FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Using AA Miles for International Flights

Jan 31, 2014 | 10:22 am

#4

JPG3392

Join Date: Dec 2011

Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD

Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United

Posts: 2,395

Quote:

Originally Posted by hookemhorns612

Forgive my novice status here. I am just trying to get a quick answer without sifting through a plethora of noise online, plus I'm just a total noob...

I was just playing around on the AA booking system and was looking at flights from AUS to ROM (either airport) and there were plenty of options. The problem is that the associated fees are astronomical.

What's with that? Is this the case for most international award bookings? Are AA miles pretty much only best used for domestic travel?

Any other info on this would be great or ways to get around paying hefty fees when making such bookings would be great.

Thanks

Neil

You can avoid the high fees by using AB or IB (or AA itself) for the transatlantic flight. AB award travel (via DUS or TXL) can be booked online. IB award travel (via MAD) requires a phone call to AA. AB has very low fees. IB's fees are higher but nowhere near as high as BA's.