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)
Jul 26, 2020, 1:48 pm
#1261
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
I believe the five-day hold for awards applies for any travel more than five days out, but I'm not certain. I think the current COVID-19 change fee waiver applies to award reinstatement fees, but I'm not certain.
Jul 26, 2020, 1:54 pm
#1262
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
If AA can book it as mixed cabin, it will be at the through business class award level.
I believe the five-day hold for awards applies for any travel more than five days out, but I'm not certain. I think the current COVID-19 change fee waiver applies to award reinstatement fees, but I'm not certain.
I believe the five-day hold for awards applies for any travel more than five days out, but I'm not certain. I think the current COVID-19 change fee waiver applies to award reinstatement fees, but I'm not certain.
After a bit more research it seems a 5-day hold can only be placed 14 days out and in regards to the reinstatement that changed July 1st and now can only be cancelled 60 days out
I'm not 100% sure.
Jul 26, 2020, 5:41 pm
#1263
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Thanks for following up.
Jul 26, 2020, 5:49 pm
#1264
Join Date: Jul 2020
Programs: AA
Posts: 3
Does anyone have recommendations on how to book DFW > DOH > KUL roundtrip using AA miles in the Q Suite for this coming mid December thru early Jan (honeymoon planning has been a nightmare with COVID)? Have had no luck with AA, or BA finding availability. Half the time both of their websites are not working.
Any advice or recent success would be so greatly appreciated
Any advice or recent success would be so greatly appreciated
Jul 27, 2020, 5:59 am
#1265
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,495
Does anyone have recommendations on how to book DFW > DOH > KUL roundtrip using AA miles in the Q Suite for this coming mid December thru early Jan (honeymoon planning has been a nightmare with COVID)? Have had no luck with AA, or BA finding availability. Half the time both of their websites are not working.
Any advice or recent success would be so greatly appreciated
Any advice or recent success would be so greatly appreciated
You can book this though, you just have to search using multi city for DFW-DOH + DOH-KUL, and keep in mind it will cost 2 awards. In business 70k DFW-DOH + 40k DOH-KUL, 110k total (same price as an F award via TYO or HKG).
Also what specific dates do you need? In mid December I see lots of days with 2 business available on say DFW-IAH/MIA/LAX-DOH. Didn't see much for DOH-KUL besides connections in CMB.
If you can depart in early Januaray then things were much more open.
Jul 27, 2020, 8:23 am
#1266
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Does anyone have recommendations on how to book DFW > DOH > KUL roundtrip using AA miles in the Q Suite for this coming mid December thru early Jan (honeymoon planning has been a nightmare with COVID)? Have had no luck with AA, or BA finding availability. Half the time both of their websites are not working.
Any advice or recent success would be so greatly appreciated
Any advice or recent success would be so greatly appreciated
Although, to be frank, I'm skeptical about travel in the December-January time frame, especially from the U.S. I'd suggest at least considering a delayed honeymoon trip, maybe next summer or later.
Jul 27, 2020, 10:38 am
#1268
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
If you are flying in QR J, you will have access to the Al Mourjan Business Lounge if it is open. This is nicer than the "Business Class Lounge," which is for those with Oneworld Sapphire status or flying in J on any OneWorld airline flight.
Jul 27, 2020, 11:59 am
#1269
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Source: https://loyaltylobby.com/2020/04/17/...lounge-closed/
Regards
Jul 27, 2020, 12:20 pm
#1271
Join Date: Jul 2020
Programs: AA
Posts: 3
If your primary goal is to enjoy a long Qsuite flight, keep in mind that QR is notorious for switching equipment around. It would be a shame to spend extra miles for award flights and not get Qsuites. If your goal is to go to Kuala Lumpur from Dallas, try looking for CX and JL space, as that will be 70k miles per person each way (US48 to Asia2). If you route on QR (or EY), it will be two awards: 70k per person each way (US48 to Middle East) plus 40k per person each way (Middle East to Asia2), and you might not get Qsuite after all. If you really want Qsuites, maybe go somewhere in Africa, which is permitted to route via the Middle East (or Europe), and is 75k per person each way.
Although, to be frank, I'm skeptical about travel in the December-January time frame, especially from the U.S. I'd suggest at least considering a delayed honeymoon trip, maybe next summer or later.
Although, to be frank, I'm skeptical about travel in the December-January time frame, especially from the U.S. I'd suggest at least considering a delayed honeymoon trip, maybe next summer or later.
Jul 29, 2020, 2:54 am
#1272
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
Trying to piece together an award
MLE-DOH-JFK
MLE-DOH shows up in economy and DOH-JFK in J when searching multi city
17.5k + 70k
when searching separately MLE-DOH doesn't show up at all.
However if searching One way it's shows up all the way through only in Eco (40k)
will AA be able to book it as a mixed cabin and only charge 70k?
Also a little off topic: flight is in about 2 weeks
Can I still place a 5 day hold?
If not are there still any waivers for free award redeposit?
MLE-DOH-JFK
MLE-DOH shows up in economy and DOH-JFK in J when searching multi city
17.5k + 70k
when searching separately MLE-DOH doesn't show up at all.
However if searching One way it's shows up all the way through only in Eco (40k)
will AA be able to book it as a mixed cabin and only charge 70k?
Also a little off topic: flight is in about 2 weeks
Can I still place a 5 day hold?
If not are there still any waivers for free award redeposit?
Only option is to book coach all the way through.
Flight no longer shows up as a multi city.
Jul 30, 2020, 10:57 am
#1273
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 97
Trying to piece together USA-DOH-MLE arrival date 3/28/2021 (departure probably 3/26/2021). Preferably Qsuites. 3 pax. Willing to travel to reposition from Washington DC area.
Can find USA-DOH (70k) and DOH-CMB-MLE (17.5k) separately via multi-city. No availability one way USA-DOH-MLE. Called AA and they didn't see availability either.
I am new to award booking. Is it a bad deal to have to pay 87.5k for the multi-city booking, esp. with DOH-CMB-MLE on Y, even though I can get the exact date/time I want? How likely will seats open up so that I can book a one way USA-DOH-MLE J for 3 people on the date I want?
Many thanks in advance.
Can find USA-DOH (70k) and DOH-CMB-MLE (17.5k) separately via multi-city. No availability one way USA-DOH-MLE. Called AA and they didn't see availability either.
I am new to award booking. Is it a bad deal to have to pay 87.5k for the multi-city booking, esp. with DOH-CMB-MLE on Y, even though I can get the exact date/time I want? How likely will seats open up so that I can book a one way USA-DOH-MLE J for 3 people on the date I want?
Many thanks in advance.
Last edited by miss_travel; Jul 30, 2020 at 11:05 am
Jul 30, 2020, 1:25 pm
#1274
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 128
Trying to piece together USA-DOH-MLE arrival date 3/28/2021 (departure probably 3/26/2021). Preferably Qsuites. 3 pax. Willing to travel to reposition from Washington DC area.
Can find USA-DOH (70k) and DOH-CMB-MLE (17.5k) separately via multi-city. No availability one way USA-DOH-MLE. Called AA and they didn't see availability either.
I am new to award booking. Is it a bad deal to have to pay 87.5k for the multi-city booking, esp. with DOH-CMB-MLE on Y, even though I can get the exact date/time I want? How likely will seats open up so that I can book a one way USA-DOH-MLE J for 3 people on the date I want?
Many thanks in advance.
Can find USA-DOH (70k) and DOH-CMB-MLE (17.5k) separately via multi-city. No availability one way USA-DOH-MLE. Called AA and they didn't see availability either.
I am new to award booking. Is it a bad deal to have to pay 87.5k for the multi-city booking, esp. with DOH-CMB-MLE on Y, even though I can get the exact date/time I want? How likely will seats open up so that I can book a one way USA-DOH-MLE J for 3 people on the date I want?
Many thanks in advance.
Jul 30, 2020, 2:05 pm
#1275
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,492
Does anyone have recommendations on how to book DFW > DOH > KUL roundtrip using AA miles in the Q Suite for this coming mid December thru early Jan (honeymoon planning has been a nightmare with COVID)? Have had no luck with AA, or BA finding availability. Half the time both of their websites are not working.
Any advice or recent success would be so greatly appreciated
Any advice or recent success would be so greatly appreciated
Generally (before Coronavirus), QR had some very attractive business class prices for DFW/IAH (and possibly others in the USA) to KUL and PEN. $2500 to $3000 was usually the range, sometimes even less, especially for PEN.