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)
Feb 21, 2018, 9:15 pm
#196
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
Yes, it's been ticketed for months.
It's odd, because I am able to enter the PNR and my name, and it first gets a "Data Flow Error" that says it got an error pulling up the details, but if I click "OK" it then shows me the details and the flights. Then, after clicking "Additional Services" I get the fatal error "We encountered a technical issue and will not be able to proceed with this transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience and suggest you call us on 02 599 0000 from within the UAE or +971 2 599 0000 from elsewhere for assistance."
It's odd, because I am able to enter the PNR and my name, and it first gets a "Data Flow Error" that says it got an error pulling up the details, but if I click "OK" it then shows me the details and the flights. Then, after clicking "Additional Services" I get the fatal error "We encountered a technical issue and will not be able to proceed with this transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience and suggest you call us on 02 599 0000 from within the UAE or +971 2 599 0000 from elsewhere for assistance."
Feb 21, 2018, 9:54 pm
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Yes, it's been ticketed for months.
It's odd, because I am able to enter the PNR and my name, and it first gets a "Data Flow Error" that says it got an error pulling up the details, but if I click "OK" it then shows me the details and the flights. Then, after clicking "Additional Services" I get the fatal error "We encountered a technical issue and will not be able to proceed with this transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience and suggest you call us on 02 599 0000 from within the UAE or +971 2 599 0000 from elsewhere for assistance."
It's odd, because I am able to enter the PNR and my name, and it first gets a "Data Flow Error" that says it got an error pulling up the details, but if I click "OK" it then shows me the details and the flights. Then, after clicking "Additional Services" I get the fatal error "We encountered a technical issue and will not be able to proceed with this transaction. We apologize for the inconvenience and suggest you call us on 02 599 0000 from within the UAE or +971 2 599 0000 from elsewhere for assistance."
Feb 23, 2018, 9:16 pm
#199
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 51
Tried using the mobile site trick to select new seats for my parents’ AA award in J. It seemed to work that day, however, I checked again a few days later and it was showing their old seats again… Not sure if Etihad already closed the loophole or it never actually worked.
Anyone else see their seats switch back?
Anyone else see their seats switch back?
Feb 24, 2018, 1:55 am
#200
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Platinum Pro, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 215
Hi all,
I'm trying to book an award from LAX to CMN (Casablanca in Morocco, Africa). I know the rules say you can only route through the Middle East via Qatar Airways - but availability on Qatar is astrocious (1 available date in 2 weeks).
On the other hand, Etihad availability is plentiful. I was wondering if anyone has any experience booking itinerary such as LAX-AUH-CMN as one award? Probably not according to the "rules", but i figure can't hurt to ask.
Thank you!
I'm trying to book an award from LAX to CMN (Casablanca in Morocco, Africa). I know the rules say you can only route through the Middle East via Qatar Airways - but availability on Qatar is astrocious (1 available date in 2 weeks).
On the other hand, Etihad availability is plentiful. I was wondering if anyone has any experience booking itinerary such as LAX-AUH-CMN as one award? Probably not according to the "rules", but i figure can't hurt to ask.
Thank you!
Feb 24, 2018, 2:29 am
#201
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,574
The chance of getting it is about zero
It would be amazingly lucky to get the 3rd region rule missed, but also , EY has no fare listed from LAX-CMN and it is nowhere near being the most direct route
Even though QR may be valid for the 3rd region, even it has no fare listed for LAX-CMN, so unlikely that this will be allowed
It would be amazingly lucky to get the 3rd region rule missed, but also , EY has no fare listed from LAX-CMN and it is nowhere near being the most direct route
Even though QR may be valid for the 3rd region, even it has no fare listed for LAX-CMN, so unlikely that this will be allowed
Feb 24, 2018, 2:29 am
#202
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
I guess you just have to call EY to try to figure this out. And depending on what EY customer service tells you, you might also want to post a question(s) about this confusing situation at the EY forum. I had what seemed to be a last minute glitch a couple of years ago, posted a question about it at the forum, and was reassured (correctly, as it turned out) that it was just a normal EY site glitch. Of course, that doesn't provide absolute assurance, but it's better than nothing.
Tried using the mobile site trick to select new seats for my parents’ AA award in J. It seemed to work that day, however, I checked again a few days later and it was showing their old seats again… Not sure if Etihad already closed the loophole or it never actually worked.
Feb 24, 2018, 5:59 am
#203
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,629
Hi all,
I'm trying to book an award from LAX to CMN (Casablanca in Morocco, Africa). I know the rules say you can only route through the Middle East via Qatar Airways - but availability on Qatar is astrocious (1 available date in 2 weeks).
On the other hand, Etihad availability is plentiful. I was wondering if anyone has any experience booking itinerary such as LAX-AUH-CMN as one award? Probably not according to the "rules", but i figure can't hurt to ask.
Thank you!
I'm trying to book an award from LAX to CMN (Casablanca in Morocco, Africa). I know the rules say you can only route through the Middle East via Qatar Airways - but availability on Qatar is astrocious (1 available date in 2 weeks).
On the other hand, Etihad availability is plentiful. I was wondering if anyone has any experience booking itinerary such as LAX-AUH-CMN as one award? Probably not according to the "rules", but i figure can't hurt to ask.
Thank you!
Feb 24, 2018, 11:40 am
#204
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 51
Seems odd that your seat would switch back. Had you checked immediately after changing them? While on the phone with EY to have them assign seats, as soon as the agent confirmed that he had assigned our seats, I used EF to verify that those seats now showed occupied. Seems reasonable to double-check with a different source.
Feb 24, 2018, 10:49 pm
#205
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: AA Plat, DL PM (not for long)
Posts: 546
I have an EY F booking AUH-SYD that's within the 48 hr check-in window, but it won't let me check in online - it says I have to go to the airport. Should I be worried about something being wrong with the reservation or is this just a visa check (we have Australian ETAs)?
I've been nervous about this reservation since booking, as I never got a confirmation email. The AA website says "Ticketed", and the Twitter AAgents assure me everything is fine.
I was able to check into my JFK-AUH flight on a separate award without issue.
I've been nervous about this reservation since booking, as I never got a confirmation email. The AA website says "Ticketed", and the Twitter AAgents assure me everything is fine.
I was able to check into my JFK-AUH flight on a separate award without issue.
Feb 25, 2018, 12:58 am
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
I have an EY F booking AUH-SYD that's within the 48 hr check-in window, but it won't let me check in online - it says I have to go to the airport. Should I be worried about something being wrong with the reservation or is this just a visa check (we have Australian ETAs)?
I've been nervous about this reservation since booking, as I never got a confirmation email. The AA website says "Ticketed", and the Twitter AAgents assure me everything is fine.
I was able to check into my JFK-AUH flight on a separate award without issue.
I've been nervous about this reservation since booking, as I never got a confirmation email. The AA website says "Ticketed", and the Twitter AAgents assure me everything is fine.
I was able to check into my JFK-AUH flight on a separate award without issue.
My uninformed guess is that your problem is simply EY needing to confirm your visa or some minor glitch in the glitch-prone EY site/system. Anyway, I suggest:
1. Notwithstanding my own experience I just mentioned, call EY to see if everything is ok from their end.
2. Call AA for the same confirmation (even though you've already gotten it via twitter).
3. Perhaps most usefully, post your question at the EY forum, where you're more likely to get replies from folks familiar with the EY system.
Hope it all works out!
Feb 25, 2018, 5:38 am
#207
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
I have an EY F booking AUH-SYD that's within the 48 hr check-in window, but it won't let me check in online - it says I have to go to the airport. Should I be worried about something being wrong with the reservation or is this just a visa check (we have Australian ETAs)?
I've been nervous about this reservation since booking, as I never got a confirmation email. The AA website says "Ticketed", and the Twitter AAgents assure me everything is fine.
I was able to check into my JFK-AUH flight on a separate award without issue.
I've been nervous about this reservation since booking, as I never got a confirmation email. The AA website says "Ticketed", and the Twitter AAgents assure me everything is fine.
I was able to check into my JFK-AUH flight on a separate award without issue.
Feb 25, 2018, 11:30 am
#208
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
I have ave a biz award ticket for my mother for dfw- hyd booked for next month on EY. Now we have to change her travel to July but EY stops flying from DFW end of March. I see availability from JFK for the date in July don't know how to include/book DFW -jfk on the same reservation. Can someone please suggest the right path here?
Feb 25, 2018, 11:47 am
#209
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: AA Plat, DL PM (not for long)
Posts: 546
This sounds something like what I ran into two or three years ago, though I can't recall the exact details so can't tell you whether it was exactly the same situation. I do recall that I couldn't check in online and had to do so at the airport. It was pretty worrisome in that I got conflicting information from EY CSRs as to what the problem was. But I received some (correct) reassurance when I asked about the problem at the EY forum and encountered no problems checking in at the airport.
My uninformed guess is that your problem is simply EY needing to confirm your visa or some minor glitch in the glitch-prone EY site/system. Anyway, I suggest:
1. Notwithstanding my own experience I just mentioned, call EY to see if everything is ok from their end.
2. Call AA for the same confirmation (even though you've already gotten it via twitter).
3. Perhaps most usefully, post your question at the EY forum, where you're more likely to get replies from folks familiar with the EY system.
Hope it all works out!
My uninformed guess is that your problem is simply EY needing to confirm your visa or some minor glitch in the glitch-prone EY site/system. Anyway, I suggest:
1. Notwithstanding my own experience I just mentioned, call EY to see if everything is ok from their end.
2. Call AA for the same confirmation (even though you've already gotten it via twitter).
3. Perhaps most usefully, post your question at the EY forum, where you're more likely to get replies from folks familiar with the EY system.
Hope it all works out!
Feb 25, 2018, 1:40 pm
#210
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
If DFW-JFK is available on AA, you book it the same way you book the EY segments, i.e. you ask for the flights you want during the phone call to AA. If DFW-JFK is not available, then you can't book it. A change of dates and routing is free, but the award seats have to be available. You can check Saaver award availability on aa.com.