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Older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF)
Note: Older posts have been archived off to this thread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)
Mar 12, 2017, 1:46 pm
#721
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 223
I want to book Qantas QF12 LAX-SYD, using AA miles (one-way for Jun 2017) I see plenty of availability on the Qantas website, but nothing on AA (in Y). Is there something I am missing?
Edited to add : RESOLVED. (user error - QF availability did not show on my original search, but when I logged in my AA account & searched again, it then showed up)
Edited to add : RESOLVED. (user error - QF availability did not show on my original search, but when I logged in my AA account & searched again, it then showed up)
Last edited by Auscal; Mar 23, 2017 at 8:12 am
Mar 12, 2017, 2:51 pm
#722
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Another is QF shows award availability 360 days out, AA only 330-331 days out.
Mar 12, 2017, 3:00 pm
#723
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,597
I am seeing plenty of availability on aa.com
8/6 AA6005 -> QF74 (LAX-SFO-SYD)
9/6 AA6005 -> QF74
10/6 QF12
11/6 QF12
12/6 QF12
13/6 QF94 -> QF420 (LAX-MEL-SYD)
14/6 QF12
No. QF only has 1 type of award
8/6 AA6005 -> QF74 (LAX-SFO-SYD)
9/6 AA6005 -> QF74
10/6 QF12
11/6 QF12
12/6 QF12
13/6 QF94 -> QF420 (LAX-MEL-SYD)
14/6 QF12
No. QF only has 1 type of award
Apr 28, 2017, 6:32 am
#724
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 19
Hello Folks!
I'm having difficulty finding any QF first class awards for LHR->SYD/MEL via AA, BA and even QF websites anytime from October 2017 to April 2018...I've had success over the years booking this route in F via AA Awards but I'm currently hitting a wall over the last few days.
I know QF9/10 to MEL will re-route via PER and will drop F from March 2018, but are there other changes on the way to QF1/2 for Sydney, for example, which mean that they've removed F inventory for awards? Or is it just a bit of bad luck this time around?
Apologies for missing anything obvious despite a bit of googling!
I'm having difficulty finding any QF first class awards for LHR->SYD/MEL via AA, BA and even QF websites anytime from October 2017 to April 2018...I've had success over the years booking this route in F via AA Awards but I'm currently hitting a wall over the last few days.
I know QF9/10 to MEL will re-route via PER and will drop F from March 2018, but are there other changes on the way to QF1/2 for Sydney, for example, which mean that they've removed F inventory for awards? Or is it just a bit of bad luck this time around?
Apologies for missing anything obvious despite a bit of googling!
Apr 28, 2017, 6:47 am
#725
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,597
I would suggest looking for a different carrier for the journey; QF is not reknown for releasing a lot of premium class availability for awards
QR via Doha is a much better bet at finding availability ( just checking for LHR-DOH and DOH-SYD for 13th Nov and found availability straight away)
QR via Doha is a much better bet at finding availability ( just checking for LHR-DOH and DOH-SYD for 13th Nov and found availability straight away)
Apr 28, 2017, 7:24 am
#726
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 19
I would suggest looking for a different carrier for the journey; QF is not reknown for releasing a lot of premium class availability for awards
QR via Doha is a much better bet at finding availability ( just checking for LHR-DOH and DOH-SYD for 13th Nov and found availability straight away)
QR via Doha is a much better bet at finding availability ( just checking for LHR-DOH and DOH-SYD for 13th Nov and found availability straight away)
May 1, 2017, 8:47 pm
#727
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 623
Just booked a saver F and saver J on the same flight SYD-DFW for early January '18. AA's search tool is broken and isn't showing any space. You need to use another tool like BA, QF, or ExpertFlyer. The saver F space (never more than 1) appears to be more readily available on weekday departures out of SYD. SYD-DFW has 9 saver economy seats available on numerous dates the weeks following 1/16/18.
I have yet to be able to identify a QF metal seat being released at 355 and then disappearing between then and 330 on any route I searched. Appears to me that you're much more likely to find space 270 and in. Will try to update the wiki later.
I have yet to be able to identify a QF metal seat being released at 355 and then disappearing between then and 330 on any route I searched. Appears to me that you're much more likely to find space 270 and in. Will try to update the wiki later.
May 14, 2017, 8:29 pm
#728
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, United Silver, Alaska MVP
Posts: 4
I'm trying to fly from DPS to ~anywhere in mainland Australia in October using AA miles and I can't find any award availability on AA (calling US number) or BA's website. Any recommendations for how to search for it? Unsure if there is ~zero space or if I'm looking in the wrong spot. Preferably business, but economy would be fine too.
May 14, 2017, 8:38 pm
#729
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
I'm trying to fly from DPS to ~anywhere in mainland Australia in October using AA miles and I can't find any award availability on AA (calling US number) or BA's website. Any recommendations for how to search for it? Unsure if there is ~zero space or if I'm looking in the wrong spot. Preferably business, but economy would be fine too.
DPS is a low budget holiday destination. You will find low cost carriers flying to Australia, especially PER. Some offer "business class" like JQ, that is really "economy plus" and not like a long haul business class. If you want to fly to mainland Australia, including PER, just pay cash. Note that DPS-PER is a shorter distance than PER-SYD
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=DPS-PER...D&MS=wls&DU=mi
Last edited by Mwenenzi; May 14, 2017 at 8:40 pm Reason: adde OW link
May 15, 2017, 12:19 am
#730
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Diamond, BW Diamond Select, Accor Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 4,228
I'm trying to fly from DPS to ~anywhere in mainland Australia in October using AA miles and I can't find any award availability on AA (calling US number) or BA's website. Any recommendations for how to search for it? Unsure if there is ~zero space or if I'm looking in the wrong spot. Preferably business, but economy would be fine too.
May 15, 2017, 1:45 am
#731
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,597
If CX has a fare that allows it, I wouldn't do it. The journey from Sydney to Denpasar is only .2,871 miles. To go via Hong Kong and it is 6,717 mi. The journey from HKG-DPS is 2136 miles on its own. From Perth it is .1,596 mi vs 5,869 mi.
A paid ticket in economy to Perth on Jetstar is only USD227 and a business class ticket on GA only USD900 with sydney at USD314 and USD1123 ( including about USD41 in taxes )
Given that it would be ( if available ) 40,000 AA miles, I wouldn't rate it as a great value use of points
A paid ticket in economy to Perth on Jetstar is only USD227 and a business class ticket on GA only USD900 with sydney at USD314 and USD1123 ( including about USD41 in taxes )
Given that it would be ( if available ) 40,000 AA miles, I wouldn't rate it as a great value use of points
Last edited by Dave Noble; May 15, 2017 at 1:50 am
May 22, 2017, 2:58 pm
#732
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: AA PP, DL DM, UA SL, CX GO, Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Gold
Posts: 16
If CX has a fare that allows it, I wouldn't do it. The journey from Sydney to Denpasar is only .2,871 miles. To go via Hong Kong and it is 6,717 mi. The journey from HKG-DPS is 2136 miles on its own. From Perth it is .1,596 mi vs 5,869 mi.
A paid ticket in economy to Perth on Jetstar is only USD227 and a business class ticket on GA only USD900 with sydney at USD314 and USD1123 ( including about USD41 in taxes )
Given that it would be ( if available ) 40,000 AA miles, I wouldn't rate it as a great value use of points
A paid ticket in economy to Perth on Jetstar is only USD227 and a business class ticket on GA only USD900 with sydney at USD314 and USD1123 ( including about USD41 in taxes )
Given that it would be ( if available ) 40,000 AA miles, I wouldn't rate it as a great value use of points
Jun 8, 2017, 1:50 pm
#733
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 612
i am looking for a qantas award from sydney to tokyo narita. via BA and QF websites i can see a SYD-BNE-NRT award avalable on the date I want but on the aa website i see nothing. If I call in, would the aa agent be able to find this award for me, even though it cant be found via the website tool?
Jun 8, 2017, 1:58 pm
#734
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
i am looking for a qantas award from sydney to tokyo narita. via BA and QF websites i can see a SYD-BNE-NRT award avalable on the date I want but on the aa website i see nothing. If I call in, would the aa agent be able to find this award for me, even though it cant be found via the website tool?
Jun 8, 2017, 2:06 pm
#735
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 612