c1223

Is it possible to change my return flight after I've flown the outbound? Trying to change the return at the moment causes a huge price jump because the original fare bucket for the outbound is not available. My understanding is that once the outbound is flown then that pricing is locked, so the return flight change could be cheaper (as I know there's plenty of availability across various flights JFK - LHR).

sowhatwegetdrunk

Looking to book a business class seat from anywhere in US to anywhere in India during Nov 2nd week for a family member. Etihad routes (ORD, JFK, IAD) have no availability (searching on Etihad site directly for guest seats). Qatar has so many routes (LAX, SFO, SEA, ORD, JFK, DFW & more) and none of those have any availability as well. I am searching for Qatar routes for every city individually on Alaska site and looking for 85K miles business seat and having really very very scarce availability which is also during Nov 1st week (but need on 2nd week)

Am I doing my searching right? Is the availability so bad due to the world cup? Does Qatar have more availability on their own program (avios correct?)? Or is it the same?

Also, Cathay is another option. But not lucky there as well. Using BA Avios tool to find availability. Let me know if I should look elsewhere! I also have Amex MR that I can use. Is CX releasing business seats via asia miles that I can book using MR? Pre-coviid Cathay used to reliably release business and first seats when getting close to travel date (few days to a week) that can be booked with AA/AS milles. Are those days gone for good?

Sorry for so many questions. I am just stumped on the availability even after being flexible to leave from any city in the US. Thanks in advance!

joeyE

Yep. BE is very much upgradeable / eligible for upgrades. I flew CLT-PUJ-CLT recently in BE and was upgraded both ways….

JJeffrey

Definitely possible, you just need to call AA once you've flown the outbound.

SAPMAN

I am AA Plat for Life, but not flown much international recently.
My situation; Flying CMH to ORD on AA, then ORD to LHR on B.A. metal (and on to ATH) in Business using my son's SWU and AA miles. I do not have AA Lounge pass.

Can I get into AA Lounge in ORD (4 1/2 hour layover) - Regular or Flagship ? Any recommendations?

Thanks. Mike C

JJeffrey

Yep, no problem to access any of the Admirals Clubs or the Flagship Lounge at ORD. Obviously the Flagship Lounge is nicest, go there.

wrp96

You'll be rebooked on the next flight with available seats and can standby for earlier flights.

If you miss your connection, stand in line to talk to a customer service agent to get reaccommodated AND call AA customer service to see which one can help you first.
Yes it would be possible for the agent to remove the "shuttle" legs from the trip because of the IRROPs, but don't just skip those legs otherwise you're entire reservation would be cancelled. Make sure to get this all taken care of before you leave DFW.
Same answer as plan B

Basically whatever option you choose, make sure it is taken care of before you leave DFW. Unless your originating flight is extremely late departing CLT, there's nothing you can do or need to do before you get to DFW and have missed the flight. At that point, it's recommended to use all options you have have to get where you need to go.

mulderxcoltrane

Hi everyone,

Planning a big trip to Europe next year for our family and the flights alone (on American) look to be around $5000.
I'd like to get a rewards card that could possible lead to some upgrade options for the longhaul flights.
Is there a way to know how many points it would typically "cost" to upgrade a certain leg from economy to premium economy?

TIA

chickenorfish

Hi,

Long time reader, first time poster.

Have a couple of questions that I'm struggling to find answers to and any help would be great!

I'm AA Platinum Pro, which I believe makes me OneWorld Emerald. I need to book two return flights using OneWorld airlines; a BA flight from Denver to London and a Qatar/BA from London to Kilimanjaro.

Questions are:
- Is it best to book these flights on the respective airline website and enter my AAadvantage details when asked? Or to book everything on AA instead (if that's even possible?)
- Regarding BA and seat charges, does OneWorld Emerald allow me to get seats for free? Or is that wishful thinking?
- Anything else I should consider regarding lounges, etc?

Thanks in advance!

JJeffrey

Currently there's no way to upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy using miles. To and from Europe you can upgrade from Economy to Business for 25k miles + $350 (per person, each way).

However AA has been pretty aggressive lately with offering "buy up" type offers to upgrade after tickets are purchased. Once you buy the tickets, keep an eye on your reservation (both on aa.com, and the AA app) there will probably be an offer to upgrade to PE and/or business for $X. The amount will change over time.

HGH

So much useful info in your reply - thank you! Did not know about standing by for an earlier flight or the need to fix it while still at the airport. I kinda thought as long as I reached someone before the rescheduled flight, we'd be safe. Hopefully this info won't be needed this trip, but I know it will be used at some point and appreciate the help.

JJeffrey

Welcome to FT. The DEN-LHR roundtrip can be booked with AA or BA, however the LHR-Kilimanjaro most likely will not be available to be booked through AA (unless it's all one ticket with the DEN-LHR flight). It really doesn't make much difference however you will earn miles and Loyalty Points at different rates depending on whether you book AA flight numbers or the BA/QR flight numbers.

For seating, yes as a PLT Pro (Emerald) you get free seat selection on BA.

For lounges, at DEN you can access the AA Admirals Club. At LHR this will depend on whether you're flying to DOH on BA (T5) or QR (T4); Departing T5 on BA you can access the BA Galleries First Lounge, and departing T4 on QR there are 2 different QR lounges depending on whether you're in economy or business. Similar situation in DOH, if you're in economy there's 2-3 lounges you can access, if in business then the QR Al Mourjan Business lounge will be the best choice. The oneworld website has details.

gamefreakgcb

Hey all!

I've held AA Plat pro for the last 2 years which is now expiring Feb 2023.

I have 7000 loyalty points so far.

Does it make sense to get AA status if I'm not a frequent flyer?

guv1976

Probably not.

patriotPHL1

One attempt to bump up to see if any insight. Thanks.