Originally Posted by
skimthetrees
Yeah, that is a thing. A JAL thing. JAL is the only program I know of that does divorced segments, and not all segments are restricted, but some are. And, it can change. This might be JAL trying to bring partners in line with its own program. JAL Mileage Bank has an award booking restriction for its program that says, "Itineraries must originate or terminate in Japan". IOW, JAL MB members must use two awards to book SGN-BOS (breaks in Japan).
QR is notorious for this divorced/unmarried segment logic, where to and from DOH are available, but not when connecting at DOH. I've seen same with AC with TK not allowing to connect to or from its domestic flights, and with NH not allowing to connect to or from its domestic flights. Of course these restrictions come and go, but the worst is with QR, I observed.