AA puts you on BA; BA puts you on AA -why?
Sep 30, 2014, 8:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fayetteville, AR
Programs: AA
Posts: 49
AA puts you on BA; BA puts you on AA -why?
I am trying to book flite to Ireland, and would prefer to fly AA as I can select better seats (AA plat) and the fares are somewhat lower. In trying to book, the AA website routes ALL their longer flights onto BA metal (dfw-lhr or ord-lhr). Ironically, the BA site (more expensive, can't do the seating assignments) routes you on AA (!) on almost all their flights. Pretty ridiculous -- so what don't I understand?
Sep 30, 2014, 11:17 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FNT, but DTW if I can't help it
Programs: AAdvantage Former EXP/Current PLT / Total Rewards - Diamond / Hilton HHonors - Gold
Posts: 757
I've seen this before too. It's annoying particularly with the YQ on BA flights. What I usually end up doing is pricing the flights out on ITA Matrix and calling AA to book. I can usually convince the AAgent to waive the phone booking fee if I can't get the AA website to produce the flights I get from ITA.
Sep 30, 2014, 11:20 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ORD
Posts: 986
If you're using avios, you can fly direct to Ireland on Air Lingus with minimal fuel surcharges.
Oct 1, 2014, 2:31 am
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
AA Platinums can pre-select any seat on BA long haul other than exit rows, and can pre-select anything on short haul. Price being equal, if you're not intending to upgrade and it's the same number of segments, I'm not sure I understand why you'd want to avoid BA.
Oct 1, 2014, 11:54 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 162
But they charge Platinums to change seats now. I just noticed that if I change to a DEF section seat on a 777, it is $27 and $38 for any others (in coach).
Oct 1, 2014, 2:57 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,597
Not only that, but ime, since BA only allows those with status / full fare ticket holders to select seats without charge in advance, there is a much better selection of seats to choose from than with AA
Oct 1, 2014, 4:26 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 731
Can you provide more information on this? I am AA Plat and have in the last 30 days been able to change seats on a BA 773 and 744 free of charge (not able to select exit row seats on the 744 but I'll live).
Oct 2, 2014, 3:21 am
#9
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
This is 100% what both my wife and I have experienced when each of us was Platinum, and what the current state of play on oneworld benefits on BA is.
Oct 2, 2014, 3:27 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FNT, but DTW if I can't help it
Programs: AAdvantage Former EXP/Current PLT / Total Rewards - Diamond / Hilton HHonors - Gold
Posts: 757
I don't think this is accurate at all. Looks like your AAdvantage number is either not entered, or the status isn't updating in BA's system. In any case, not a benefit change that I've ever heard of.
This is 100% what both my wife and I have experienced when each of us was Platinum, and what the current state of play on oneworld benefits on BA is.
This is 100% what both my wife and I have experienced when each of us was Platinum, and what the current state of play on oneworld benefits on BA is.
Oct 2, 2014, 5:02 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,282
I am trying to book flite to Ireland, and would prefer to fly AA as I can select better seats (AA plat) and the fares are somewhat lower. In trying to book, the AA website routes ALL their longer flights onto BA metal (dfw-lhr or ord-lhr). Ironically, the BA site (more expensive, can't do the seating assignments) routes you on AA (!) on almost all their flights. Pretty ridiculous -- so what don't I understand?
I wonder if this is done on purpose by both parties to make it more difficult to use the different upgrade possibilities.
