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)
Sep 4, 2020, 6:43 am
#1306
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
AFAIK very few airlines allow US-ASIA on one award, exception being when booking on the same airline as miles are from. This has to to with with the world being separated into Zones. Zone 1 - the Americas, Zone 2 - Europe/Africa/ME, Zone 3 - Asia/Australia/ Ocenaic. You usually can only travel as a through fare direct from Zone to Zone. If you transit the Zone inbetween (Zone 2 in your case) you usually always must book a broken fare. The ME airlines are the main exceptions. However that means booking with them, which you cant do for OAL mile award.
AA does allow a transit in another region in some cases ; e.g. Europe to South Pacific allows for transit in Asia 1 or Asia 2 or Middle East
AA's zones are listed at https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...ward-chart.jsp
Generally, AA allows routings and airlines based on what the fares of the governing carrier permit with the added restriction that transits in a 3rd region are only permitted in specific cases
Sep 4, 2020, 9:56 am
#1307
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA, QR, SQ, BA, Marriott, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 30
Thank you all so much for the comments and insights, this is super helpful! I tried to reply as the messages came in but being new, it seems that I'm only allowed so many posts.
The clarifications have given me a better idea on what to expect! If I want to book with QR, it will be 2 awards, if I don't mind JAL or Cathay, 1 award would suffice. Considering I've always wanted to try Q Suites, 2 awards it is. Don't know if availability will be this good/easy in the future when travel picks up.
On a related note, what are you thoughts on booking the ticket if I don't have sufficient points? Can I just book one way first and then book the return leg when I have sufficient points (understand that it may no longer be available)? Or should I hold off until I have sufficient points and book it all as one? I'm looking to open the Barclay's Aviator Red for the 60,000 bonus which would cover the shortage but not sure how long it would take to post.
Thank you again!
The clarifications have given me a better idea on what to expect! If I want to book with QR, it will be 2 awards, if I don't mind JAL or Cathay, 1 award would suffice. Considering I've always wanted to try Q Suites, 2 awards it is. Don't know if availability will be this good/easy in the future when travel picks up.
On a related note, what are you thoughts on booking the ticket if I don't have sufficient points? Can I just book one way first and then book the return leg when I have sufficient points (understand that it may no longer be available)? Or should I hold off until I have sufficient points and book it all as one? I'm looking to open the Barclay's Aviator Red for the 60,000 bonus which would cover the shortage but not sure how long it would take to post.
Thank you again!
Sep 4, 2020, 2:25 pm
#1308
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
All AA awards are one way awards - you can purchase the outbound now and then book the return later
The only risk is if you end up cancelling the journey and it is within 60 days of the departure dates, then you will be up for 2 cancellation penalties
The only risk is if you end up cancelling the journey and it is within 60 days of the departure dates, then you will be up for 2 cancellation penalties
Sep 4, 2020, 2:39 pm
#1309
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA, QR, SQ, BA, Marriott, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 30
Appreciate you imparting your knowledge to me!
Sep 4, 2020, 3:12 pm
#1310
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,542
Thank you all so much for the comments and insights, this is super helpful! I tried to reply as the messages came in but being new, it seems that I'm only allowed so many posts.
The clarifications have given me a better idea on what to expect! If I want to book with QR, it will be 2 awards, if I don't mind JAL or Cathay, 1 award would suffice. Considering I've always wanted to try Q Suites, 2 awards it is. Don't know if availability will be this good/easy in the future when travel picks up.
On a related note, what are you thoughts on booking the ticket if I don't have sufficient points? Can I just book one way first and then book the return leg when I have sufficient points (understand that it may no longer be available)? Or should I hold off until I have sufficient points and book it all as one? I'm looking to open the Barclay's Aviator Red for the 60,000 bonus which would cover the shortage but not sure how long it would take to post.
Thank you again!
The clarifications have given me a better idea on what to expect! If I want to book with QR, it will be 2 awards, if I don't mind JAL or Cathay, 1 award would suffice. Considering I've always wanted to try Q Suites, 2 awards it is. Don't know if availability will be this good/easy in the future when travel picks up.
On a related note, what are you thoughts on booking the ticket if I don't have sufficient points? Can I just book one way first and then book the return leg when I have sufficient points (understand that it may no longer be available)? Or should I hold off until I have sufficient points and book it all as one? I'm looking to open the Barclay's Aviator Red for the 60,000 bonus which would cover the shortage but not sure how long it would take to post.
Thank you again!
Good luck - Jamie
Sep 4, 2020, 3:23 pm
#1311
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA, QR, SQ, BA, Marriott, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 30
Small point, but 110k miles for CX F USA-Asia is a better product than Q Suites. The issue is if you want to book the Q Quad and need four awards (again, actually 8 awards, 110k per pair). In that case, the novelty factor of sharing a family meal or playing cards - not to mention the near-impossibility of nailing four CX F awards - makes QR a better deal. It's a novel product, all right, but the service/food/wine/PJs/exclusivity/lav-ratio/lounge quality doesn't measure up to CX F. QR J trounces every other J product I've ever flown, but not CX or JL F.
Good luck - Jamie
Good luck - Jamie
Return is in December so have some time to think about it.
Sep 4, 2020, 4:46 pm
#1312
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,639
Small point, but 110k miles for CX F USA-Asia is a better product than Q Suites. The issue is if you want to book the Q Quad and need four awards (again, actually 8 awards, 110k per pair). In that case, the novelty factor of sharing a family meal or playing cards - not to mention the near-impossibility of nailing four CX F awards - makes QR a better deal. It's a novel product, all right, but the service/food/wine/PJs/exclusivity/lav-ratio/lounge quality doesn't measure up to CX F. QR J trounces every other J product I've ever flown, but not CX or JL F.
Good luck - Jamie
Good luck - Jamie
Sep 4, 2020, 5:17 pm
#1313
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Wouldn't pay 57% extra for it and extend journey time for it though
Sep 4, 2020, 5:29 pm
#1314
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
AFAIK very few airlines allow US-ASIA on one award, exception being when booking on the same airline as miles are from. This has to to with with the world being separated into Zones. Zone 1 - the Americas, Zone 2 - Europe/Africa/ME, Zone 3 - Asia/Australia/ Ocenaic. You usually can only travel as a through fare direct from Zone to Zone. If you transit the Zone inbetween (Zone 2 in your case) you usually always must book a broken fare. The ME airlines are the main exceptions. However that means booking with them, which you cant do for OAL mile award.
As far as baggage and BPs, QR will check you in across tickets. They will treat you as if your destination on 2nd ticket was your destination on the 1st. (Thus they'll treat you as connecting at DOH, not arriving)
If you have a flight on AA as your first flight (ie domestic flight to PHL), AA only checks when on one ticket or on separate only when there's a request due to medical issue. (Meaning involving right under ACA to require a policy accommodation)
If you have a flight on AA as your first flight (ie domestic flight to PHL), AA only checks when on one ticket or on separate only when there's a request due to medical issue. (Meaning involving right under ACA to require a policy accommodation)
Sep 4, 2020, 5:34 pm
#1315
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
CX F is a very nice product, but very private. There's no way two (or more) people can interact without one leaving his or her seat. It's quite different from QR's Qsuite, where two to four people can share a very private space where they are open to each other. JL F does have paired seats in the center where a couple can interact during the flight.
Sep 4, 2020, 6:24 pm
#1316
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,542
CX F is a very nice product, but very private. There's no way two (or more) people can interact without one leaving his or her seat. It's quite different from QR's Qsuite, where two to four people can share a very private space where they are open to each other. JL F does have paired seats in the center where a couple can interact during the flight.
The question isn’t whether CX F is better than QR J. It’s whether they’re worth the same number of miles. I don’t believe they are.
Sep 4, 2020, 7:39 pm
#1317
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
I never thought the question was which is better. They're different. Personally, I enjoy them all. Qsuite, JL F, CX F, EY 777 F, EY A380 F, QF F (which I very rarely get to enjoy). AA F with the unique swivel seat. Even QR F (surprisingly disappointing) or BA F (although very different on the now-retired 747 vs 777 vs A380 vs 787).
Sep 5, 2020, 7:49 am
#1318
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,052
AA, UA, DL, AS, all allow booking U.S. to Asia as one award, using their own or partner metal. IATA zones have nothing to do with any of this.
In a post just above your post I explained how to book paid and award flights in one record, which allows through-checking of bags.
In a post just above your post I explained how to book paid and award flights in one record, which allows through-checking of bags.
Airlines do divide the three global zones further into smaller zones, and place additional restrictions based on those. However my post was only in regards to the issue of why can't go US-EU-ASIA on one award, even if it's a better routing.
In general except for ME airlines, airlines follow the not transiting three zone rule. It's the one routing rule that still is generally observed by all but ME airlines.
Sep 5, 2020, 8:30 am
#1319
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,542
I never said you can't get one award from US-ASIA. What you cant usually (note usually not always) do is one award going across all three global zones. Thus US-EU-ASIA isn't generally allowed. US-ASIA-ASIA is only two zones, thus allowed.
Airlines do divide the three global zones further into smaller zones, and place additional restrictions based on those. However my post was only in regards to the issue of why can't go US-EU-ASIA on one award, even if it's a better routing.
In general except for ME airlines, airlines follow the not transiting three zone rule. It's the one routing rule that still is generally observed by all but ME airlines.
Airlines do divide the three global zones further into smaller zones, and place additional restrictions based on those. However my post was only in regards to the issue of why can't go US-EU-ASIA on one award, even if it's a better routing.
In general except for ME airlines, airlines follow the not transiting three zone rule. It's the one routing rule that still is generally observed by all but ME airlines.
Just a datapoint, not trying to take this thread further afield. Best to all - Jamie
Sep 5, 2020, 5:16 pm
#1320
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 159
I'm looking to book J for 2 peoeple from JFK-DOH-MLE in oct 2020. I can find award availability on JFK-DOH, but nothing for DOH-MLE, not even in economy. weirdly, there is economy available everyday in september, and a few days available last week of october, but not for the rest of october. Does anyone know why? Is it due to them not loading the october 2020 schedule yet or something?
Also likelihood that it opens up in J?
Thanks!
Also likelihood that it opens up in J?
Thanks!