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)
Oct 7, 2018, 9:47 pm
#661
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
Why isn't it random? What is the logic? A list of random exceptions is not logical just because there is a list.
Not worth arguing about, I guess. But to me,"logic" means that there is a single reasonable rule or a short list of reasonable rules from which everything that is allowed can be deduced. I agree that the list is fixed and does not change unpredictably. But that does not make it logical.
Not worth arguing about, I guess. But to me,"logic" means that there is a single reasonable rule or a short list of reasonable rules from which everything that is allowed can be deduced. I agree that the list is fixed and does not change unpredictably. But that does not make it logical.
The general rule is that travel via a 3rd regon is not permitted, but due to geography ( for QR ) and feasibility of direct travel for other regions, AA has provided some exceptions - this seems pretty logical; seems also more generous than just not having any permitted exceptions
That it is fixed and does not change unpredictably , by definition, makes it not random - that you would need to refer to a table makes it no less logical than the table of award pricing ,
Oct 7, 2018, 10:14 pm
#662
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
Anyway, not worth arguing about---over and out.
Oct 8, 2018, 1:05 pm
#663
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 243
hey guys, i booked MLE-AUH-ORD just over a week ago and the ticket still says "on request". ive chatted with AA on twitter/called the Gold number on the back of the card and they keep saying that my ticket is in queue and there is nothing they can do. is it normal for it to take over a week? i find it hard to believe that after it being on request for over a week they have absolutely no authority to change or expedite the status to ticketed...
Last edited by beastieb; Oct 8, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Oct 8, 2018, 4:20 pm
#664
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
I booked a similar itinerary a week or so ago(MLE-AUH-JFK-LAX)... I expected it to take a while to get ticketed but was really surprised when the status changed to ticketed within 24 hours. The only main difference is I had a leg on AA, maybe that had something to do with it. That being said I have ready its not uncommon for it not to be ticketed for over a week. Any updates yet?
Very easy
Oct 8, 2018, 6:23 pm
#665
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
I booked a similar itinerary a week or so ago(MLE-AUH-JFK-LAX)... I expected it to take a while to get ticketed but was really surprised when the status changed to ticketed within 24 hours. The only main difference is I had a leg on AA, maybe that had something to do with it. That being said I have read its not uncommon for it not to be ticketed for over a week. Any updates yet?
Oct 8, 2018, 11:01 pm
#667
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold, UA Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 342
so i phoned AA again and asked to speak to a manager this time.. she said that she was able to let me know my seat is "confirmed" (whatever that means, because by now i would hope that the ticket would be confirmed) but thats they are super behind on ticketing so its going to take up to a month. that seems like BS to me and i will call again tomorrow to see what can be done... ive literally never even heard of a ticket taking 2 days to ticket (and i book award tickets all the time), never mind 10 days or an entire month (!!) as this woman claims... its been quite frustrating as ive booked my holiday in the maldives already and I just want this ticket to be ticked so i can stop worrying about it and make my plans concrete.
this issue is that my ticket is still "on request".. it hasn't even changed to pending!
this issue is that my ticket is still "on request".. it hasn't even changed to pending!
Last edited by rvlcr; Oct 8, 2018 at 11:07 pm
Oct 9, 2018, 3:57 am
#668
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: USA
Programs: AA-CK, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,449
I had a ticket on request fro JFK-AUH-CAI, I called after three days and was told it can take a few days. On the fifth day which was the original ticket by date, I called again and mentioned that it was the ticket by date on the original reservation. The agent agreed and decided to giver their partner liaison a call. The liaison removed the ticket from the "review queue" and two hours later it was issued.
Oct 9, 2018, 7:55 am
#669
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
so i phoned AA again and asked to speak to a manager this time.. she said that she was able to let me know my seat is "confirmed" (whatever that means, because by now i would hope that the ticket would be confirmed) but thats they are super behind on ticketing so its going to take up to a month. that seems like BS to me and i will call again tomorrow to see what can be done... ive literally never even heard of a ticket taking 2 days to ticket (and i book award tickets all the time), never mind 10 days or an entire month (!!) as this woman claims... its been quite frustrating as ive booked my holiday in the maldives already and I just want this ticket to be ticked so i can stop worrying about it and make my plans concrete.
this issue is that my ticket is still "on request".. it hasn't even changed to pending!
this issue is that my ticket is still "on request".. it hasn't even changed to pending!
Update: I called the Singapore number and the rep was able to get the ticket issued within 10 mins
Last edited by Stivelio; Oct 9, 2018 at 9:12 am
Oct 9, 2018, 11:41 pm
#671
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,290
Thank you all very much. I’m working on booking several awards for the next year and I’ve never booked anything on EY. This thread has been very helpful for navigating the process.
FWIW, great luck the past few days with several calls to the Singapore number in the Wiki, picked up quickly and agents were well spoken and seemed knowledgeable. Australia and New Zealand numbers had long hold times.
Wondering if someone can tell me why they tell me something cannot be booked. Traveling between PVG and JFK, possible overnight connection at LHR. Been told twice that desired flights cannot be booked.
The system will allow each of the following to be booked as a one-way award in business class in May 2019:
EY 867 (PVG 00:45 - AUH 06:20) connecting to EY 19 (AUH 08:10 – LHR 13:00) 70,000 miles
and/or
EY 19 (AUH 08:10 – LHR 13:00) connecting next day to British Airways BA 175 (LHR 09:35 – JFK 12:25) 42,500 miles
But when trying to combine the 3 flights into a single one-way award (i.e. PVG-AUH-LHR-JFK) the agent tells me it can only be done with an afternoon EY flight between AUH and LHR (i.e. EY 867 (PVG 00:45 – AUH 06:20) connecting to EY 17 (AUH 13:55 – LHR 18:45) connecting next day to British Airways BA 175 (LHR 09:35 – JFK 12:25) 110,000 miles) and it cannot be done with EY 19.
Anyone with any insights to why the system will not allow booking EY 19 as part of this award itinerary?
Thank you.
(Separate question. Called Australia or Singapore 5 days ago, put another one-way award on hold, my first EY award (January, EY #13 AUH-LHR, 23 hr layover then BA # 175 LHR-JFK). Called USA call center yesterday to ticket, was told due to EY and BA it will take up to 1 week to ticket. How long should it take? When should I get concerned about delays and perhaps call AA again? Thanks very much again.)
FWIW, great luck the past few days with several calls to the Singapore number in the Wiki, picked up quickly and agents were well spoken and seemed knowledgeable. Australia and New Zealand numbers had long hold times.
Wondering if someone can tell me why they tell me something cannot be booked. Traveling between PVG and JFK, possible overnight connection at LHR. Been told twice that desired flights cannot be booked.
The system will allow each of the following to be booked as a one-way award in business class in May 2019:
EY 867 (PVG 00:45 - AUH 06:20) connecting to EY 19 (AUH 08:10 – LHR 13:00) 70,000 miles
and/or
EY 19 (AUH 08:10 – LHR 13:00) connecting next day to British Airways BA 175 (LHR 09:35 – JFK 12:25) 42,500 miles
But when trying to combine the 3 flights into a single one-way award (i.e. PVG-AUH-LHR-JFK) the agent tells me it can only be done with an afternoon EY flight between AUH and LHR (i.e. EY 867 (PVG 00:45 – AUH 06:20) connecting to EY 17 (AUH 13:55 – LHR 18:45) connecting next day to British Airways BA 175 (LHR 09:35 – JFK 12:25) 110,000 miles) and it cannot be done with EY 19.
Anyone with any insights to why the system will not allow booking EY 19 as part of this award itinerary?
Thank you.
(Separate question. Called Australia or Singapore 5 days ago, put another one-way award on hold, my first EY award (January, EY #13 AUH-LHR, 23 hr layover then BA # 175 LHR-JFK). Called USA call center yesterday to ticket, was told due to EY and BA it will take up to 1 week to ticket. How long should it take? When should I get concerned about delays and perhaps call AA again? Thanks very much again.)
Oct 12, 2018, 7:51 am
#673
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,290
FWIW, I called the AA USA number last night, spoke with a terrific agent in Arizona who looked at many different EY award possibilities. I mentioned that in the past my experience was that USA based AA phone agents had NOT been able to look up EY award space, the agent was surprised, said maybe it was based on call center location.
Maybe AA is changing what their phone agents can see and book?
Oct 12, 2018, 8:04 am
#674
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 805
Correct. I have minimal personal experience, 2-3 calls to AA USA phone # in the past 2 weeks, every time the phone agent said they could not search or see EY award space. The Wiki at the top of this thread and several blogs all recommend calling an AA international phone # to book EY awards, usually after finding availability on the EY website.
FWIW, I called the AA USA number last night, spoke with a terrific agent in Arizona who looked at many different EY award possibilities. I mentioned that in the past my experience was that USA based AA phone agents had NOT been able to look up EY award space, the agent was surprised, said maybe it was based on call center location.
Maybe AA is changing what their phone agents can see and book?
FWIW, I called the AA USA number last night, spoke with a terrific agent in Arizona who looked at many different EY award possibilities. I mentioned that in the past my experience was that USA based AA phone agents had NOT been able to look up EY award space, the agent was surprised, said maybe it was based on call center location.
Maybe AA is changing what their phone agents can see and book?
Yours hasn't ticketed yet has it? I'm still waiting on this EY award to ticket as well as some JL tickets I booked in the past couple weeks.
Oct 12, 2018, 9:18 am
#675
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, World of Hyatt Discoverist, Ultimate Rewards, AMEX
Posts: 18
My fiancée and I have two award tickets booked in the Apartments on the A380 from AUH-JFK, however, our final destination is DCA and in the intervening time our trip plans have changed. At the time we booked we planned to head Thailand and now we plan to head to Maldives. Originally there was no saver space for domestic First Class between JFK-DCA so we just booked the AUH-JFK segment and planned to either buy economy tickets and get a complimentary upgrade on the route or use miles if space became available for a First Class JFK-DCA ticket. Now there is Saver First Class space available on JFK-DCA segment and if we paid the change fee we could also add one MLE-AUH segment. Have others had experience changing the origin and destination on AA award tickets for travel on Etihad? Is there is a chance we could lose our original space on the AUH-JFK segment? I am thinking about changing the tickets but don't want to jeopardize our current booking and would appreciate any advice from others who have made an AA award ticket change for Etihad travel.