Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: IB+ Gold, TK E+, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, IHG Diamond
Posts: 14,170
Flying standby isn't really a "thing" in Europe so something was lost in translation.
The most likely scenario I can think of is that AA didn't properly issue e-tickets for your award. So you had a reservation but no ticket attached. Check your e-mail confirmations for an e-ticket number or contact AA to double check.