Nov 19, 2013, 3:20 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Covid-19 Update:
For further information on AA awards see:
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver Award Availability - Help, Assistance & Discussion
and
AA oneworld and Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (2015 on)
N.B. Upgrades on QR book into fares not granted EQD/EQM by AA. If you're upgraded on QR, be prepared for pushback from some AA agents. You may have to submit a formal request with accompanying documentation reflecting you purchased an eligible fare class.
NOTE:AA has removed most EY and QR award access from aa.com due to a glitch booking these:
If you experience difficulties with the AA reservations system, you may be able to book by calling AA Australia (+61 2-9101-1948 ) then press 4 - or the New Zealand number (+64 09-308-4014) as an alternative - although the call center is actually in Suva, Fiji (South African agency Mindpearl) - as they can often see the inventory more reliably, and you can book.
NOTE: USA Canada travel on QR will earn EQ miles etc. in accordance with the fare class purchased.
Links:
Link to AA.com Qatar miles earning etc.
AA miles earning on QR changed 1 May 2016 (Link):
Minimum miles guarantee applies.
Checking QR award availability:
You can check QR availability on AA's site, BA's site, QF's site, www.awardnexus.com (which pulls from BA and/or QF), or the KVS tool. (A certain number of searches are free to FlyerTalk members at AwardNexus; click the "more signup options" link under the green Purchase button to sign up as a FlyerTalk member.)
When checking QR award availability, you have to check each segment individually. Both BA and QF can generate very misleading information if you try to check QR award availability all the way through [xxx-(DOH)-yyy] in one step. Be aware AA can only book 330 days out, even if you see availability farther out.
Awards on QR may not be visible to AA agents if a multi-segment itinerary is requested; broken into individual segments will generally reveal availability, however.
As well, AA Australia or New Zealand (actually MindPearl in Fiji) can often see and book AA awards on QR US-based ones might not be able to.
From danger: For AA awards, Economy is X, Business is U, First is Z. NOTE: Those with Z (First) awards may see "Z (Business Class)" shown on the QR website; this is a known glitch.
As well, QR sells intra gulf two class service as First and Economy, as AA does domestically. This can cause some issues with a Business flight including a Gulf "First" flight potentially incurring an F award redemption.
From hotelmotel: "Got my QR PNR from AA. Popped over to QR and selected seats." (AAdvantage award.)
Days of the week: To/from the USA, especially in business class, Qatar often only offers awards seats for Mon..Thu departures, not Fri..Sun departures. So makes sure you check different parts of the week, and not just always weekends (if you're not finding anything on weekends).
NOTE: At DOH / Hamad International Airport, lounges as follows:
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge (not a oneworld lounge): only accessible to those flying First Class on Qatar or oneworld airlines and QRPC Platniums flying in ticketed Business (not oneworld Emeralds flying other lower classes of service)
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge (not a oneworld lounge): only accessible to those flying Business Class on Qatar or oneworld (not oneworld Sapphire flying lower classes of service)
Oryx Lounge: Third party lounge.
Qatar Airways HIA First Class Lounge (oneworld lounge): First Class ticketed customers, Emerald members, as well as their accompanying guests, travelling on Qatar Airways and other oneworld member flights.
Qatar Airways HIA Business Class Lounge (oneworld lounge): First and Business Class ticketed customers, Emerald and Sapphire members, as well as their accompanying guests, travelling on Qatar Airways and other oneworld member flights.
Arrivals Lounges (not oneworld lounges): only accessible to those arriving in First or Business Class on Qatar Airways (not oneworld Sapphire flying other oneworld airlines or other classes of service)
See FT: QR Lounges at HIA
Selecting Qatar Airways Seats
If you want to assign a seat after booking an award, you should first try the Qatar website or app. If you experience issues, please try a partner site like Royal Jordanian, Malaysia Airlines, or Sri-Lankan. You can also reach out to the QR Twitter team to fix your record in order to be able to select seats on their own site.
- Sapphire+ status pax are temporarily allowed to use the Al Mourjan Business Lounge
- Only tickets issued on QR 157 stock are eligible for the Extending Our Commitment (EOC) rebooking policy
For further information on AA awards see:
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver Award Availability - Help, Assistance & Discussion
and
AA oneworld and Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (2015 on)
N.B. Upgrades on QR book into fares not granted EQD/EQM by AA. If you're upgraded on QR, be prepared for pushback from some AA agents. You may have to submit a formal request with accompanying documentation reflecting you purchased an eligible fare class.
NOTE:AA has removed most EY and QR award access from aa.com due to a glitch booking these:
From One Mile at a Time (link)
Bottom Line
For the time being you’ll have to call American if you want to ticket AAdvantage awards on Etihad & Qatar that aren’t for travel to & from the US or Canada. It makes sense that American took these awards “offline,” and now it also makes sense why so many passengers have been having issues with checked bags on awards.
Bottom Line
For the time being you’ll have to call American if you want to ticket AAdvantage awards on Etihad & Qatar that aren’t for travel to & from the US or Canada. It makes sense that American took these awards “offline,” and now it also makes sense why so many passengers have been having issues with checked bags on awards.
NOTE: USA Canada travel on QR will earn EQ miles etc. in accordance with the fare class purchased.
Links:
Link to AA.com Qatar miles earning etc.
AA miles earning on QR changed 1 May 2016 (Link):
Minimum miles guarantee applies.
Checking QR award availability:
You can check QR availability on AA's site, BA's site, QF's site, www.awardnexus.com (which pulls from BA and/or QF), or the KVS tool. (A certain number of searches are free to FlyerTalk members at AwardNexus; click the "more signup options" link under the green Purchase button to sign up as a FlyerTalk member.)
When checking QR award availability, you have to check each segment individually. Both BA and QF can generate very misleading information if you try to check QR award availability all the way through [xxx-(DOH)-yyy] in one step. Be aware AA can only book 330 days out, even if you see availability farther out.
Awards on QR may not be visible to AA agents if a multi-segment itinerary is requested; broken into individual segments will generally reveal availability, however.
As well, AA Australia or New Zealand (actually MindPearl in Fiji) can often see and book AA awards on QR US-based ones might not be able to.
From danger: For AA awards, Economy is X, Business is U, First is Z. NOTE: Those with Z (First) awards may see "Z (Business Class)" shown on the QR website; this is a known glitch.
As well, QR sells intra gulf two class service as First and Economy, as AA does domestically. This can cause some issues with a Business flight including a Gulf "First" flight potentially incurring an F award redemption.
From hotelmotel: "Got my QR PNR from AA. Popped over to QR and selected seats." (AAdvantage award.)
Days of the week: To/from the USA, especially in business class, Qatar often only offers awards seats for Mon..Thu departures, not Fri..Sun departures. So makes sure you check different parts of the week, and not just always weekends (if you're not finding anything on weekends).
NOTE: At DOH / Hamad International Airport, lounges as follows:
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge (not a oneworld lounge): only accessible to those flying First Class on Qatar or oneworld airlines and QRPC Platniums flying in ticketed Business (not oneworld Emeralds flying other lower classes of service)
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge (not a oneworld lounge): only accessible to those flying Business Class on Qatar or oneworld (not oneworld Sapphire flying lower classes of service)
Oryx Lounge: Third party lounge.
Qatar Airways HIA First Class Lounge (oneworld lounge): First Class ticketed customers, Emerald members, as well as their accompanying guests, travelling on Qatar Airways and other oneworld member flights.
Qatar Airways HIA Business Class Lounge (oneworld lounge): First and Business Class ticketed customers, Emerald and Sapphire members, as well as their accompanying guests, travelling on Qatar Airways and other oneworld member flights.
Arrivals Lounges (not oneworld lounges): only accessible to those arriving in First or Business Class on Qatar Airways (not oneworld Sapphire flying other oneworld airlines or other classes of service)
See FT: QR Lounges at HIA
Selecting Qatar Airways Seats
If you want to assign a seat after booking an award, you should first try the Qatar website or app. If you experience issues, please try a partner site like Royal Jordanian, Malaysia Airlines, or Sri-Lankan. You can also reach out to the QR Twitter team to fix your record in order to be able to select seats on their own site.
Qatar Airways / QR: Redeem AA Miles for Award (master thd)
Mar 29, 2022, 8:05 am
#2206
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,350
Hi All- I am currently looking to use AA miles for Qatar Airlines flights in Nov/Dec 2022. The desired itinerary can be found on Qatar website, and is TPA-JFK-DOH-MLE and the reverse for return. The TPA-JFK portion is operated by Jet Blue. I've tried all sorts of combinations on the AA site, and cannot get this route to show up. I've also tried individual legs. Some legs will show up as different routes, and have way off point values and fees (for instance, JFK-MLE on 29-NOV shows up as 70K points for business PLUS $1,246..60 in fees, operated by BA).
Am I doing something incorrectly?
I've also tried from the Qatar Airways site, but I cannot see any way to check award availability, and how to use AA points.
And a final question, I see in the American awards table that travel from Contiguous 48 U.S. states & Canada to India Subcontinent (Maldives) is 70K for Business (one way), It this true? (I am getting the impression from this thread that it is not possible)
Am I doing something incorrectly?
I've also tried from the Qatar Airways site, but I cannot see any way to check award availability, and how to use AA points.
And a final question, I see in the American awards table that travel from Contiguous 48 U.S. states & Canada to India Subcontinent (Maldives) is 70K for Business (one way), It this true? (I am getting the impression from this thread that it is not possible)
If you're flexible with the departure airport you can also check for ORD-DOH or BOS-DOH and then add your flight from TPA to whichever city you find availability from to DOH.
These routes will all price at at 70k to MLE.
Mar 29, 2022, 8:21 am
#2207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
In a word, yes. 
1) Just because an itinerary is available for purchase on the QR website does not mean it will be available to book as an award with AA miles. Far from it.
2) For any hope of success you're going to have to be way more flexible that just one routing through JFK. QR has lots of gateways. ORD, DFW, MIA, PHL, BOS are all options, and IAH, ATL, IAD, YUL should be possibilities as well although might require an extra connection.
3) Search segment by segment until you can piece something together as friedablass mentioned above (also check out another response I gave to a similar question above in post 2102)
1) Just because an itinerary is available for purchase on the QR website does not mean it will be available to book as an award with AA miles. Far from it.
2) For any hope of success you're going to have to be way more flexible that just one routing through JFK. QR has lots of gateways. ORD, DFW, MIA, PHL, BOS are all options, and IAH, ATL, IAD, YUL should be possibilities as well although might require an extra connection.
3) Search segment by segment until you can piece something together as friedablass mentioned above (also check out another response I gave to a similar question above in post 2102)
Mar 29, 2022, 8:28 am
#2208
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,450
Thanks- Again good advice. I will look at other routes.
Regarding the original route, the flights are showing up in January (we are flexible on dates). The only issue is the TPA-JFK leg. The AA site seems to be forcing a routing of TPA-CLT-JFK on its own equipment, instead of using the JetBlue operated equipment. My guess is that I'll have to call on this one.
Regarding the original route, the flights are showing up in January (we are flexible on dates). The only issue is the TPA-JFK leg. The AA site seems to be forcing a routing of TPA-CLT-JFK on its own equipment, instead of using the JetBlue operated equipment. My guess is that I'll have to call on this one.
Mar 29, 2022, 8:35 am
#2209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,405
Thanks- Again good advice. I will look at other routes.
Regarding the original route, the flights are showing up in January (we are flexible on dates). The only issue is the TPA-JFK leg. The AA site seems to be forcing a routing of TPA-CLT-JFK on its own equipment, instead of using the JetBlue operated equipment. My guess is that I'll have to call on this one.
Regarding the original route, the flights are showing up in January (we are flexible on dates). The only issue is the TPA-JFK leg. The AA site seems to be forcing a routing of TPA-CLT-JFK on its own equipment, instead of using the JetBlue operated equipment. My guess is that I'll have to call on this one.
Mar 29, 2022, 7:47 pm
#2211
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 613
Your main segment here is the JFK-DOH leg. Search for only that and once you find QR availability put it on hold and then work on finding the other segments to add to your itinerary on a call.
If you're flexible with the departure airport you can also check for ORD-DOH or BOS-DOH and then add your flight from TPA to whichever city you find availability from to DOH.
These routes will all price at at 70k to MLE.
If you're flexible with the departure airport you can also check for ORD-DOH or BOS-DOH and then add your flight from TPA to whichever city you find availability from to DOH.
These routes will all price at at 70k to MLE.
Mar 29, 2022, 8:38 pm
#2212
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,350
It would need to show as available on AA and you would call to add it. Search for just the leg you want to add, no need to search for the entire itinerary because that won't show you the desired results.
Mar 29, 2022, 10:30 pm
#2213
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 613
Mia there a certain class the leg I would like to add needs to be available in? If I search CPT-HPN nothing shows available. But if I search CPT-ORD what would be my method for eventually getting ORD-HPN tagged on? Thanks
Mar 29, 2022, 10:52 pm
#2214
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,350
Whenever you find the ORD-HPN leg available on AA you can call to add it even if you've already ticketed your itinerary. But you should have a backup plan in case it never becomes available.
Mar 30, 2022, 4:13 am
#2215
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
ORD-HPN needs to be available as sAAver space in order to include it on the same CPT-DOH-ORD award. So you would need U or T space on that segment (not web special).
Mar 30, 2022, 4:55 am
#2216
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,450
Are there rules/limitations for adding legs?
For example, I've found TPA-PHL-DOH for 70K with booking codes of U (AA operated 1st leg, QR 2nd leg). Arrival in DOH is at 5:50pm. The next available nonstop from DOH-MLE is at 1am the following day, This would be a 7:10 hour layover in DOH. Would AA still add it?
For example, I've found TPA-PHL-DOH for 70K with booking codes of U (AA operated 1st leg, QR 2nd leg). Arrival in DOH is at 5:50pm. The next available nonstop from DOH-MLE is at 1am the following day, This would be a 7:10 hour layover in DOH. Would AA still add it?
Mar 30, 2022, 9:27 am
#2218
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,450
A few additional questions: I am finding that the business class fares for the QR operated flights are coming up as U when paid by AA miles. It looks like U will not earn any travel Base Miles/EQMs/EQs. I have also seen some J fares (only on AA equipment). If paid for with miles, will J fares earn Base Miles/EQMs/EQs? Even if they are Web Special - Business fares?
... in doing some more researching, perhaps I am looking at old earning concepts. It seems like earnings now are LPs. What I am driving at is the following: If I can earn points on AA equipment (even while paying with miles), vs earn no points on QR equipment, perhaps it would be more beneficial to utilize AA business class for the long hall vs.QR business class.
... in doing some more researching, perhaps I am looking at old earning concepts. It seems like earnings now are LPs. What I am driving at is the following: If I can earn points on AA equipment (even while paying with miles), vs earn no points on QR equipment, perhaps it would be more beneficial to utilize AA business class for the long hall vs.QR business class.
Last edited by WannaTheater; Mar 30, 2022 at 9:32 am
Mar 30, 2022, 9:53 am
#2219
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, WOH Globalist
Posts: 1,160
You should not expect to earn miles on any award redemption, regardless of operating carrier.
A few additional questions: I am finding that the business class fares for the QR operated flights are coming up as U when paid by AA miles. It looks like U will not earn any travel Base Miles/EQMs/EQs. I have also seen some J fares (only on AA equipment). If paid for with miles, will J fares earn Base Miles/EQMs/EQs? Even if they are Web Special - Business fares?
... in doing some more researching, perhaps I am looking at old earning concepts. It seems like earnings now are LPs. What I am driving at is the following: If I can earn points on AA equipment (even while paying with miles), vs earn no points on QR equipment, perhaps it would be more beneficial to utilize AA business class for the long hall vs.QR business class.
... in doing some more researching, perhaps I am looking at old earning concepts. It seems like earnings now are LPs. What I am driving at is the following: If I can earn points on AA equipment (even while paying with miles), vs earn no points on QR equipment, perhaps it would be more beneficial to utilize AA business class for the long hall vs.QR business class.
Mar 30, 2022, 10:01 am
#2220
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
A few additional questions: I am finding that the business class fares for the QR operated flights are coming up as U when paid by AA miles. It looks like U will not earn any travel Base Miles/EQMs/EQs. I have also seen some J fares (only on AA equipment). If paid for with miles, will J fares earn Base Miles/EQMs/EQs? Even if they are Web Special - Business fares?
... in doing some more researching, perhaps I am looking at old earning concepts. It seems like earnings now are LPs. What I am driving at is the following: If I can earn points on AA equipment (even while paying with miles), vs earn no points on QR equipment, perhaps it would be more beneficial to utilize AA business class for the long hall vs.QR business class.
... in doing some more researching, perhaps I am looking at old earning concepts. It seems like earnings now are LPs. What I am driving at is the following: If I can earn points on AA equipment (even while paying with miles), vs earn no points on QR equipment, perhaps it would be more beneficial to utilize AA business class for the long hall vs.QR business class.