Oct 14, 2014, 10:32 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Help with British Airways and Iberia Carrier Imposed Surcharges
Using AAdvantage miles for awards using British Airways generally* incurs very high carrier imposed surcharges / fees (BA charges their own BAEC flyers these for Avios redemptions as well). AA awards on IB incur considerably lower fees (~$50 one way transatlantic is quoted by one member, the link to travelisfree.com below gives a BA flight with $458 YQ, IB $96). One FTer claims $700 BA YQ fees for SAN-PRG return, which is not unusual). You are likely to find lots of availability on BA using the aa.com award booking facility.
Intra-European awards using BA have significantly lower carrier imposed charges; some members may find using AA or other partner transatlantic connecting to BA may be acceptable.
NOTE: Paying YQ may trigger a host of other taxes and fees otherwise not charged on awards that do not include carrier imposed surcharges such as YQ. Flights within the Americas are YQ exempt.
As this is still flying on an award, these carrier imposed surcharges do not qualify for EQM or EQD earning.
Be sure to read the oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on thread wiki for information on searching for and finding alternative flights or those not shown on aa.com, which airlines' websites can find those, etc.
Read more about BA Carrier Imposed Surcharges on AA awards here (rrgg supplied most of these below:
Fuel Surcharge for AA award redemptions on BA are up - again.
Partner airline awards now bookable on AA.com (AB, AS, AY, BA, HA, HG, QF, RJ, US)
Does AA push most of its European Awards to BA to collect fuel surcharges?
Charts from TravelIsFree for the three alliances and how you will pay (or avoid) YQ: http://travelisfree.com/2014/04/15/m...surcharges-yq/
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
AA oneworld and Other Airline ("All Partner") Award information, rules (2015 on)
Originating a flight in the UK incurs an Air Passenger Duty, reduced for seats with less than 40" seat pitch (except those originating from originating in BFS / Northern Ireland, Scottish Highlands (INV) or Islands, and connections less than 24 hours do not incur UK Air Passenger Duty, though they do incur airport Passenger Service Charges). Separate topic, dealt with:
UK APD / Air Passenger Duty charged for UK departures (Master Thread); defines what the APD is in the wikipost.
Avoiding crazy UK "APD" taxes when transferring through LHR on separate tickets
Archived posts May 2012 - 2016 may be read here.
Using AAdvantage miles for awards using British Airways generally* incurs very high carrier imposed surcharges / fees (BA charges their own BAEC flyers these for Avios redemptions as well). AA awards on IB incur considerably lower fees (~$50 one way transatlantic is quoted by one member, the link to travelisfree.com below gives a BA flight with $458 YQ, IB $96). One FTer claims $700 BA YQ fees for SAN-PRG return, which is not unusual). You are likely to find lots of availability on BA using the aa.com award booking facility.
Intra-European awards using BA have significantly lower carrier imposed charges; some members may find using AA or other partner transatlantic connecting to BA may be acceptable.
NOTE: Paying YQ may trigger a host of other taxes and fees otherwise not charged on awards that do not include carrier imposed surcharges such as YQ. Flights within the Americas are YQ exempt.
As this is still flying on an award, these carrier imposed surcharges do not qualify for EQM or EQD earning.
Be sure to read the oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on thread wiki for information on searching for and finding alternative flights or those not shown on aa.com, which airlines' websites can find those, etc.
Read more about BA Carrier Imposed Surcharges on AA awards here (rrgg supplied most of these below:
Fuel Surcharge for AA award redemptions on BA are up - again.
Partner airline awards now bookable on AA.com (AB, AS, AY, BA, HA, HG, QF, RJ, US)
Does AA push most of its European Awards to BA to collect fuel surcharges?
Charts from TravelIsFree for the three alliances and how you will pay (or avoid) YQ: http://travelisfree.com/2014/04/15/m...surcharges-yq/
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
AA oneworld and Other Airline ("All Partner") Award information, rules (2015 on)
Originating a flight in the UK incurs an Air Passenger Duty, reduced for seats with less than 40" seat pitch (except those originating from originating in BFS / Northern Ireland, Scottish Highlands (INV) or Islands, and connections less than 24 hours do not incur UK Air Passenger Duty, though they do incur airport Passenger Service Charges). Separate topic, dealt with:
UK APD / Air Passenger Duty charged for UK departures (Master Thread); defines what the APD is in the wikipost.
Avoiding crazy UK "APD" taxes when transferring through LHR on separate tickets
Archived posts May 2012 - 2016 may be read here.
Carrier Imposed Surcharge / YQ: AA award on BA / British (& IB) & avoiding it
Feb 10, 2019, 12:21 am
#151
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
This is normal for AA redemptions on BA. If you search, there are lots of threads about this. It has been this way with BA for many years now. The exorbitant fees are unique to BA, but not everyone is against at least having the option available.
That said, most people here wouldn't consider Norwegian's premium seat to come anywhere close to a true lie-flat product. (I wouldn't fly BA's J either in most cases, because it's so narrow, but still; Norwegian is just an extra-reclining recliner like the old Virgin America product).
In any event, AA flies true lie-flat business class seats into CDG from MIA, DFW, CLT, PHL, JFK, and ORD. You can get to all those cities nonstop from SFO, including various lie-flat options on those, too. Of course, odds of finding a "saver" redemption SFO-XXX-CDG on your preferred dates are nearly zero, but you should still set ExpertFlyer alerts (for each TATL leg individually and for the 2-segment itineraries) in case it pops up -- total of 12 alerts. If availability does pop up, you may be able to redeem 57,500 miles and $5.60-11.20 for an excellent all-AA itinerary. It just takes some work and luck.
That said, most people here wouldn't consider Norwegian's premium seat to come anywhere close to a true lie-flat product. (I wouldn't fly BA's J either in most cases, because it's so narrow, but still; Norwegian is just an extra-reclining recliner like the old Virgin America product).
In any event, AA flies true lie-flat business class seats into CDG from MIA, DFW, CLT, PHL, JFK, and ORD. You can get to all those cities nonstop from SFO, including various lie-flat options on those, too. Of course, odds of finding a "saver" redemption SFO-XXX-CDG on your preferred dates are nearly zero, but you should still set ExpertFlyer alerts (for each TATL leg individually and for the 2-segment itineraries) in case it pops up -- total of 12 alerts. If availability does pop up, you may be able to redeem 57,500 miles and $5.60-11.20 for an excellent all-AA itinerary. It just takes some work and luck.
Feb 10, 2019, 6:17 am
#152
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,016
Point accrual: https://en.norwegianreward.com/earn-...avel/norwegian
Status benefits: https://en.norwegianreward.com/about-us/about-rewards
Feb 10, 2019, 7:11 am
#153
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
What do you mean? To my knowledge, you earn points on all Norwegian flights.
Point accrual: https://en.norwegianreward.com/earn-...avel/norwegian
Status benefits: https://en.norwegianreward.com/about-us/about-rewards
Point accrual: https://en.norwegianreward.com/earn-...avel/norwegian
Status benefits: https://en.norwegianreward.com/about-us/about-rewards
Feb 10, 2019, 8:28 am
#154
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 152
This is normal for AA redemptions on BA. If you search, there are lots of threads about this. It has been this way with BA for many years now. The exorbitant fees are unique to BA, but not everyone is against at least having the option available.
That said, most people here wouldn't consider Norwegian's premium seat to come anywhere close to a true lie-flat product. (I wouldn't fly BA's J either in most cases, because it's so narrow, but still; Norwegian is just an extra-reclining recliner like the old Virgin America product).
In any event, AA flies true lie-flat business class seats into CDG from MIA, DFW, CLT, PHL, JFK, and ORD. You can get to all those cities nonstop from SFO, including various lie-flat options on those, too. Of course, odds of finding a "saver" redemption SFO-XXX-CDG on your preferred dates are nearly zero, but you should still set ExpertFlyer alerts (for each TATL leg individually and for the 2-segment itineraries) in case it pops up -- total of 12 alerts. If availability does pop up, you may be able to redeem 57,500 miles and $5.60-11.20 for an excellent all-AA itinerary. It just takes some work and luck.
That said, most people here wouldn't consider Norwegian's premium seat to come anywhere close to a true lie-flat product. (I wouldn't fly BA's J either in most cases, because it's so narrow, but still; Norwegian is just an extra-reclining recliner like the old Virgin America product).
In any event, AA flies true lie-flat business class seats into CDG from MIA, DFW, CLT, PHL, JFK, and ORD. You can get to all those cities nonstop from SFO, including various lie-flat options on those, too. Of course, odds of finding a "saver" redemption SFO-XXX-CDG on your preferred dates are nearly zero, but you should still set ExpertFlyer alerts (for each TATL leg individually and for the 2-segment itineraries) in case it pops up -- total of 12 alerts. If availability does pop up, you may be able to redeem 57,500 miles and $5.60-11.20 for an excellent all-AA itinerary. It just takes some work and luck.
Feb 10, 2019, 9:09 am
#156
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
Did you look at possible LAX-CDG availability using AA miles on TN / Air Tahiti Nui?
See
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
More award availability restricted by married segments / connections
See
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
More award availability restricted by married segments / connections
Feb 10, 2019, 9:48 am
#157
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
A premium seat on Norwegian is actually more like a Premium Economy seat on most other TATL flights. As bad as BA Metal is, their Business Class seat and service is much better than Norwegian.
Feb 10, 2019, 9:58 am
#158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Norwegian may actually be in business long enough to fly you to Paris and back.
Feb 10, 2019, 6:37 pm
#161
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA
Posts: 22
I wanted to use some of my AA mileage to get to Paris. I found a one-stop/change Business class itinerary from SFO to CDG - with fees of about $600!
For about the same money I got a premium seat, non stop, on Norwegian. No miles.
The AA flights were actually on BA. These exorbitant fees to use miles must be to compensate BA?
Also I find AA award itineraries feature extraneous stops and connections usually. Award travel on AA is not as useful as it used to be.
For about the same money I got a premium seat, non stop, on Norwegian. No miles.
The AA flights were actually on BA. These exorbitant fees to use miles must be to compensate BA?
Also I find AA award itineraries feature extraneous stops and connections usually. Award travel on AA is not as useful as it used to be.
I used this list of direct AA flights from the Wiki:
AMS - PHL, DFW(s)
ATH - ORD (s), PHL(s)
BCN - CLT(s), JFK, MIA, ORD(s), PHL(s)
BLQ - PHL(s)
BUD - PHL(s)
CDG - CLT (s), DFW, JFK, MIA, ORD (s), PHL
DBV - PHL(s)
DUB - CLT(s), DFW(s), ORD(s), PHL
EDI - PHL(s)
FCO - CLT(s), JFK (s), ORD(s), PHL, DFW(s)
FRA - CLT, DFW
KEF - DFW (s)
LIS - PHL(s)
LHR - CLT, DFW, JFK, LAX, MIA, ORD, PHL, PHX (s), RDU
MAD - CLT(s), DFW, JFK, MIA, PHL
MAN - PHL
MUC - CLT, DFW(s), PHL (ends March 30, 2019)
MXP - JFK, MIA
PRG - PHL(s)
SNN - PHL(s)
TXL - PHL(s)
VCE - PHL(s), ORD(s)
ZRH - PHL
Feb 10, 2019, 8:16 pm
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Feb 27, 2019, 3:44 pm
#163
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Northern California, USA
Programs: Most FF and hotel, i.e., spread too thin.
Posts: 142
...AA flies true lie-flat business class seats into CDG from MIA, DFW, CLT, PHL, JFK, and ORD. You can get to all those cities nonstop from SFO, including various lie-flat options on those, too. Of course, odds of finding a "saver" redemption SFO-XXX-CDG on your preferred dates are nearly zero, but you should still set ExpertFlyer alerts (for each TATL leg individually and for the 2-segment itineraries) in case it pops up -- total of 12 alerts. If availability does pop up, you may be able to redeem 57,500 miles and $5.60-11.20 for an excellent all-AA itinerary. It just takes some work and luck.
[well aware that Norwegian is not in the same class at the front of the plane - but perfectly good enough for me. Their economy seating on 787s is quite competitive.)
Feb 27, 2019, 7:54 pm
#164
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
Plat - I was able to get a return for 57.5K miles - CDG-LHR on BA, then AA to LAX and on to SFO. I may try to improve that itinerary using some of the useful advice on this site. Thanks.
[well aware that Norwegian is not in the same class at the front of the plane - but perfectly good enough for me. Their economy seating on 787s is quite competitive.)
[well aware that Norwegian is not in the same class at the front of the plane - but perfectly good enough for me. Their economy seating on 787s is quite competitive.)
Mar 1, 2019, 2:59 pm
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Plat - I was able to get a return for 57.5K miles - CDG-LHR on BA, then AA to LAX and on to SFO. I may try to improve that itinerary using some of the useful advice on this site. Thanks.
[well aware that Norwegian is not in the same class at the front of the plane - but perfectly good enough for me. Their economy seating on 787s is quite competitive.)
[well aware that Norwegian is not in the same class at the front of the plane - but perfectly good enough for me. Their economy seating on 787s is quite competitive.)