I am trying to plan a trip to the Galapagos Islands for sometime next August or September (but this is quite flexible). I need to get from UIO or GYE to GPS or SCY and back, doesn't matter which one, I am not picky. I have Avios and AA miles that I can utilize, with AA seemingly being the better deal (5k miles each way).

The route/s I am interested in flying are flown by XL. Due to this, searching for availability on AA is out. I have tried searching on both BA and Qantas, however their award search engines are less than ideal for these destinations (Qantas doesn't have the destination options in it's city list making it impossible to search for availability; BA you can search for in a roundabout way by looking for roundtrip tickets out of, instead of into, the Galapagos). Regardless, there is no availability, but when I log into Lan's website and search award tickets on these routes for my desired time period I see a ton of availability in the cheapest redemption category (theoretically the seats that should then also be available to BA, AA and all the other partners).

I have already tried calling AA and even asked them to search XL and not LA, but was told they can't do this and that LA covers all the LAN subsidiaries flying in S. America. The rep found no available reward inventory.

So, my question is how do I go about finding bookable award inventory to the Galapagos? It obviously exists, but how do I get either AA or BA to see it and book it for me?

Really appreciate any input and advice. I have searched all over and as best I can tell the best solution is to just keep calling until you get a competent phone agent.