[NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (flame free)
Mar 3, 2018, 9:16 pm
#2026
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Des Moines, IA, United States
Posts: 246
Struggling to search for Oneworld options
I'm new to booking international travel within Oneworld. I've been only domestic to date. I'm going to be doing DSM to AMD 4x per year. I want to do the entire trip with Oneworld partners. I'll have to travel economy. I'm struggling with the right place to search for and book this travel.
Unless I'm doing something wrong, the AA website does not show any 2-stop options for DSM to AMD. It only shows 3-stop options. Even for flights involving QR, it shows only DSM - ORD - LHR - DOH - AMD that I can find.
However, on QR's website, it shows 2-stop options that are DSM - ORD - DOH - AMD. Then I've tried the Oneworld flight search and it only shows 1 option for DSM - AMD which is DSM - DFW - DOH - AMD - a flight that neither AA's or QR's website shows. Google Flights show no Oneworld options for DSM - AMD at all. Expedia seems to show all of the options.
Why am I getting such different results? What is the recommended method of seeing the most choices / fares for Oneworld international and booking it? I need the miles to end up in my AA account and count towards my AA status.
Last question, for economy, is QR a good choice for this route? My main priority is comfort, as much as possible in economy.
Unless I'm doing something wrong, the AA website does not show any 2-stop options for DSM to AMD. It only shows 3-stop options. Even for flights involving QR, it shows only DSM - ORD - LHR - DOH - AMD that I can find.
However, on QR's website, it shows 2-stop options that are DSM - ORD - DOH - AMD. Then I've tried the Oneworld flight search and it only shows 1 option for DSM - AMD which is DSM - DFW - DOH - AMD - a flight that neither AA's or QR's website shows. Google Flights show no Oneworld options for DSM - AMD at all. Expedia seems to show all of the options.
Why am I getting such different results? What is the recommended method of seeing the most choices / fares for Oneworld international and booking it? I need the miles to end up in my AA account and count towards my AA status.
Last question, for economy, is QR a good choice for this route? My main priority is comfort, as much as possible in economy.
Mar 3, 2018, 10:47 pm
#2027
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: country Western Australia
Programs: QF SG(LTS) - AA LTG(1MM)
Posts: 2,771
By all means use whichever airline website that provides you with the best routing/pricing outcome. Simply put your airline and frequent flyer number in place as part of the ticketing process.
Having said that you need to have completed your homework on what fare classes (in economy) will properly credit to your desired program. There are a couple of serious "gotchas" (eg. anything below H class on CX does not earn on AA) As well google flights might very well present alternative flight options that you might not have considered. Consider starting from ORD and paying for DSM-ORD separately.
I don't remember any serious issues with QR when I flew DOH-HKG in the Y cabin.... I'll have more experience with QR's Y cabin in a couple of weeks. :-(
Happy wandering
Fred
Having said that you need to have completed your homework on what fare classes (in economy) will properly credit to your desired program. There are a couple of serious "gotchas" (eg. anything below H class on CX does not earn on AA) As well google flights might very well present alternative flight options that you might not have considered. Consider starting from ORD and paying for DSM-ORD separately.
I don't remember any serious issues with QR when I flew DOH-HKG in the Y cabin.... I'll have more experience with QR's Y cabin in a couple of weeks. :-(
Happy wandering
Fred
Mar 4, 2018, 7:50 am
#2028
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,437
Mar 4, 2018, 7:56 am
#2029
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Des Moines, IA, United States
Posts: 246
Thank you for the tip on ensuring that the fare class properly credits my AAdvantage account. On the AA partner section of the website, I see that there is a very reduced mile chart for any economy class less than Y. But then I'm confused by this note "Travel ticketed as an American Airlines marketed flight (booked as an AA flight number) and operated by Qatar will earn AAdvantage® award miles, Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) according to the American mileage accrual chart."
When I search ORD - DOH on the AA website and use the "American Airlines" filter for the flights, it shows me no options. If I search for ORD - DEL or ORD - BOM then it does show me flights on BA through LHR. Both flights have an AA flight number and say "Operated by British Airways." So in that case, it seems like it meets the requirement to get full AA miles credit instead of the drastically reduced mileage credit if they were BA-ticketed and marketed flights. Am I catching on to how this works? Does this mean that there is no QR flights that are ticketed and marketed as an AA flight, so no way to earn full AA mileage credit flying QR?
It seems like the only way that I can do this and get the most flights with the most AA credit is to book RT DSM - ORD, RT ORD -BOM and RT BOM-AMD as separate tickets. Am I asking for trouble by doing that in BOM?
When I search ORD - DOH on the AA website and use the "American Airlines" filter for the flights, it shows me no options. If I search for ORD - DEL or ORD - BOM then it does show me flights on BA through LHR. Both flights have an AA flight number and say "Operated by British Airways." So in that case, it seems like it meets the requirement to get full AA miles credit instead of the drastically reduced mileage credit if they were BA-ticketed and marketed flights. Am I catching on to how this works? Does this mean that there is no QR flights that are ticketed and marketed as an AA flight, so no way to earn full AA mileage credit flying QR?
It seems like the only way that I can do this and get the most flights with the most AA credit is to book RT DSM - ORD, RT ORD -BOM and RT BOM-AMD as separate tickets. Am I asking for trouble by doing that in BOM?
By all means use whichever airline website that provides you with the best routing/pricing outcome. Simply put your airline and frequent flyer number in place as part of the ticketing process.
Having said that you need to have completed your homework on what fare classes (in economy) will properly credit to your desired program. There are a couple of serious "gotchas" (eg. anything below H class on CX does not earn on AA) As well google flights might very well present alternative flight options that you might not have considered. Consider starting from ORD and paying for DSM-ORD separately.
I don't remember any serious issues with QR when I flew DOH-HKG in the Y cabin.... I'll have more experience with QR's Y cabin in a couple of weeks. :-(
Happy wandering
Fred
Having said that you need to have completed your homework on what fare classes (in economy) will properly credit to your desired program. There are a couple of serious "gotchas" (eg. anything below H class on CX does not earn on AA) As well google flights might very well present alternative flight options that you might not have considered. Consider starting from ORD and paying for DSM-ORD separately.
I don't remember any serious issues with QR when I flew DOH-HKG in the Y cabin.... I'll have more experience with QR's Y cabin in a couple of weeks. :-(
Happy wandering
Fred
Mar 4, 2018, 10:54 am
#2030
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,437
Thank you for the tip on ensuring that the fare class properly credits my AAdvantage account. On the AA partner section of the website, I see that there is a very reduced mile chart for any economy class less than Y. But then I'm confused by this note "Travel ticketed as an American Airlines marketed flight (booked as an AA flight number) and operated by Qatar will earn AAdvantage® award miles, Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) according to the American mileage accrual chart."
When I search ORD - DOH on the AA website and use the "American Airlines" filter for the flights, it shows me no options. If I search for ORD - DEL or ORD - BOM then it does show me flights on BA through LHR. Both flights have an AA flight number and say "Operated by British Airways." So in that case, it seems like it meets the requirement to get full AA miles credit instead of the drastically reduced mileage credit if they were BA-ticketed and marketed flights. Am I catching on to how this works? Does this mean that there is no QR flights that are ticketed and marketed as an AA flight, so no way to earn full AA mileage credit flying QR?
It seems like the only way that I can do this and get the most flights with the most AA credit is to book RT DSM - ORD, RT ORD -BOM and RT BOM-AMD as separate tickets. Am I asking for trouble by doing that in BOM?
When I search ORD - DOH on the AA website and use the "American Airlines" filter for the flights, it shows me no options. If I search for ORD - DEL or ORD - BOM then it does show me flights on BA through LHR. Both flights have an AA flight number and say "Operated by British Airways." So in that case, it seems like it meets the requirement to get full AA miles credit instead of the drastically reduced mileage credit if they were BA-ticketed and marketed flights. Am I catching on to how this works? Does this mean that there is no QR flights that are ticketed and marketed as an AA flight, so no way to earn full AA mileage credit flying QR?
It seems like the only way that I can do this and get the most flights with the most AA credit is to book RT DSM - ORD, RT ORD -BOM and RT BOM-AMD as separate tickets. Am I asking for trouble by doing that in BOM?
2. I believe AA will cut most if not all code-shares on QR metals eff. 25MAR so I think it would be quite unlikely to fly QR miles and earn according to the AA table afterwards.
3. As QR is the only oneworld carrier serving AMD and after the end of this month there is no more one-stop solution on AA code to fly from DSM to DOH, I believe it is true that if you want to stick with AA code as much as possible you would need to transit three times on the way to AMD.
4. If you were to buy separate tickets I strongly urge you to find a traditional travel agent who can put all flights under one PNR so bags can be through checked and there is some (though not guaranteed) protection in case there's a misconnection.
EDIT: Realised one thing. As BA is suspending operation to DOH from 25MAR to 30JUN, there is no AA-code option even to DOH. If you buy a ticket to BOM and take a separate flight to AMD, it will not be a oneworld flight.
Last edited by ernestnywang; Mar 4, 2018 at 11:05 am
Mar 4, 2018, 11:27 am
#2031
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,437
I was able to find the below itinerary but not on AA.com. You might need to look for an OTA or a traditional TA who can issue this. Sure, it involves 3 transits each way, but get you pretty close to AMD on AA code. You can even earn a little bit of RDM on the EY flight.
Code:
1 AA3999O 10APR 2 DSMORD*SS1 1425 1546 /DCAA /E
OPERATED BY ENVOY AIR AS AMERICAN EAGLE
2 AA 86O 10APR 2 ORDLHR*SS1 1700 0650 11APR 3 /DCAA /E
3 AA6661O 11APR 3 LHRDEL*SS1 1015 2325 /DCAA /E
OPERATED BY BRITISH AIRWAYS
4 AI 19T 12APR 4 DELAMD SS1 0500 0630 /DCAI /E
5 EY 227V 17APR 2 AMDAUH SS1 2130 2310 /DCEY /E
6 AA6684Q 18APR 3 AUHLHR*SS1 0150 0630 /DCAA /E
OPERATED BY BRITISH AIRWAYS
7 AA 47Q 18APR 3 LHRORD*SS1 0840 1120 /DCAA /E
8 AA5478Q 18APR 3 ORDDSM*SS1 1330 1445 /DCAA /E
OPERATED BY PSA AIRLINES AS AMERICAN EAGLE
WPMUSD«
PSGR TYPE ADT - 01
CXR RES DATE FARE BASIS NVB NVA BG
DSM
XCHI AA O 10APR OLE7F3G1 10APR 10APR 01P
XLON AA O 10APR OLE7F3G1 10APR 10APR 01P
XDEL AA O 11APR OLE7F3G1 11APR 11APR 01P
AMD AI T 12APR QLN7MZN9 12APR 12APR 01P
XAUH EY V 17APR QLN7MZN9 17APR 17APR 01P
XLON AA Q 18APR QLN7MZN9 18APR 18APR 01P
XCHI AA Q 18APR QLN7MZN9 18APR 18APR 01P
DSM AA Q 18APR QLN7MZN9 18APR 18APR 01P
FARE USD 579.00
TAX USD 36.60US USD 5.65YC USD 645.26XT
TOTAL USD 1266.51
ADT-01 OLE7F3G1 QLN7MZN9
DSM AA X/CHI AA X/LON AA DEL M209.50AI AMD EY X/AUH AA X/LON
AA X/CHI AA DSM M DSMAMD319.50 1S50.00NUC579.00END ROE1.00
XT USD7.00XY USD3.96XA USD11.20AY USD93.00UB USD6.10WO
XT USD7.50IN USD1.40ZR USD9.50F6 USD501.10YR USD4.50XFORD4.5
ENDOS*SEG1/2/3*NONREF/FEE ON CHANGE
ENDOS*SEG4/5/6/7/8*NONREF AFTER DEPARTURE/RESTRICTIONS APPLY
TKT/TL06MAR18/2359
ATTN*VALIDATING CARRIER - AA ‡
Mar 4, 2018, 11:37 am
#2032
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Des Moines, IA, United States
Posts: 246
Appreciate that input. This route doesn't seem easy in Oneworld. I may need to go Star Alliance where the entire itinerary is bookable at UA.com. I can even book AMD to VTZ on UA which I also have to do on these same trips.
I guess the big decision is do I want to go Oneworld to LHR and split the trip to BOM in half or go direct ORD to BOM on Star Alliance. I've got to do BOM to AMD on either alliance. I'm leading towards Star Alliance at this point where everything up to BOM is UA and one less stop.
I guess the big decision is do I want to go Oneworld to LHR and split the trip to BOM in half or go direct ORD to BOM on Star Alliance. I've got to do BOM to AMD on either alliance. I'm leading towards Star Alliance at this point where everything up to BOM is UA and one less stop.
Mar 5, 2018, 10:23 am
#2033
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: DFW (Highland Village)
Programs: AA Lifetime GLD, SPG Lifetime GLD
Posts: 384
I'm flying an AA marketed, but BA flight (DFW-LHR) on Friday.
I believe that I must check-in with BA and use the BA ticket counters in terminal D to check my luggage --- is that correct?
Assuming that is correct, when do the BA ticket counters open in terminal D?
I believe that I must check-in with BA and use the BA ticket counters in terminal D to check my luggage --- is that correct?
Assuming that is correct, when do the BA ticket counters open in terminal D?
Mar 5, 2018, 12:43 pm
#2034
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
2. No idea. But check-in opening 3hrs before flight is common.
Mar 5, 2018, 1:09 pm
#2035
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: DFW (Highland Village)
Programs: AA Lifetime GLD, SPG Lifetime GLD
Posts: 384
I asked DFW Twitter and they said "no idea", ask BA
I asked BA Twitter and their very specific response was 2-3 hours before departure
I've sent a follow-up asking if BA Twitter can nail down an actual ticket agent opening time, which I assume they have. I might just give up and actually use the phone (gasp) and call.
I asked BA Twitter and their very specific response was 2-3 hours before departure
I've sent a follow-up asking if BA Twitter can nail down an actual ticket agent opening time, which I assume they have. I might just give up and actually use the phone (gasp) and call.
Mar 5, 2018, 3:02 pm
#2036
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DFW or GOT or...
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott GFL
Posts: 819
I asked DFW Twitter and they said "no idea", ask BA
I asked BA Twitter and their very specific response was 2-3 hours before departure
I've sent a follow-up asking if BA Twitter can nail down an actual ticket agent opening time, which I assume they have. I might just give up and actually use the phone (gasp) and call.
I asked BA Twitter and their very specific response was 2-3 hours before departure
I've sent a follow-up asking if BA Twitter can nail down an actual ticket agent opening time, which I assume they have. I might just give up and actually use the phone (gasp) and call.
Mar 7, 2018, 8:40 am
#2037
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 4
Newbie- Using aeroplan on Star Alliance Partners- can I book directly?
HI All
I am trying to find First class /business class flights to South Pacific (Australia/New Zealand/ Fiji...) Aeroplan searchs are not productive.
I did sign up for ANA and found flights under the Star Alliance section.
Can I book flights via ANA using my Aeroplan?
or do I call Aeroplan and say that ANA has seats available for points??
How does this work when I find point seats available on Star Alliance partner websites??
Sorry for the silly question. I am trying to figure out how to do better searches on partner airlines.
Thanks for your patience!
N:-)
I am trying to find First class /business class flights to South Pacific (Australia/New Zealand/ Fiji...) Aeroplan searchs are not productive.
I did sign up for ANA and found flights under the Star Alliance section.
Can I book flights via ANA using my Aeroplan?
or do I call Aeroplan and say that ANA has seats available for points??
How does this work when I find point seats available on Star Alliance partner websites??
Sorry for the silly question. I am trying to figure out how to do better searches on partner airlines.
Thanks for your patience!
N:-)
Mar 7, 2018, 9:02 am
#2038
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,464
HI All
I am trying to find First class /business class flights to South Pacific (Australia/New Zealand/ Fiji...) Aeroplan searchs are not productive.
I did sign up for ANA and found flights under the Star Alliance section.
Can I book flights via ANA using my Aeroplan?
or do I call Aeroplan and say that ANA has seats available for points??
How does this work when I find point seats available on Star Alliance partner websites??
Sorry for the silly question. I am trying to figure out how to do better searches on partner airlines.
Thanks for your patience!
N:-)
I am trying to find First class /business class flights to South Pacific (Australia/New Zealand/ Fiji...) Aeroplan searchs are not productive.
I did sign up for ANA and found flights under the Star Alliance section.
Can I book flights via ANA using my Aeroplan?
or do I call Aeroplan and say that ANA has seats available for points??
How does this work when I find point seats available on Star Alliance partner websites??
Sorry for the silly question. I am trying to figure out how to do better searches on partner airlines.
Thanks for your patience!
N:-)
This forum is to do with the Oneworld Alliance
But your questions are concerning the Star Alliance
And so they are probably better asked in the Star Alliance forum
Mar 7, 2018, 12:26 pm
#2039
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
I am trying to find First class /business class flights to South Pacific (Australia/New Zealand/ Fiji...) Aeroplan searches are not productive.
I did sign up for ANA and found flights under the Star Alliance section.
Can I book flights via ANA using my Aeroplan?
Or do I call Aeroplan and say that ANA has seats available for points??
How does this work when I find point seats available on Star Alliance partner websites??
Sorry for the silly question. I am trying to figure out how to do better searches on partner airlines.
I did sign up for ANA and found flights under the Star Alliance section.
Can I book flights via ANA using my Aeroplan?
Or do I call Aeroplan and say that ANA has seats available for points??
How does this work when I find point seats available on Star Alliance partner websites??
Sorry for the silly question. I am trying to figure out how to do better searches on partner airlines.
When using AC ff miles you deal only with Air Canada/Aeroplan.
Premium cabin awards USA/Canada to/from Australia NZ South Pacific are very hard to find. Need to flexible with route, date & destination/arrival cities.
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia (not from all airports to all airports)
- American Airlines AA (LAX - SYD) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner)
- Air Canada AC (YYR – SYD, BNE, MEL 1 Dec 2017 to 1 Feb 2018) [Star Alliance]
- Air New Zealand NZ (LAX SFO IAH YVR via AKL) [Star Alliance]
- Air Tahiti Nui TN (LAX via Tahiti. Last segments on codeshares) (AA & DL partner)
- Delta DL (LAX – SYD) (VA & AS partner) [Skyteam Alliance]
- Fiji Airways FJ (LAX SFO HNL – BNE SYD MEL ADL via Fiji) (QF, AA & AS partner)
- Hawaiian HA (HNL – BNE SYD) (AA & VA partner)
- Jetstar JQ JQ (HNL – SYD BNE)
- Qantas QF (LAX SFO JFK DFW HNL YVR*– BNE SYD MEL) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner) (MEL SFO from 1st Sept 2018) {* seasonal}
- United UA (LAX SFO IAH*– SYD MEL, IAH-SYD ) [Star Alliance] (*IAH-SYD from 18 Jan 2018)
- Virgin Australia VA (LAX – BNE SYD MEL) (codeshares with AC*) (Delta & AC** partner) [*= some routes in 2017, ** ffp late 2017(may not have happened)]
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Mar 7, 2018 at 12:49 pm
