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 20, 2024, 5:44 pm
#3601
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
Even with staff on the ground, there isn't much they can do. One, the ticket isn't valid from QR's side and two, in general QR staff don't handle anything out of the ordinary well.
I ran into this in CMB with my SO's ticket. Fortunately, we arrived 4+ hours in advance and the manager was proactive and willing to help us. Called AA and got it sorted.
For future, prior to travel, ensure that the ticket number on the AA ticket/PNR and QR PNR match. If they don't, call AA and have them reissue the ticket (keep an eye on baggage as well).
I ran into this in CMB with my SO's ticket. Fortunately, we arrived 4+ hours in advance and the manager was proactive and willing to help us. Called AA and got it sorted.
For future, prior to travel, ensure that the ticket number on the AA ticket/PNR and QR PNR match. If they don't, call AA and have them reissue the ticket (keep an eye on baggage as well).
It's not that AA's ticket, as it exists in AA's system, is invalid from QR's side. It's that they don't actually have the updated ticket attached to the flight. The flight coupons that the check-in staff have in their system, that essentially correspond to the boarding passes they issue, are still attached to the old AA ticket, which is indeed invalid.
They have to delete the old AA ticket number from the flight coupons/checkin record (which will result in flight coupons without any ticket attached), and then enter the new, valid ticket number attaching it to the coupon. This will pretty much immediately register, and they should be able to check the passenger in and issue the boarding pass. It's actually not a difficult process, but just requires someone who understands what is happening and likely has done it before.
Mar 20, 2024, 9:42 pm
#3602
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,256
Frustrating for sure, but I am not sure why these staff can't handle it. This happened to me at JRO, where they are definitely local contract staff, and once I confirmed with AA the updated ticket number, the supervisor knew exactly what was going on, and was able to fix it.
It's not that AA's ticket, as it exists in AA's system, is invalid from QR's side. It's that they don't actually have the updated ticket attached to the flight. The flight coupons that the check-in staff have in their system, that essentially correspond to the boarding passes they issue, are still attached to the old AA ticket, which is indeed invalid.
They have to delete the old AA ticket number from the flight coupons/checkin record (which will result in flight coupons without any ticket attached), and then enter the new, valid ticket number attaching it to the coupon. This will pretty much immediately register, and they should be able to check the passenger in and issue the boarding pass. It's actually not a difficult process, but just requires someone who understands what is happening and likely has done it before.
It's not that AA's ticket, as it exists in AA's system, is invalid from QR's side. It's that they don't actually have the updated ticket attached to the flight. The flight coupons that the check-in staff have in their system, that essentially correspond to the boarding passes they issue, are still attached to the old AA ticket, which is indeed invalid.
They have to delete the old AA ticket number from the flight coupons/checkin record (which will result in flight coupons without any ticket attached), and then enter the new, valid ticket number attaching it to the coupon. This will pretty much immediately register, and they should be able to check the passenger in and issue the boarding pass. It's actually not a difficult process, but just requires someone who understands what is happening and likely has done it before.
My point about handling it was more general in regard to QR. They're 9/10 or better on normal ops and 2/10 when stuff goes sideways. In CMB, the guy checking me in just kept repeating "you dont have a ticket"; words that were meaningless to me given I was holding a QR printout, an AA printout and had checked in. Only after the station manager came over and looked into it, he was able to explain that the ticket number QR had was not the one AA had issued with the change. This helped me understand the issue and then communicate to AA exactly what the issue was and what needed to be done. Had my SO been flying solo, she would have likely missed the flight.
Mar 20, 2024, 9:49 pm
#3603
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
Right - that was my experience as well. Once AA gave me the correct ticket number, QR was able to get it sorted very quickly.
My point about handling it was more general in regard to QR. They're 9/10 or better on normal ops and 2/10 when stuff goes sideways. In CMB, the guy checking me in just kept repeating "you dont have a ticket"; words that were meaningless to me given I was holding a QR printout, an AA printout and had checked in. Only after the station manager came over and looked into it, he was able to explain that the ticket number QR had was not the one AA had issued with the change. This helped me understand the issue and then communicate to AA exactly what the issue was and what needed to be done. Had my SO been flying solo, she would have likely missed the flight.
My point about handling it was more general in regard to QR. They're 9/10 or better on normal ops and 2/10 when stuff goes sideways. In CMB, the guy checking me in just kept repeating "you dont have a ticket"; words that were meaningless to me given I was holding a QR printout, an AA printout and had checked in. Only after the station manager came over and looked into it, he was able to explain that the ticket number QR had was not the one AA had issued with the change. This helped me understand the issue and then communicate to AA exactly what the issue was and what needed to be done. Had my SO been flying solo, she would have likely missed the flight.
Mar 20, 2024, 10:34 pm
#3604
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,605
How much less could they care?
The airline you were booked on was responsible for getting you to your destination - with a strike the options would seem likely to be limited, but EK would have got you there
If the system was refusing a booking due to suspected fraud, what would you have expected the airline staff to do?
If there is a strike that stops flights operating, there are hundreds of impacted passengers that they have to handle.
The airline you were booked on was responsible for getting you to your destination - with a strike the options would seem likely to be limited, but EK would have got you there
If the system was refusing a booking due to suspected fraud, what would you have expected the airline staff to do?
If there is a strike that stops flights operating, there are hundreds of impacted passengers that they have to handle.
Mar 21, 2024, 6:41 am
#3605
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
How much less could they care?
The airline you were booked on was responsible for getting you to your destination - with a strike the options would seem likely to be limited, but EK would have got you there
If the system was refusing a booking due to suspected fraud, what would you have expected the airline staff to do?
If there is a strike that stops flights operating, there are hundreds of impacted passengers that they have to handle.
The airline you were booked on was responsible for getting you to your destination - with a strike the options would seem likely to be limited, but EK would have got you there
If the system was refusing a booking due to suspected fraud, what would you have expected the airline staff to do?
If there is a strike that stops flights operating, there are hundreds of impacted passengers that they have to handle.
As far as the fraud, I called and was able to confirm it was me who made the transaction, however they told me I had to wait for my miles to reinstate, which of course happened after the flight departed.
Back to the regular scheduled program folks.
Mar 21, 2024, 8:52 pm
#3606
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 7
Checking QA's internal award inventory was helpful. I was able to book a flight from Europe to DOH and another from DOH to Europe in 2025 at the 42.5 rate. If QA had it listed as their safe award rate, the transaction went through. There was definitely a bit of phantom award availability that made it really frustrating, but it also wouldn't show on QA. YMMV.
Mar 22, 2024, 10:37 am
#3607
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 25
Best way to book AA award travel on QR
Apologies if this belongs in an existing thread, I can’t locate the proper one.
I am interested in booking a vacation to Seychelles using AA miles or SWUs. It looks like the touring would be on QR via DFW or ORD (then DOH). What is the best way to achieve this? When I search on AA.com, no business class options come up for award travel.
I am interested in booking a vacation to Seychelles using AA miles or SWUs. It looks like the touring would be on QR via DFW or ORD (then DOH). What is the best way to achieve this? When I search on AA.com, no business class options come up for award travel.
Mar 22, 2024, 10:56 am
#3608
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
Apologies if this belongs in an existing thread, I can’t locate the proper one.
I am interested in booking a vacation to Seychelles using AA miles or SWUs. It looks like the touring would be on QR via DFW or ORD (then DOH). What is the best way to achieve this? When I search on AA.com, no business class options come up for award travel.
I am interested in booking a vacation to Seychelles using AA miles or SWUs. It looks like the touring would be on QR via DFW or ORD (then DOH). What is the best way to achieve this? When I search on AA.com, no business class options come up for award travel.
Perhaps check availability not from your home airport, but instead from one of QR's North American gateways. If you find something suitable, you can then consider booking a separate ticket -- for either cash or miles -- to the QR gateway with availability. Just call AA to book everything simultaneously and have both tickets put on a single PNR so that you can through-check any baggage, and be protected in the event of IROPS.
Mar 22, 2024, 11:28 am
#3609
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,448
Seats from QR are released (if they are released) to AA 331 days out. You may or may not find any inventory for AA points. They also my release seats within a few weeks of travel.
Best to be flexible, and perform your searches from QR-"hubs" in the US, if you find them, put on hold, then call AA to ticket (and add on if possible a positioning flight).
US Airports: DFW, MIA, ATL, JFK, ORD, BOS, IAD
Additional information here:
Qatar Airways / QR: Redeem AA Miles for Award (master thd)
Best to be flexible, and perform your searches from QR-"hubs" in the US, if you find them, put on hold, then call AA to ticket (and add on if possible a positioning flight).
US Airports: DFW, MIA, ATL, JFK, ORD, BOS, IAD
Additional information here:
Qatar Airways / QR: Redeem AA Miles for Award (master thd)
Last edited by WannaTheater; Mar 22, 2024 at 11:33 am
Mar 22, 2024, 11:52 am
#3610
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,854
Mar 22, 2024, 12:14 pm
#3612
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Apologies if this belongs in an existing thread, I can’t locate the proper one.
I am interested in booking a vacation to Seychelles using AA miles or SWUs. It looks like the touring would be on QR via DFW or ORD (then DOH). What is the best way to achieve this? When I search on AA.com, no business class options come up for award travel.
I am interested in booking a vacation to Seychelles using AA miles or SWUs. It looks like the touring would be on QR via DFW or ORD (then DOH). What is the best way to achieve this? When I search on AA.com, no business class options come up for award travel.
And don't forget about YUL.
Mar 22, 2024, 3:13 pm
#3613
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,448
Yes- thanks for pointing that out. I am out of the ease coast, and forgot to mention SEA, LAX, SFO. Didn't know about IAH.
Last edited by WannaTheater; Mar 22, 2024 at 3:19 pm
Mar 27, 2024, 2:24 pm
#3614
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 59
AA award on QR process?
Can someone please remind me of the process for booking on QR using AA award miles? I did it 8 years ago and recall some glitches, but cannot recall what they were.
I plan on gifting a trip from MNL to Europe to a grad student in the fall, and am wondering about the time lag between booking and confirmation. I recall its 24 hours or more? And, once the ticket is booked (I assume that means a QR PNR is generated?) can the student then manage seats etc with the PNR? Or are there other steps?
And I checked and award seats are available.
I plan on gifting a trip from MNL to Europe to a grad student in the fall, and am wondering about the time lag between booking and confirmation. I recall its 24 hours or more? And, once the ticket is booked (I assume that means a QR PNR is generated?) can the student then manage seats etc with the PNR? Or are there other steps?
And I checked and award seats are available.
Mar 27, 2024, 3:10 pm
#3615
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 128
Can someone please remind me of the process for booking on QR using AA award miles? I did it 8 years ago and recall some glitches, but cannot recall what they were.
I plan on gifting a trip from MNL to Europe to a grad student in the fall, and am wondering about the time lag between booking and confirmation. I recall its 24 hours or more? And, once the ticket is booked (I assume that means a QR PNR is generated?) can the student then manage seats etc with the PNR? Or are there other steps?
And I checked and award seats are available.
I plan on gifting a trip from MNL to Europe to a grad student in the fall, and am wondering about the time lag between booking and confirmation. I recall its 24 hours or more? And, once the ticket is booked (I assume that means a QR PNR is generated?) can the student then manage seats etc with the PNR? Or are there other steps?
And I checked and award seats are available.