The restriction in the award booking UI isn’t exactly news - there have been posts about it for a while. I shared this screenshot in some thread here on Dec 8:





But if they now (?) made it a formal policy in the documented MileagePlan rules, it will become less and less likely that an AS agent can override it.

This, combined with the snip snip snip interlining of bags change makes AS less and less customer friendly. I would have hoped the joining of OW would make alliance travel more seemless and beneficial… but no.

I still have some 250k AS miles and 75k status this year, but will likely drop to nobody as I have shifted to LP earnings on AA. So I guess if I want OW/partner benefits for awards paid for with those miles (say, choosing seats on BA flights without fee) I’d better get them done this year.