Originally Posted by
richardcrow
Yeah, see, that sounds good, but I don't buy that explanation. If that is truly the major contributor, then why I am I seeing zero availability on EK from US routes to DOH or DXB via AA. I am also seeing zero availability from any US routes to HKG on CX. I am also seeing zero availability from US to Europe on AY. All of these are via AAdvantage. I am also zero availability on QR from US to DOH. And finally close to zero on TN from US to PPT. All of these are for premium cabins via AA.
Something else is at play.
(/gen) I don't see how that contradicts the narrative of "airline frequent flyer programs partner with transferable points programs, causing own-program redemptions to increase and resulting in higher prices / less availability to partners (especially partners that don't price partner awards dynamically)"
Emirates Skywards, Finnair Plus, Cathay Asia Miles, and all of the other Avios flavors all partner with US bank programs, which could be construed to explain why the availability is so terrible through AAdvantage.