Oct 22, 2016, 9:28 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Currently (24 Sep 2017): airberlin has filed for insolvency, and announced they will wind down all operations by 28 October 2017. As of 15 Oct 2017 discontinued all long haul operations. Link to Forbes Magazine article.
Previously:
NOTE: change may be in the air.
Previously:
NOTE: change may be in the air.
http://aviationweek.com/awincommerci...ses-us-partner
http://www.aero.de/news-25278/Americ...ir-Berlin.html
http://www.tt.com/home/12164834-91/a...nes-bangen.csp
The end is nigh...
Should be interesting for those holding award seats on airBerlin... (that would include me).
http://www.aero.de/news-25278/Americ...ir-Berlin.html
http://www.tt.com/home/12164834-91/a...nes-bangen.csp
The end is nigh...
Should be interesting for those holding award seats on airBerlin... (that would include me).
AB / airberlin "Air Berlin" award issues (by 28 Oct 2017 winds down ops)
Sep 30, 2016, 4:54 pm
#167
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
Jan 31, 2017, 6:25 pm
#168
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,980
Jan 31, 2017, 11:49 pm
#169
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,640
Feb 1, 2017, 11:35 am
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,980
Mar 14, 2017, 1:38 pm
#172
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
AY availability is in the same situation as AB's.
AA's online display of award availability is basically a total mucked up on QF, AY and AB since at least 6 months or longer ago. Yet AA does not have any intention to fix it. Calling in is a complete luck of draw on whether you get a competent agent who knows what s/he is doing.
Mar 14, 2017, 2:17 pm
#173
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,640
Well I booked my reservation initially online and did an exchange as new flights become available so the phone fee wasn't applicable. The new flights were the one which didn't show up aa.com
Mar 14, 2017, 2:32 pm
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
That was how I worked around the AY issue. Initially booked the one (and the only one too) showing on AA site. Then called in to change the date which showed on BA site but not on AA site. AAgent could see the AY availability when I gave her the flight info but online it was nil.
Mar 15, 2017, 7:58 pm
#175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,425
Glad to see this thread, as I was looking to book an AB transatlantic ticket. I was planning on redeeming Avios, but sometimes would check for inventory on AA because it's faster. Sure enough, AA didn't show the flight as being available, but it was wide open on BA.
Mar 16, 2017, 10:19 am
#176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
Were you able to get AA booked the AB flight for you, and also waived the booking fee? Or you ended up using Avios?
Mar 16, 2017, 8:04 pm
#177
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,425
No, I used Avios. I was planning on doing so all along (because it's 20,000 miles instead of 30,000). I was just periodically checking the flight on aa.com because it's faster. But also, apparently, less accurate these days!
Mar 16, 2017, 10:20 pm
#178
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
The Germany taxes are very high. If flying economy, the pay ticket these days often are sub $400 R/T - this compares to 20 to 25K Avios + $86 taxes one-way, dont seem award in coach is worth it.
Mar 17, 2017, 10:39 am
#180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,425
Very much correct -- at least for the moment, when close attention to a site like secretflying.com can sometimes net you sub $400 transatlantic flights in season (albeit not likely from Germany due to their carbon tax). That said, if you need a one-way from Germany, Avios on Air Berlin (if it works for you in their limited network) is probably still the best deal.