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 17, 2018, 2:56 pm
#271
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
If the route is sold as a valid, unconstructed routing, it should be theoretically available for an award routing.
“To price as a single award, AAdvantage requires the most significant carrier to publish a cash fare (non-constructed) between the origin and destination. Airline MSC would have to have a published fare from XXX to YYY that allows travel on all included airlines, and routing that you want. If the MSC only offers constructed fares between your desired origin and destination, AA will price this as two awards.”
AA oneworld & Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (master thd)
“To price as a single award, AAdvantage requires the most significant carrier to publish a cash fare (non-constructed) between the origin and destination. Airline MSC would have to have a published fare from XXX to YYY that allows travel on all included airlines, and routing that you want. If the MSC only offers constructed fares between your desired origin and destination, AA will price this as two awards.”
AA oneworld & Other Airline Partner Award information, rules (master thd)
Jul 17, 2018, 9:02 pm
#272
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
The ones I did today were US-DOH-India using AA points for the US-Qatar segment and for the Qatar-India segment. But even after giving credit card info for the charges so they ticket the held booking, the booking status is still showing as “on request” instead of as “ticketed”.
Jul 17, 2018, 11:10 pm
#273
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
I am familiar with how fast and how slow it can take, but I am unfortunately way too familiar with the times when there have been problems getting ticketed fast enough for comfort+ after the status goes to “on request”. Until I see the status of such bookings change to ticketed — especially on mileage space bookings involving partner airlines — I wouldn’t assume that there certainly isn’t and won’t be a problem. Too many times I’ve seen passengers miss or barely make some such award booking flights. Until the miles are withdrawn and a ticket number comes back, there is no guarantee of there being no problem in the process.
Jul 18, 2018, 7:09 am
#274
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: MSP
Posts: 24
I currently have 2 J tickets on QR BKK>DOH>AMS and I would like to change the last leg to DOH>CDG. There is availability on my flight but when I call AA to change it they tell me they cant change it they have to reinstate the points and then rebook it. ( I was told differently the other day so I will HUCA). However if this is the case how soon will the award availability come back? I know I have the last 2 award seats on BKK>DOH and BA's site shows no J availability currently. If I have them reinstate the miles and then book again while the he phone should they be able to do that ? AA is also telling me that QR requires them to cancel and rebook the whole flight is this correct ?
Jul 18, 2018, 7:14 am
#275
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DC
Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 603
I currently have 2 J tickets on QR BKK>DOH>AMS and I would like to change the last leg to DOH>CDG. There is availability on my flight but when I call AA to change it they tell me they cant change it they have to reinstate the points and then rebook it. ( I was told differently the other day so I will HUCA). However if this is the case how soon will the award availability come back? I know I have the last 2 award seats on BKK>DOH and BA's site shows no J availability currently. If I have them reinstate the miles and then book again while the he phone should they be able to do that ? AA is also telling me that QR requires them to cancel and rebook the whole flight is this correct ?
Jul 18, 2018, 7:16 am
#276
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
QR does have ticketing rules that require that searches be from origin to destination and not on a sector basis
If you cancel the booking with the intention of rebooking on another flight, you are taking the risk that availability will not open up.
Unless there is availbility to book new itinerary 1st, I would not risk cancelling - you could just end up out of pocket by redeposit fee and no ticket
If you cancel the booking with the intention of rebooking on another flight, you are taking the risk that availability will not open up.
Unless there is availbility to book new itinerary 1st, I would not risk cancelling - you could just end up out of pocket by redeposit fee and no ticket
Jul 18, 2018, 7:21 am
#277
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
I currently have 2 J tickets on QR BKK>DOH>AMS and I would like to change the last leg to DOH>CDG. There is availability on my flight but when I call AA to change it they tell me they cant change it they have to reinstate the points and then rebook it. ( I was told differently the other day so I will HUCA). However if this is the case how soon will the award availability come back? I know I have the last 2 award seats on BKK>DOH and BA's site shows no J availability currently. If I have them reinstate the miles and then book again while the he phone should they be able to do that ? AA is also telling me that QR requires them to cancel and rebook the whole flight is this correct ?
Jul 18, 2018, 7:27 am
#278
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: MSP
Posts: 24
Keep HUCA until you get a knowledgeable agent that can substitute your DOH-AMS for the new DOH-CDG segment without touching your existing BKK-DOH flight. Definitely do not cancel the entire award with the expectation that your seats on BKK-DOH will go back into award inventory.
Jul 18, 2018, 7:38 am
#279
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
Keep HUCA until you get a knowledgeable agent that can substitute your DOH-AMS for the new DOH-CDG segment without touching your existing BKK-DOH flight. Definitely do not cancel the entire award with the expectation that your seats on BKK-DOH will go back into award inventory.
I think that with QR's booking requirements that the agent was correct and that it needs an agent that doesn't have knowledge of QR rather than a knowledgeable agent
Taking the train would be an easy option , but for 2 people will cost more than $87.50 each I suspect
Jul 18, 2018, 7:55 am
#280
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: MSP
Posts: 24
I wouldn't assume that the availbility exists in conjunction with the current BKK-DOH sector due to QR's married sector use - even if the agent was to try and rebook the single sector
The agent I spoke to earlier was able to see the 4 J seats DOH>CDG.
I think that with QR's booking requirements that the agent was correct and that it needs an agent that doesn't have knowledge of QR rather than a knowledgeable agent
I’ll HUCA and hopefully get someone that can do this. I spoke to an agent a few days ago who said they could do that for just a change fee.
Even if it can be booked, there will be a fee for making the change - either a cancellation or change fee
Change fee would be 175$ cancel fee would be 300$.
Taking the train would be an easy option , but for 2 people will cost more than $87.50 each I suspect
The agent I spoke to earlier was able to see the 4 J seats DOH>CDG.
I think that with QR's booking requirements that the agent was correct and that it needs an agent that doesn't have knowledge of QR rather than a knowledgeable agent
I’ll HUCA and hopefully get someone that can do this. I spoke to an agent a few days ago who said they could do that for just a change fee.
Even if it can be booked, there will be a fee for making the change - either a cancellation or change fee
Change fee would be 175$ cancel fee would be 300$.
Taking the train would be an easy option , but for 2 people will cost more than $87.50 each I suspect
Jul 18, 2018, 8:02 am
#281
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
Of course, I giess that there is the risk with those of missing the train if the flight is delayed and losing the value
Jul 18, 2018, 12:39 pm
#283
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Columbia, MD
Programs: US Airways DM Silver, United Mileage Plus
Posts: 216
If you can't find India-DOH, then it is probably because the award seats aren't yet released, or they've been filled. You can search using Awardnexus if you want, but in my experience, what the BA site shows is pretty close to what AA sees for QR availability.
Jul 18, 2018, 1:36 pm
#284
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: MSP
Posts: 24
Update: talked to another agent and she was not able to change just my last segment. QR needs to change the entire flight. But they only changed me 175$ for the redeposit vs 300$. I had her put a flight on hold for me while she canceled the original flight. And thankfully as soon as I canceled the original ticket the 2 seats were immediately available to rebook. Quite happy as I now have the routing I want and both flights are on an A380. We are sitting in the middle for the overnight leg and both have windows for the leg into CDG. Flights are listed as ticketed now.
Jul 24, 2018, 8:25 pm
#285
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
Can't Fly Award on QATAR PHL-BKK?
I saw on the BA website Award flights available from PHL-DOH-BKK on QATAR. I realize that everything you see on BA are not necessarily available on AA. I called AA to check it out and the agent told me that they system does not allow them to do that routing. They cannot book an Award on QATAR. Why is that do you think?
I flew this route on a revenue ticket in J last year and it was fantastic.
I flew this route on a revenue ticket in J last year and it was fantastic.