Jan 14, 2016, 5:43 am
Last edit by: medellinfein
Booking Award Seats on EY / Etihad Airways Using AA / AAdvantage Miles
Also see: Earning AA Miles EQM / EQD / EQS on EY / Etihad (master thread)
This thread is about how to book Etihad / EY award seats using AA AAdvantage miles, and sharing success stories. This wiki is new, so anyone with 90/90 who wishes to add helpful information is, of course, urged to do so.
NOTE:AA has removed most EY and QR award access from aa.com due to a glitch booking these:
Please see the archived threads for previous experiences:
Also see: Earning AA Miles EQM / EQD / EQS on EY / Etihad (master thread)
This thread is about how to book Etihad / EY award seats using AA AAdvantage miles, and sharing success stories. This wiki is new, so anyone with 90/90 who wishes to add helpful information is, of course, urged to do so.
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.
- You can now search or book awards for travel on EY (Etihad) on www.aa.com.
- You can search award availability on EY's website. Look only for seats on flights operated by Etihad Airways that are labeled as "GuestSeats". You can also search on ExpertFlyer
- Note: You may see more availability if you search on EY's website using itineraries that do not originate in the US. In other words, to potentially see more availability on a USA-XYZ segment, search for XYZ-USA-XYZ. Expertflyer does not report this additional availability (if any), and US-based agents probably will not be able to see or book it (but see further below for Fiji).
- To expand on this point a bit, it seems that even if you only want to fly USA-AUH (or to other foreign destinations, since they route through AUH), due to an EY website quirk you need to search AUH-USA-AUH in order to find available USA-AUH routes.
- You no longer have to call AA to book them. You may need to request the AA agent to look up the inventory one segment at a time in order to find the inventory in their system. OR:
- It is often or even typically the case that for first and business class awards US agents cannot see the award space that you see on Etihad's site. Your best bet, then, is to call AA Australia (+61 2-9101-1948 ) then press 3 - or the New Zealand number (+64 09-308-4014) (actually South African contractor Mindpearl in Fiji) or Singapore (+65 6349-8444) as an alternative - what you need is the specific call center which is actually in Suva, Fiji (I believe it's our old South African agency friend Mindpearl) or, according to recent reports, in Trinidad (since there have been some reports that the Fiji center has closed). You can put the EY segments on hold so you can flesh out the award afterward and/or pay the fees in USD through the US call center, or simply buy it through non-US call center if you think you won't be making subsequent routing changes (such as adding AA connecting flights within the USA) that would incur fees. (NOTE: calls may get picked up by the local Brisbane office, or rerouted to Trinidad or the USA. As noted, there are reports that the Fiji call center has closed, but people have still been able to book some of the time, particularly if they reach the Trinidad center since that seems to be the call center that yields the greatest success in late 2017 and 2018 - with the big caveat that there are at least as many failures as successes in calling there, including repeatedly. To increase the chances of success, you may have to call several times, since for some reason a given customer service representative at a given time won't see availability even if it shows at the EY site, but another CSR at the same center may be able to do so even a few minutes later. It's conceivable that this difference is due to some CSRs knowing how to search for award availability better than others do, but that's simply a matter of speculation at this point.)
- Note: EY award holds only last 72 hours...irrespective of what AA reservation hold email states
- Booking connections via AUH / Abu Dabhi using one award is now allowed.
- Get both AA and EY reservation codes/numbers: Upon booking with AA, make sure to get the EY reservation number as well as that of AA from the AA CSR, as without the EY number it will be difficult or impossible to deal with EY, such as for checking or managing your reservation online. And of course, if there is another airline involved in the reservation as well (such as BA), get its reservation number.
- A handy EY route map is here: http://flights.etihad.com/routemap.
- The applicable AAdvantage miles award chart is the oneworld and partner airlines award chart.
- Award routing rules are in the wikipost of this thread.
- If you find EY inventory from your continent but not your city of choice, as usual you can include any other AAdvantage award airlines in order to complete the itinerary. E.g. LHR-xAUH-DEL-xAUH-CDG on EY connecting to CDG-LHR on BA.
- WARNING: While this trick is great for new bookings (especially if you have patience to get lucky for call to be routed to Fiji office), modifying booking on partner airlines is always risky especially when an overseas center is involved, Your original seats are immediately released and while new reservation is supposedly confirmed, it may actually not the case until ticket desk actually issues ticket after approval of the partner liaison. Weekend/Holidays/Time-Difference can delay issuance of ticket and if something goes wrong, there is always risk of being SOL. (Mistakes by agents are rare but not unheard of).
- SEAT ASSIGNMENTS: You cannot choose seats until after ticketing. Even then, the regular web site will not allow seat assignments to be made for AAdvantage award bookings. The mobile site (which can be reached with either a mobile or a desktop browser) may work in some cases. Calling EY to make seat assignments always works, as long as you can give them the EY record locator, and as long as AA has issued the ticket (which can take a few days, you will get e-mail). Call 1-877-690-0767, press 1 for English, then 2 for First/Business, then 2 for existing bookings, then they will tell you the call is ending - but it's not: they have added "press 1 to speak to an agent", so finally, press 1 to continue the call. After this, you should have someone on the line quickly to help you. They will ask you a series of questions such as "What class are you traveling in?" and "Where are you going?" Alternatively, you can choose your seats on the Etihad website and app by using the EY record locator to find your award itinerary.
- Availability: EY award availability using AA miles can be fairly good, including in business and first class - IF you get past the big, aforementioned challenge of actually booking award seats that the EY site shows as available but that AA agents have trouble finding. But it ebbs and flows quite a bit in at least two respects (in addition to the general rule that the further in advance you seek availability, the better, as well as reports that availability is easier to find from one to three weeks before a flight): 1) availability showing at the EY site and 2) even if availability shows at the EY site, the ability of non-US call centers (especially the "least bad" ones for finding availability, which might have been Fiji and might now be Trinidad) to find that availability. So if the EY site is not showing availability for a given day or week, and if you have flexibility, check other dates. And if availability seems to be particularly constrained across many dates, particularly if you are searching many months in advance, check again periodically to see if this has changed (or arrange an alert via ExpertFlyer, if it provides such a service for EY flights).
- "Baby-sit" your tickets: Though this advice could apply to many award bookings, EY's systems can be glitchy and the airline apparently is going through some financial challenges. So it makes sense to check online or via phone occasionally with EY to make sure everything remains in order, particularly if there have been even minor changes in things like your flight times. And if there seem to be problems, including with checking in online or other procedures, the EY forum here at FT can be a source of useful advice about whether or not those problems are worth worrying about.
- Itinerary: You can use https://www.virtuallythere.com/new/login.html to enter your EY record locator and last name to 1)display your complete itinerary 2)save a pdf 3)add to outlook/ical 4)view ticket # and different times the ticket has been reissued
- AA lounge access: If you book a premium cabin itinerary on EY with domestic connections on AA, you will not be able to access the Admiral's Club during your domestic layovers because EY is not a member of OW.
Please see the archived threads for previous experiences:
- How to: Use AA Miles to Book Award on Etihad / EY (Archive - 2015 and earlier)
- Success stories booking awards on Etihad using AA miles (Archive - 2015 and earlier)
- Booking AA Award travel on Etihad / EY - [2015-17 ARCHIVE]
Booking AA Award travel on Etihad / EY (master thread July 2017 onwards)
Aug 12, 2023, 11:46 am
#2056
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 11
Hello, I’ve booked two business class tickets using AA miles. We were able to purchase an infant lap seat through Etihad. Then the representative from Etihad called us back telling us that the infant ticket was going to be cancelled because the tickets numbers are different and that AA has to generate her ticket. I checked my reservation through Etihad and her name is in the reservation. We called AA to confirm if she is in the reservation and she said that the ticket was cancelled. I checked the reservation through AA and Etihad and her name is still there. The AA representative suggested to go to the airport on the day of travel to get Etihad to issue the ticket. Anyone has gone through this and can advise me?
First you have to ask AA to generate/create the ticket / fake ticket on their site for infant, after you call in Etihad and ask them to buy out the ticket and connect it to your ticket.
DO NOT go to the airport on the day of travel. With Etihad you can do it online. With Qatar and Cathay you have "problems", however from my experience it could be solved if you find normal support.
+ you pay % from ticket price and if you go to the airport, ticket could be too expensive for infant. I think I spent 3-4 days to find the way how to book a ticket with Etihad and almost 2 months with Qatar)
Aug 13, 2023, 10:44 am
#2057
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Marriott Rewards, Hyatt, Chase Sapphire, Starwood
Posts: 5
How did you book it? Did you call one of AA's call centers internationally? I just tried calling Australia, UK, Hong Kong and New Zealand. I see "guest seat" availability from ORD-AUH on Jan 10th in J but they can't see it. Do y'all think this is a temporary system glitch/issue?
Aug 14, 2023, 9:47 pm
#2058
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC, GIG
Posts: 334
After seeing a ton of phantom space at the end of July, and then no space at all, today I was able to book KHI-AUD-JFK in J on the AA site. I then called up American and had them downgrade the KHI-AUD sector to Y to avoid US$900 in taxes, and then had the agent issue the ticket. If space opens up on Qatar I'll probably cancel and switch to that - although the connection isn't quite as good as this - but glad to have this now as an option.
With the Asian partners offering almost no availability, EY and QR are about the only ways I have to suck some value out of AAdvantage these days (and rather good value it is) so good to have EY now bookable online (and a 3rd daily JFK-DOH starting in November). I just wish AA offered an award from North America to Asia through the Gulf without booking two separate awards.
With the Asian partners offering almost no availability, EY and QR are about the only ways I have to suck some value out of AAdvantage these days (and rather good value it is) so good to have EY now bookable online (and a 3rd daily JFK-DOH starting in November). I just wish AA offered an award from North America to Asia through the Gulf without booking two separate awards.
Aug 21, 2023, 6:05 am
#2059
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: DCA/IAD & BUF
Posts: 1,409
I had a hold that expired tonight at midnight. Checked earlier this afternoon, confirmed it was still there, and canceled a different award to have miles to purchase.
Just went in to make the purchase and it's gone from my account. Completely gone. Bizarre it would disappear somewhere between 6-8 hours early. Have not seen that happen before, just a few hours like that. Very odd.
The award appears to be returned to inventory, but I get the 'pick another flight' error now when try to select.
Just went in to make the purchase and it's gone from my account. Completely gone. Bizarre it would disappear somewhere between 6-8 hours early. Have not seen that happen before, just a few hours like that. Very odd.
The award appears to be returned to inventory, but I get the 'pick another flight' error now when try to select.
Successfully put IAD-MLE on hold two days ago. Went into my account this morning and noticed it was gone. Tgonetried to purchase directly from my confirmation email link and status came up 'cancelled'. Of course, I didn't cancel it.
It's gone now and not returned to inventory. Lesson Learned, will probably not mess holds on Etihad going forward, just try to purchase and cancel later if needed.
Curious if anyone else is having problems with Holds?
Aug 22, 2023, 9:15 am
#2060
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 3
For the 2nd time in a month, trouble with an Etihad flight disappearing after putting it on hold.
Successfully put IAD-MLE on hold two days ago. Went into my account this morning and noticed it was gone. Tgonetried to purchase directly from my confirmation email link and status came up 'cancelled'. Of course, I didn't cancel it.
It's gone now and not returned to inventory. Lesson Learned, will probably not mess holds on Etihad going forward, just try to purchase and cancel later if needed.
Curious if anyone else is having problems with Holds?
Successfully put IAD-MLE on hold two days ago. Went into my account this morning and noticed it was gone. Tgonetried to purchase directly from my confirmation email link and status came up 'cancelled'. Of course, I didn't cancel it.
It's gone now and not returned to inventory. Lesson Learned, will probably not mess holds on Etihad going forward, just try to purchase and cancel later if needed.
Curious if anyone else is having problems with Holds?
Aug 27, 2023, 5:50 am
#2061
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVP 100k, Hyatt Globalist, Hhonors Diamond, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 69
I am not having much luck with AA call centers to book a J award. I see guestseat availability on EY, but not on aeroplan and AA. Just wanted to check here if EY site has any phantom space issues? If not, i will keep trying calling AA country specific numbers (focusing on Australia, UK and newzealand)
Aug 29, 2023, 7:10 am
#2062
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
I am not having much luck with AA call centers to book a J award. I see guestseat availability on EY, but not on aeroplan and AA. Just wanted to check here if EY site has any phantom space issues? If not, i will keep trying calling AA country specific numbers (focusing on Australia, UK and newzealand)
Sep 6, 2023, 10:50 am
#2064
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 143
Sorry for the stupid question but how do I find GuestSeat award availability? The only option I find on the website is to mix cash + points (Book with Miles) which I believe is just cashing out points at about ~1 cpp.
I don't see any GuestSeat availability on Etihad but I see award availability for my desired flight on AA.com. The only issue is that I have points locked up in Etihad. Do AA and EY use the same award bucket? If I call in Etihad, will they be able to issue me the same award flight available with AA? Would appreciate any advice.
I don't see any GuestSeat availability on Etihad but I see award availability for my desired flight on AA.com. The only issue is that I have points locked up in Etihad. Do AA and EY use the same award bucket? If I call in Etihad, will they be able to issue me the same award flight available with AA? Would appreciate any advice.
Sep 21, 2023, 6:04 pm
#2065
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Kansas City - MCI
Programs: AA Exec Plat, WN CP, Hilton GoId, IHG Spire, Hyatt Globalist, Citi, Barclay, Chase, Amex, CapOne
Posts: 257
Has anyone successfully booked an EY J longhaul award in the past couple of months? I've had zero success with any AA call center being able to see I-class seats (should match Etihad Guest Seat availability) since sometime in June or July. Same issue with Aeroplan.
Sep 22, 2023, 9:12 pm
#2066
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: America!
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist Caesars Wyndham Diamond, MGM Gold
Posts: 251
Same issue like others. Can see business guest for 110K on Etihad site. But does not show up on AA or Aeroplan. Called US, Aus, NZ and no luck. Any trick to grab them?
Sep 23, 2023, 1:05 am
#2067
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 84
Seems like it comes and goes. I booked ORD-AUH a couple months ago but it seemed to be only available for a few days. Before that experienced a lot of the issues people are noting now. I see IAD-AUH show up for T-40ish but nothing beyond that. Seems to be that nothing shows up beyond that window
Sep 26, 2023, 7:18 am
#2068
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SEA, ATL (wish it was still ORD)
Programs: AA EXP; DL Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist (marriage perk)
Posts: 521
Just as an FYI there is pretty wide availability of First on IAD-AUH route in the coming three weeks. Booked two seats for myself and wife for an extended weekend celebration in AUH. Cost 115K miles + 50 bucks in taxes and fees.
Sep 30, 2023, 6:17 am
#2069
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Kansas City - MCI
Programs: AA Exec Plat, WN CP, Hilton GoId, IHG Spire, Hyatt Globalist, Citi, Barclay, Chase, Amex, CapOne
Posts: 257
Assuming this was booked online, right? I see those seats on EY as Guest First Seats as well as on AA online. That makes sense. It's the J seats that appear on EY as Guest Seats that seem to be blocked by AA both via phone and online, unless they're one of the couple for the entire year that folks have already booked and canceled so they're back in bookable inventory. Less than 5 seats, systemwide, on all US-AUH routes for the next 365 days.
Oct 1, 2023, 11:21 pm
#2070
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: America!
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist Caesars Wyndham Diamond, MGM Gold
Posts: 251
