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)
Apr 30, 2022, 7:41 pm
#2311
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: DRW
Programs: QFF
Posts: 155
I'm looking at burning some points at the end of the year on QR, doing an interesting route into the EU (I just like flying) AKL-SYD-DOH-DXB, then DXB-DOH-HEL-??? (PRG/VIE/BUD etc etc), would be on two separate tickets.
There is 9 hours in DXB between scheduled arrival and scheduled departure (arriving 2030, departing 0530). Aside from risking the ire and curiousity of Emirati Customs, any risks inherent in this I'm not seeing? The only thing I could think of would be PCR testing (can do AKL the day prior to flying, then SYD again to keep with a current test).
There is 9 hours in DXB between scheduled arrival and scheduled departure (arriving 2030, departing 0530). Aside from risking the ire and curiousity of Emirati Customs, any risks inherent in this I'm not seeing? The only thing I could think of would be PCR testing (can do AKL the day prior to flying, then SYD again to keep with a current test).
Apr 30, 2022, 8:26 pm
#2312
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1kMM; AA EX Plat, Hilton Diamond and SPG Plat
Posts: 2,014
I'm looking at burning some points at the end of the year on QR, doing an interesting route into the EU (I just like flying) AKL-SYD-DOH-DXB, then DXB-DOH-HEL-??? (PRG/VIE/BUD etc etc), would be on two separate tickets.
There is 9 hours in DXB between scheduled arrival and scheduled departure (arriving 2030, departing 0530). Aside from risking the ire and curiousity of Emirati Customs, any risks inherent in this I'm not seeing? The only thing I could think of would be PCR testing (can do AKL the day prior to flying, then SYD again to keep with a current test).
There is 9 hours in DXB between scheduled arrival and scheduled departure (arriving 2030, departing 0530). Aside from risking the ire and curiousity of Emirati Customs, any risks inherent in this I'm not seeing? The only thing I could think of would be PCR testing (can do AKL the day prior to flying, then SYD again to keep with a current test).
May 1, 2022, 12:14 pm
#2313
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: Curr Noob, Ex Road Warrior
Posts: 492
Where do you look for QR or EY J award availability? I used to use EY website but it looks like its changed now and am not sure what to look for with the info there. I am looking for J availability between 5/20-6/10 one way from HYD-SEA and not having much luck. Looed on Award Nexus and nothing is coming up on OW. There is some availability on AC but UH is not seeing that and quoting twice the saver award rate. Appreciate some help.
May 1, 2022, 12:40 pm
#2314
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Here
Programs: SQ, QR, CX, AA, UA
Posts: 133
Where do you look for QR or EY J award availability? I used to use EY website but it looks like its changed now and am not sure what to look for with the info there. I am looking for J availability between 5/20-6/10 one way from HYD-SEA and not having much luck. Looed on Award Nexus and nothing is coming up on OW. There is some availability on AC but UH is not seeing that and quoting twice the saver award rate. Appreciate some help.
May 1, 2022, 12:46 pm
#2315
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: Curr Noob, Ex Road Warrior
Posts: 492
What should I be looking for on EY website that may potentially be visible to AA agents? I see most awards on EY website are listed with different mileage and "for all guests". Is there specific info I need to look for? Thanks.
May 1, 2022, 8:25 pm
#2317
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
I'm looking at burning some points at the end of the year on QR, doing an interesting route into the EU (I just like flying) AKL-SYD-DOH-DXB, then DXB-DOH-HEL-??? (PRG/VIE/BUD etc etc), would be on two separate tickets.
There is 9 hours in DXB between scheduled arrival and scheduled departure (arriving 2030, departing 0530). Aside from risking the ire and curiousity of Emirati Customs, any risks inherent in this I'm not seeing? The only thing I could think of would be PCR testing (can do AKL the day prior to flying, then SYD again to keep with a current test).
There is 9 hours in DXB between scheduled arrival and scheduled departure (arriving 2030, departing 0530). Aside from risking the ire and curiousity of Emirati Customs, any risks inherent in this I'm not seeing? The only thing I could think of would be PCR testing (can do AKL the day prior to flying, then SYD again to keep with a current test).
May 1, 2022, 8:29 pm
#2318
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Where do you look for QR or EY J award availability? I used to use EY website but it looks like its changed now and am not sure what to look for with the info there. I am looking for J availability between 5/20-6/10 one way from HYD-SEA and not having much luck. Looed on Award Nexus and nothing is coming up on OW. There is some availability on AC but UH is not seeing that and quoting twice the saver award rate. Appreciate some help.
May 2, 2022, 12:55 pm
#2319
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,135
What's best strategy to put business class award availability alerts on expertflyer for a JFK-DOH-BOM flight? I would think that JFK-DOH is greater in demand so perhaps just focus on leg for this potential Dec trip? Thanks
May 2, 2022, 1:08 pm
#2320
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
It seems moderately accurate. I did a search for LHR-DOH for 10/10/22 and BA showed business availability of 2 seats on QR12, QR12 and QR16 and indicated that there was no 1st cabin on the flight ; EF showed 'Yes' for availability on the same flights (but no indication of how many available given ) - HOWEVER - it also showed that there was 1st class availability - which if there is no 1st cabin is unlikely to be the case
May 2, 2022, 1:29 pm
#2321
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Excellent news, thank you.
May 6, 2022, 11:56 am
#2322
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Austin TX
Programs: AA EXEP 2MM, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Avis President Club, Marriot gold,Emerald Exec,
Posts: 413
Just wanted to make sure I am checking correctly on Expert flyer for Qatar Business class award ticket using AA miles. Should I be looking under American airlines or Qatar Airways business Awards ? I am assuming it should be Qatar Business Award (U) but just wanted to confirm.
And also is Expert Flyer issue about Qatar Inventory error is fixed ? Do I need to apply any patches/updates for this ?
And also is Expert Flyer issue about Qatar Inventory error is fixed ? Do I need to apply any patches/updates for this ?
May 6, 2022, 3:05 pm
#2323
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Just wanted to make sure I am checking correctly on Expert flyer for Qatar Business class award ticket using AA miles. Should I be looking under American airlines or Qatar Airways business Awards ? I am assuming it should be Qatar Business Award (U) but just wanted to confirm.
From the post two above yours, it appears a fix is imminent, but checking just now, not quite yet.
May 6, 2022, 11:57 pm
#2324
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,712
Running into a weird problem, think its some sort of a glitch. Reminds me of the QF glitch using AA miles where you select the flight you want, thinking you will get the 110K in F but then it used to say "Choose a different fare"... On this QR issue it says "fix the 3 errors" but there are No 3 errors in fact its not even anything you can fix its just the final page where it shows the trip cost.. Never had this issue booking QR flights from USA to Doha or the reverse. This is DOH-LHR with a stop in Zurich but its all 1 ticket- Doh-Zrh-Lhr as one ticket, showing 62.5K miles for F. Trying to get on the ex CX 777. 4 times now keep getting this message and it wont let me to book it.
May 7, 2022, 7:57 am
#2325
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Running into a weird problem, think its some sort of a glitch. Reminds me of the QF glitch using AA miles where you select the flight you want, thinking you will get the 110K in F but then it used to say "Choose a different fare"... On this QR issue it says "fix the 3 errors" but there are No 3 errors in fact its not even anything you can fix its just the final page where it shows the trip cost.. Never had this issue booking QR flights from USA to Doha or the reverse. This is DOH-LHR with a stop in Zurich but its all 1 ticket- Doh-Zrh-Lhr as one ticket, showing 62.5K miles for F. Trying to get on the ex CX 777. 4 times now keep getting this message and it wont let me to book it.