, and there is no corresponding AAnytime version of this award. Partner Airline Awards are still subject to certain taxes and fees, which can be significant for international destinations, especially when traveling on BA.
oneworld Explorer Awards (previously branded "oneworld Awards") - These awards are redeemed on multiple oneworld airlines (at least two), often for round-the-world travel, and can only be booked by phone. oneworld Explorer Awards are generally booked as multi-city itineraries adhering to special routing restrictions and mileage costs vary depending on the total distance traveled. Availability is limited based on AA MileSAAver inventory or the partner airline equivalent, and there is no corresponding AAnytime version of this award. oneworld Explorer Awards are still subject to certain taxes and fees, which can be significant for international destinations, especially when traveling on BA.
Is it possible to get a stopover on an international award?
And which way would I ask?
I want to go to London and Helsinki this fall with miles. There are flights with reasonable mileage costs available. Many flights to/from Helsinki go through London. In fact, many AA flights to European cities go through London. Can I get a stopover (either in London or Helsinki or some place else like St. Petersburg) under AA rules? I don't care which city I visit first and which last.
Programs: AA 1MM EXP/JL/CX EMD, UA 1K/NH/SQ *G, VS S, DL PM, Marriott PLT/ICH AMB PLT/HH/AMex PLT/Hertz PC
Posts: 1,413
Quote:
Originally Posted by Halle8
And which way would I ask?
I want to go to London and Helsinki this fall with miles. There are flights with reasonable mileage costs available. Many flights to/from Helsinki go through London. In fact, many AA flights to European cities go through London. Can I get a stopover (either in London or Helsinki or some place else like St. Petersburg) under AA rules? I don't care which city I visit first and which last.
Thank you
If you mean over 24 hours, then no, you need two separate awards. Stopover is only allowed in US gateways that are the stop before your next international flight, or right after you arrive from an international city.
Programs: AA EXP 1.9MM Admiral Club National Car E Hilton GLD Hyatt PLT Club Carlson GE Marriott GLD
Posts: 1,111
Did you try the search function for stopover?
Most European flights may go through London, and you can stay there as long as its under 24hrs for your connection to Helsinki. There is a seasonal ORD-HEL flight though. All AA international award travel are allowed a stopover to/from the US gateway city.
__________________
Master of my thoughts, slave to my words....
If you mean over 24 hours, then no, you need two separate awards. Stopover is only allowed in US gateways that are the stop before your next international flight, or right after you arrive from an international city.
I understand that if you flight originates in the US and goes overseas, for some unknown reason you are only allowed a domestic stopover. But what if my flight ORIGINATES in Europe? Say it originates in St. Petersburg, Russia or Helsinki? Can I than make a stopover in London before I get to NYC?
Programs: AA 1MM EXP/JL/CX EMD, UA 1K/NH/SQ *G, VS S, DL PM, Marriott PLT/ICH AMB PLT/HH/AMex PLT/Hertz PC
Posts: 1,413
Quote:
Originally Posted by Halle8
I understand that if you flight originates in the US and goes overseas, for some unknown reason you are only allowed a domestic stopover. But what if my flight ORIGINATES in Europe? Say it originates in St. Petersburg, Russia or Helsinki? Can I than make a stopover in London before I get to NYC?
Is there any way of doing it?
Unfortunately, nope. When you fly from Europe, you can get a stopover in the US gateway, but not any cities in Europe.
Programs: AA EXP (LTG), Hilton Silver (former Dia), Marriott Plat (LTG, former PP), SPG Gold (soon to be LTP)
Posts: 3,740
Quote:
Originally Posted by Halle8
I understand that if you flight originates in the US and goes overseas, for some unknown reason you are only allowed a domestic stopover. But what if my flight ORIGINATES in Europe? Say it originates in St. Petersburg, Russia or Helsinki? Can I than make a stopover in London before I get to NYC?
Is there any way of doing it?
No, the stopover must be your last or first stop in North America (with restrictions), doesn't matter where you originate. There is no European/Asia/otherwise stopover plan at the moment.
Stopovers in Europe (and elsewhere) are permitted on AA's distance-based "Explorer" awards. On AA's zone-based one-way international awards, however, the only stopover permitted is at the itinerary's North American gateway.
AWARD DESK: Information about AA, Partner, and oneworld Awards
