want2beaqui

I am getting ready to book my very first award travel award from europe to melbourne. I am booking it for my mother in law who wants to visit her sister who is not well. The taxes and fees are nearly as expensive as just a ticket on china southern with no miles. (in the calculator i thought i had enough with my 50k to get her one way but was gobsmacked by the taxes since int he calc it said 0 taxes and fees) I see on AA.com that there is Economy mile saver available for 45k from LHR to MEL.

My question is:

Is it possible to call baec and have them book me this aa ticket on QF metal for the 45k?

On a side note:

I have roughly 50k miles with each of the three major alliances. I am trying to find the lowest cash way from Europe (any city) to melbourne. If anyone has kind advice it would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to get my mom in law out there before her sister passes.

Thanks in advance.

IMH

That's often the case when you redeem miles for economy flights, unfortunately. But the additional flexibility can mean it's still a good use of miles (e.g. being able to book outbound and return trips separately if you're not sure in advance how long your mother will want/need to stay).

If you post more details of cities (where in Europe will your mother be starting from?), dates and the flights you've found then I'm sure people will be happy to help (including me if I happen to be in front of the computer when you post).

want2beaqui

It can be from any european city as my sister in law has said she would cover the flight if she needs to re-position for the trip.

Thank you IMH for the kind repsonse.

She is very flexible on dates being retired and all.

IMH

I understand, but she probably has preferences... If she lives in Paris and wants to go next week then we won't start by searching for December trips beginning in Athens...

want2beaqui

Ok sorry... Late september to mid october any western european city. She live on the IOW.

IMH

Thanks. Also, even though technically off topic: which programmes are the Star Alliance and SkyTeam miles in? Miles & More? Flying Blue?

want2beaqui

Flyingblue and Aegean

IMH

I should have spotted that on your profile -- sorry for being slow.

Cash fares for random mid-week September dates seem to start at around 780 GBP for the return trip. Assume zero flexibility to change trip length.

Lots of redemption availability, pretty much every day. 50,000 Avios + around 330 GBP for LON-MEL via DXB (BA and Qantas) or KUL (Malaysia). Cash element only around 200 GBP for MEL-XXX-LHR because there's no APD.

Lots of Star Alliance availability on TG via BKK. 50,000 Aegean miles one way plus fees/taxes -- I'm not up to date on those I'm afraid but they won't be higher than BA's.

Bottom line: around 530 GBP plus 100,000 Avios/miles, with the flexibility to book each direction separately and at short notice, or 780 GBP for a cash ticket.

EDITED TO ADD: I ignored a question in your first post:
Unfortunately not. But if you have a friend or family member with AA miles they could.

want2beaqui

Thanks IMH... About all the same I discovered also... Sounds like I'll use OW for the return with Myles and *A on thai for the outbound.

Really thank you! Very helpful. Made me realize I'm not missing much and you confirmed for me!

Will post back what the final itinery I end up with.

IMH

Happy to help. I'm pretty sure we haven't missed anything but if I were you I'd wait until tomorrow (or the next day) before booking -- lots of people look at this thread and if there is a better way of doing things then someone will almost certainly let you know.

stifle

No. The cost is 50k Avios one-way plus taxes, fees, and charges.

alexwuk

No doubt an old topic - I know that in 2012 avois upgrades were only possible on BA issued (125 stock) tickets , has it changed?

Has this changed? I have a BA flight number, BA operated segment on an AA (001 stock) eTicket, issued in the country of my BAEC membership, in an eligible booking class (I) - is this avios upgrade-able?

KARFA

No, there hasn't been any change. The guide for UuA is:

• BA issued tickets (can include other carriers) ^
• TA issued (on BA stock) booking with only BA flights ^
• TA issued (on BA stock) booking with other carriers
• Tickets issued on non-BA stock

golfmad

It may not be relevant to you but if you happen to have AAdvantage miles you could use those.

jerry a. laska

No, he can't use AAdvantage miles because he is not booked in an eligible fare class for upgrading on participating airlines. Alexwuk is booked in "I".
From aa.com: