No more free stopovers on AA???
Aug 26, 18, 8:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 14
No more free stopovers on AA???
I just tried to book CLT-DSM and then DSM-PHX a few days later (all non-stop and all in early December), saw good availability on Alaska Air website for both and even found the actual CLT-PHX with the DSM layover, all on AA, but the AS website wouldn't price it out as 12.5K - showing error 1580. I called and was told by the agent that the free stopover in DSM (or OMA, or anywhere) could not be booked because "American Airlines doesn't allow stopovers" even when booking with Alaska Air miles.
This is new; I asked the agent to explain and she reported that this change went into effect on Jan 1 2018.
Is this the case? Was the agent wrong? Thanks in advance.
This is new; I asked the agent to explain and she reported that this change went into effect on Jan 1 2018.
Is this the case? Was the agent wrong? Thanks in advance.
Aug 26, 18, 8:46 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,108
Found a number of blog postings that say stopovers on partners can only be in their hub cities. AS T&C's also seem to indicate they are only available with international awards. They also seem to say they are only available on awards consisting solely of AS flights.
"One en route stopover at an eligible city is allowed for each one-way award on international itineraries. An exception allowing an otherwise-illegal open jaw trip is permitted when travel is between the State of Alaska and the lower 48 states and a stopover occurs in Southeast Alaska. When award travel is redeemed solely on Alaska Airlines, one enroute stopover is allowed for each one-way award."
"One en route stopover at an eligible city is allowed for each one-way award on international itineraries. An exception allowing an otherwise-illegal open jaw trip is permitted when travel is between the State of Alaska and the lower 48 states and a stopover occurs in Southeast Alaska. When award travel is redeemed solely on Alaska Airlines, one enroute stopover is allowed for each one-way award."
Last edited by xliioper; Aug 26, 18 at 9:02 pm
Aug 27, 18, 1:15 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,417
I just tried to book CLT-DSM and then DSM-PHX a few days later (all non-stop and all in early December), saw good availability on Alaska Air website for both and even found the actual CLT-PHX with the DSM layover, all on AA, but the AS website wouldn't price it out as 12.5K - showing error 1580. I called and was told by the agent that the free stopover in DSM (or OMA, or anywhere) could not be booked because "American Airlines doesn't allow stopovers" even when booking with Alaska Air miles.
This is new; I asked the agent to explain and she reported that this change went into effect on Jan 1 2018.
Is this the case? Was the agent wrong? Thanks in advance.
This is new; I asked the agent to explain and she reported that this change went into effect on Jan 1 2018.
Is this the case? Was the agent wrong? Thanks in advance.
Aug 27, 18, 1:27 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,559
The issue here is that it is an entirely domestic itinerary and you can only add a stopover if you begin or end your trip outside the US. With that said, If you have an allowable (international) itinerary involving AA, you can pretty much stopover anywhere in the US using AA flights.
Aug 27, 18, 1:40 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
JL (NRT/HND) and now AY (HEL) are the only partners that allow stop-over on intra-regional award. Its not a change, its been that way for a long time now.
Not exactly, you can stop over on AS award involving AA for international (excl Canada since its same chart as continental US), AA members can't do that in their own program.
Example: 7 day stopover in DFW on the way to MEX
Example - 6 Days in MIA on BOS-Caribbean
Though Hawaii is a separate chart no stop-over
Example: 7 day stopover in DFW on the way to MEX
Example - 6 Days in MIA on BOS-Caribbean
Though Hawaii is a separate chart no stop-over
Last edited by CDKing; Aug 27, 18 at 1:50 pm
Aug 27, 18, 3:26 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,417
JL (NRT/HND) and now AY (HEL) are the only partners that allow stop-over on intra-regional award. Its not a change, its been that way for a long time now.
Not exactly, you can stop over on AS award involving AA for international (excl Canada since its same chart as continental US), AA members can't do that in their own program.
though Hawaii is a separate chart no stop-over
Not exactly, you can stop over on AS award involving AA for international (excl Canada since its same chart as continental US), AA members can't do that in their own program.
though Hawaii is a separate chart no stop-over
