Jan 14, 2015, 5:58 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF)
The basics:
QF releases their awards from 353 days out to QF FF's and some ffp's (Amadeus CRS). So at the 331 days (~Sabre CRS) AA for award release there are scant seats left. They tend to add more much closer to the day of flight, if there are seats available.
2017.07.08 edit by FlyerTalkUserName: For US flights it has been my recent, but limited experience that QF releases award availability around 10-11 months from departure. Consider searching for one seat in F and one in J as well.
Consider alternate cities. E.g. Flights to BNE might be easier to book with AA miles than SYD or MEL, so adding a segment from BNE might give you a trip denied by connecting in SYD. You might have to remind AA reservationists, because they might not consider BNE.
Consider alternate airlines, such as HA from HNL, TN via PPT, FJ via NAN, etc.
N.B. Travel via Honolulu, or Asia (e.g. HKG or NRT), will require two awards.
aa.com occasionally may report "phantom availability" of premium awards on Qantas.
2017.07.08 edit by FlyerTalkUserName: Conversely, aa.com occasionally may not show available Qantas awards. Use BA's search tool, QF's search tool, or service like ExpertFlyer to see availability. Call in to ticket.
The aa.com oneworld and Other Airline Award Chart may be seen here, for required miles and restrictions on connections.
Note: Reservation speculating, or tying up award space to "flip" in (or out of) Coupon Connection will not be tolerated. If you have an "extra" reservation, simply cancel or refund it. This will not be allowed in this forum either.
Qantas Routes
To be updated
SYD to LAX, DFW, HNL and YVR. SYD SFO restart delayed
BNE to LAX
MEL to LAX and DFW
SYD AKL JFK from 14 June 2023
Notes
Routes can change, so please check the schedule.
During low seasons some routes may not have flights every day.
Not all flights/routes have first class. Only the QF A380 aircraft have has first class.
QF have retired all B747's and sent them to the Mojave desert (July 2020)
+++++++++++++++++
/Moderator
Older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF)
Note: Older posts have been archived off to this thread
Updates & edits
20 May 2016 - JDiver
23 Sept 2019 - Mwenenzi QF routes added
11 Mar 2020 - Mwenenzi QF route changes
31 Jul 2020 - Mwenenzi QF B747 retired. More Covid-19 announcements from QF
07 Aug 2020 - Mwenenzi QF B787 to storage
12 Nov 2021 - Mwenenzi QF announcements 3 off
05 Mar 2022 - Mwenenzi QF announcements
12 Jun 2022 - Mwenenzi QF announcements removed (except 2) as AU fully open & QF flying AU<--->USA
24 Dec 2022 - Mwenenzi QF post CV19 announcements removed. MELDFW route added
THIS WIKI IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD VALUE.
The basics:
QF releases their awards from 353 days out to QF FF's and some ffp's (Amadeus CRS). So at the 331 days (~Sabre CRS) AA for award release there are scant seats left. They tend to add more much closer to the day of flight, if there are seats available.
2017.07.08 edit by FlyerTalkUserName: For US flights it has been my recent, but limited experience that QF releases award availability around 10-11 months from departure. Consider searching for one seat in F and one in J as well.
Consider alternate cities. E.g. Flights to BNE might be easier to book with AA miles than SYD or MEL, so adding a segment from BNE might give you a trip denied by connecting in SYD. You might have to remind AA reservationists, because they might not consider BNE.
Consider alternate airlines, such as HA from HNL, TN via PPT, FJ via NAN, etc.
N.B. Travel via Honolulu, or Asia (e.g. HKG or NRT), will require two awards.
aa.com occasionally may report "phantom availability" of premium awards on Qantas.
2017.07.08 edit by FlyerTalkUserName: Conversely, aa.com occasionally may not show available Qantas awards. Use BA's search tool, QF's search tool, or service like ExpertFlyer to see availability. Call in to ticket.
BA only shows 3 cabins in output. When searching for award seats, make sure to select 1st class as cabin and it will show premium economy, business and 1st rather than economy, premium economy and business
It only displays flights where there is a seat in at least one cabin. If there is no availability on the flight in any cabin, then the flight will not be displayed.
It only displays flights where there is a seat in at least one cabin. If there is no availability on the flight in any cabin, then the flight will not be displayed.
Note: Reservation speculating, or tying up award space to "flip" in (or out of) Coupon Connection will not be tolerated. If you have an "extra" reservation, simply cancel or refund it. This will not be allowed in this forum either.
Qantas Routes
To be updated
SYD to LAX, DFW, HNL and YVR. SYD SFO restart delayed
BNE to LAX
MEL to LAX and DFW
SYD AKL JFK from 14 June 2023
Notes
Routes can change, so please check the schedule.
During low seasons some routes may not have flights every day.
Not all flights/routes have first class. Only the QF A380 aircraft have has first class.
QF have retired all B747's and sent them to the Mojave desert (July 2020)
+++++++++++++++++
/Moderator
Older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF)
Note: Older posts have been archived off to this thread
Updates & edits
20 May 2016 - JDiver
23 Sept 2019 - Mwenenzi QF routes added
11 Mar 2020 - Mwenenzi QF route changes
31 Jul 2020 - Mwenenzi QF B747 retired. More Covid-19 announcements from QF
07 Aug 2020 - Mwenenzi QF B787 to storage
12 Nov 2021 - Mwenenzi QF announcements 3 off
05 Mar 2022 - Mwenenzi QF announcements
12 Jun 2022 - Mwenenzi QF announcements removed (except 2) as AU fully open & QF flying AU<--->USA
24 Dec 2022 - Mwenenzi QF post CV19 announcements removed. MELDFW route added
THIS WIKI IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD VALUE.
AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) & related (consolidated)
Feb 9, 2020, 1:36 pm
#961
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
There are some QF J awards in November but the most number of days you can have for a trip is 11 days or 9 full days in Oz.
Nothing available in December or January.
Wait to see if some availability opens up so you can have at least a 2-week trip or get them while you can?
Nothing available in December or January.
Wait to see if some availability opens up so you can have at least a 2-week trip or get them while you can?
Feb 9, 2020, 1:49 pm
#962
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
There are some QF J awards in November but the most number of days you can have for a trip is 11 days or 9 full days in Oz.
Nothing available in December or January.
Wait to see if some availability opens up so you can have at least a 2-week trip or get them while you can?
Nothing available in December or January.
Wait to see if some availability opens up so you can have at least a 2-week trip or get them while you can?
For Australians December and January is summer, annual vacations and schools & universities out. A busy time for locals to travel
Feb 9, 2020, 10:12 pm
#964
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 368
AA Biz or PE for SFO-SYD
It doesn't seem like AA offers the option for PE on QF metal. Even when I search out the calendar for one ticket on any day in all 2020, I find nothing.
I wanted to get advice on whether to keep "dreamin" about getting those business class or PE tickets on a direct flight?
Right now, I can keep "extending" my hold by finding the same itinerary on day 4 of my 5 day hold and holding the same flights/route. But so far in the last 2 weeks of doing this, I've not been able to find anything other than the 4 seats in economy, so I'm thinking of just ticketing those.
Feb 9, 2020, 10:22 pm
#965
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
..,,,,I wanted to get advice on whether to keep "dreamin" about getting those business class or PE tickets on a direct flight?
Right now, I can keep "extending" my hold by finding the same itinerary on day 4 of my 5 day hold and holding the same flights/route. But so far in the last 2 weeks of doing this, I've not been able to find anything other than the 4 seats in economy, so I'm thinking of just ticketing those.
Right now, I can keep "extending" my hold by finding the same itinerary on day 4 of my 5 day hold and holding the same flights/route. But so far in the last 2 weeks of doing this, I've not been able to find anything other than the 4 seats in economy, so I'm thinking of just ticketing those.
Have you looked at 2+2 is different class's?
Looked at FJ? (dedicated AA thread)
Have you looked at all the Qantas Routes
SYD to LAX, SFO, JFK(via LAX), DFW, HNL and YVR*
BNE to LAX, SFO** and ORD**
MEL to LAX and SFO
* Seasonable
**BNE ORD from 20 April 2020
**BNE SFO from 5 February 2020
Something is better than nothing
Feb 9, 2020, 10:26 pm
#966
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 368
If something becomes available between now and the flights you could change to PE or business awards.
Have you looked at 2+2 is different class's?
Looked at FJ? (dedicated AA thread)
Have you looked at all the Qantas Routes
SYD to LAX, SFO, JFK(via LAX), DFW, HNL and YVR*
BNE to LAX, SFO** and ORD**
MEL to LAX and SFO
* Seasonable
**BNE ORD from 20 April 2020
**BNE SFO from 5 February 2020
Something is better than nothing
Have you looked at 2+2 is different class's?
Looked at FJ? (dedicated AA thread)
Have you looked at all the Qantas Routes
SYD to LAX, SFO, JFK(via LAX), DFW, HNL and YVR*
BNE to LAX, SFO** and ORD**
MEL to LAX and SFO
* Seasonable
**BNE ORD from 20 April 2020
**BNE SFO from 5 February 2020
Something is better than nothing
Is it true that even with no AA status, even if I ticket the SFO-SYD on QF in economy, and later I find a PE or Business flight (even on a different routing) but keep the origin and destination the same and date of travel the same, there is ZERO change fee?
Last edited by kayexalate; Feb 10, 2020 at 11:36 am
Feb 16, 2020, 4:47 pm
#967
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: DL PM...SPG PM
Posts: 29
Need some Advice on QF AWARD WITH AA MILES
I am not sure what to do. I made a mileage res for 2 J seats on QF11 for Nov SYD-LAX-JFK. I put it on hold and said it was on hold until the 20th Australian time. I called AA to confirm the ticket is on hold until the 20th yesterday and called QF yesterday to inquire about an infant ticket before I ticketed it. I went to ticket it today and the reservation was cancelled. I called AA and they told me there is nothing they can do and the seats are not available. Basically the supervisor said i can sit in economy if I want and I said that is not the point. He was unwilling to put us on the AA flight at the saaver level. I am not sure if there is anything I can do or if anyone has any advice. I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
Thanks
Feb 16, 2020, 6:33 pm
#968
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
I am not sure what to do. I made a mileage res for 2 J seats on QF11 for Nov SYD-LAX-JFK. I put it on hold and said it was on hold until the 20th Australian time. I called AA to confirm the ticket is on hold until the 20th yesterday and called QF yesterday to inquire about an infant ticket before I ticketed it. I went to ticket it today and the reservation was cancelled. I called AA and they told me there is nothing they can do and the seats are not available. Basically the supervisor said i can sit in economy if I want and I said that is not the point. He was unwilling to put us on the AA flight at the saaver level. I am not sure if there is anything I can do or if anyone has any advice. I would greatly appreciate it.
AA cannot force QF to open 2 new very sought after awards.
There are threads to adding lap child to AA-QF award.
Master QF thread---> AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) & related (consolidated)
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Feb 16, 2020 at 7:31 pm
Feb 17, 2020, 5:11 am
#969
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,485
Spouse only wants direct flights (no connections) and all of us in the same class (no splitting up) and so that severely limits the options. With 2 young kids, I also want to minimize any additional flying time since 14.5 hours is plenty long. I'm ok with the economy direct SFO-SYD QF flight, but after my luck scoring the 4 biz flights on the return, I started getting greedy...
Is it true that even with no AA status, even if I ticket the SFO-SYD on QF in economy, and later I find a PE or Business flight (even on a different routing) but keep the origin and destination the same and date of travel the same, there is ZERO change fee?
Is it true that even with no AA status, even if I ticket the SFO-SYD on QF in economy, and later I find a PE or Business flight (even on a different routing) but keep the origin and destination the same and date of travel the same, there is ZERO change fee?
So if you book SFO-SYD on QF in economy now, and say SFO-LAX-SYD on AA/QF opens up in business, no fee to switch.
Feb 17, 2020, 5:44 am
#970
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: DCA/IAD & BUF
Posts: 1,402
Correct, no fee to change to a higher class of service if it opens up, assuming all flights remain on oneworld carriers and you don't change your origin or destination.
So if you book SFO-SYD on QF in economy now, and say SFO-LAX-SYD on AA/QF opens up in business, no fee to switch.
So if you book SFO-SYD on QF in economy now, and say SFO-LAX-SYD on AA/QF opens up in business, no fee to switch.
Feb 17, 2020, 1:38 pm
#971
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Mar 8, 2020, 12:38 pm
#972
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 19
Changing from QF & JL International Award to QF Domestic only
Hi All
I'd be grateful for guidance on a real niggle...
I have an AA award for PER-MEL-SYD-HND on QF and JL in J which was priced at 40k miles. Brilliant itinerary, but I no longer need to travel to Japan and so I'm trying to change the award to PER-MEL-SYD only in J. First AA agent claimed this is still priced at 40k because there is no equivalent published fare and so requires two awards at 20k each. I disagreed (you can purchase this route as a revenue booking via QF) and I ended the call to try again. Second AA agent claims this is still priced at 40k because it's QF rules and when I pushed a bit more the supervisor informed the agent it's because there is a connection. I can't find any rules suggesting that a connection on a QF domestic booking requires two awards...especially as that didn't seem to be an issue for the original PER-MEL-SYD-HND route on QF and JL.
I realise the direct PER-SYD flight would be a simple solution but, unfortunately, there isn't award availability for my travel date.
I'd be really grateful for any insight on QF domestic awards with AA miles to help avoid another 40 minutes hold on the phone to hit a brick a wall again.
Thanks!
I'd be grateful for guidance on a real niggle...
I have an AA award for PER-MEL-SYD-HND on QF and JL in J which was priced at 40k miles. Brilliant itinerary, but I no longer need to travel to Japan and so I'm trying to change the award to PER-MEL-SYD only in J. First AA agent claimed this is still priced at 40k because there is no equivalent published fare and so requires two awards at 20k each. I disagreed (you can purchase this route as a revenue booking via QF) and I ended the call to try again. Second AA agent claims this is still priced at 40k because it's QF rules and when I pushed a bit more the supervisor informed the agent it's because there is a connection. I can't find any rules suggesting that a connection on a QF domestic booking requires two awards...especially as that didn't seem to be an issue for the original PER-MEL-SYD-HND route on QF and JL.
I realise the direct PER-SYD flight would be a simple solution but, unfortunately, there isn't award availability for my travel date.
I'd be really grateful for any insight on QF domestic awards with AA miles to help avoid another 40 minutes hold on the phone to hit a brick a wall again.
Thanks!
Mar 8, 2020, 2:41 pm
#973
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: UA, QF, VS, AA, US, HH, SPG
Posts: 974
Hi All
I'd be grateful for guidance on a real niggle...
I have an AA award for PER-MEL-SYD-HND on QF and JL in J which was priced at 40k miles. Brilliant itinerary, but I no longer need to travel to Japan and so I'm trying to change the award to PER-MEL-SYD only in J. First AA agent claimed this is still priced at 40k because there is no equivalent published fare and so requires two awards at 20k each. I disagreed (you can purchase this route as a revenue booking via QF) and I ended the call to try again. Second AA agent claims this is still priced at 40k because it's QF rules and when I pushed a bit more the supervisor informed the agent it's because there is a connection. I can't find any rules suggesting that a connection on a QF domestic booking requires two awards...especially as that didn't seem to be an issue for the original PER-MEL-SYD-HND route on QF and JL.
I realise the direct PER-SYD flight would be a simple solution but, unfortunately, there isn't award availability for my travel date.
I'd be really grateful for any insight on QF domestic awards with AA miles to help avoid another 40 minutes hold on the phone to hit a brick a wall again.
Thanks!
I'd be grateful for guidance on a real niggle...
I have an AA award for PER-MEL-SYD-HND on QF and JL in J which was priced at 40k miles. Brilliant itinerary, but I no longer need to travel to Japan and so I'm trying to change the award to PER-MEL-SYD only in J. First AA agent claimed this is still priced at 40k because there is no equivalent published fare and so requires two awards at 20k each. I disagreed (you can purchase this route as a revenue booking via QF) and I ended the call to try again. Second AA agent claims this is still priced at 40k because it's QF rules and when I pushed a bit more the supervisor informed the agent it's because there is a connection. I can't find any rules suggesting that a connection on a QF domestic booking requires two awards...especially as that didn't seem to be an issue for the original PER-MEL-SYD-HND route on QF and JL.
I realise the direct PER-SYD flight would be a simple solution but, unfortunately, there isn't award availability for my travel date.
I'd be really grateful for any insight on QF domestic awards with AA miles to help avoid another 40 minutes hold on the phone to hit a brick a wall again.
Thanks!
Mar 8, 2020, 3:05 pm
#974
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Hi All
I'd be grateful for guidance on a real niggle...
I have an AA award for PER-MEL-SYD-HND on QF and JL in J which was priced at 40k miles. Brilliant itinerary, but I no longer need to travel to Japan and so I'm trying to change the award to PER-MEL-SYD only in J. First AA agent claimed this is still priced at 40k because there is no equivalent published fare and so requires two awards at 20k each. I disagreed (you can purchase this route as a revenue booking via QF) and I ended the call to try again. Second AA agent claims this is still priced at 40k because it's QF rules and when I pushed a bit more the supervisor informed the agent it's because there is a connection. I can't find any rules suggesting that a connection on a QF domestic booking requires two awards...especially as that didn't seem to be an issue for the original PER-MEL-SYD-HND route on QF and JL.
I realise the direct PER-SYD flight would be a simple solution but, unfortunately, there isn't award availability for my travel date.
I'd be really grateful for any insight on QF domestic awards with AA miles to help avoid another 40 minutes hold on the phone to hit a brick a wall again.
Thanks!
I'd be grateful for guidance on a real niggle...
I have an AA award for PER-MEL-SYD-HND on QF and JL in J which was priced at 40k miles. Brilliant itinerary, but I no longer need to travel to Japan and so I'm trying to change the award to PER-MEL-SYD only in J. First AA agent claimed this is still priced at 40k because there is no equivalent published fare and so requires two awards at 20k each. I disagreed (you can purchase this route as a revenue booking via QF) and I ended the call to try again. Second AA agent claims this is still priced at 40k because it's QF rules and when I pushed a bit more the supervisor informed the agent it's because there is a connection. I can't find any rules suggesting that a connection on a QF domestic booking requires two awards...especially as that didn't seem to be an issue for the original PER-MEL-SYD-HND route on QF and JL.
I realise the direct PER-SYD flight would be a simple solution but, unfortunately, there isn't award availability for my travel date.
I'd be really grateful for any insight on QF domestic awards with AA miles to help avoid another 40 minutes hold on the phone to hit a brick a wall again.
Thanks!
TRAVEL MUST BE NONSTOP OR DIRECT
If you want to go via Melbourne, then it does require 2 awards
If you purchase a fare of PER-SYD via MEL it will be made up of a PER-MEL and MEL-SYD fare
Last edited by Dave Noble; Mar 8, 2020 at 3:12 pm
Mar 9, 2020, 5:39 pm
#975
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Qantas has suspended or postponed a bunch of U.S. routes, as well as other international service. Check their press release if you have an upcoming award booking.