Awards availability
Mar 30, 2011 | 11:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: Marriott lifetime platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 43
Awards availability
Most of my miles are with BA, also some with AA. Searching for awards on other OW carriers seems unduly difficult. I'm looking for 2 business or first tickets from NYC to SYD next Feb. A search on BA shows availability in Qantas Y class via LAX (why does this come up when I'm specifically searching for C or F?) but no mention, for example, of CX via HKG which would actually be my preferred route, nor any other partner airlines.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a detailed online search? I know I can call BA but I find them very user unfriendly on the phone ... and there is usually a long hold time. Thanks.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a detailed online search? I know I can call BA but I find them very user unfriendly on the phone ... and there is usually a long hold time. Thanks.
Mar 30, 2011 | 12:09 pm
#2
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,497
Most of my miles are with BA, also some with AA. Searching for awards on other OW carriers seems unduly difficult. I'm looking for 2 business or first tickets from NYC to SYD next Feb. A search on BA shows availability in Qantas Y class via LAX (why does this come up when I'm specifically searching for C or F?) but no mention, for example, of CX via HKG which would actually be my preferred route, nor any other partner airlines.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a detailed online search? I know I can call BA but I find them very user unfriendly on the phone ... and there is usually a long hold time. Thanks.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a detailed online search? I know I can call BA but I find them very user unfriendly on the phone ... and there is usually a long hold time. Thanks.
Mar 30, 2011 | 6:12 pm
#3
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF LTG / P1 , LH LT SEN / HON, OZ LT Diamond +, Marriott LT PT, HH Diamond,
Posts: 15,137
Most of my miles are with BA, also some with AA. Searching for awards on other OW carriers seems unduly difficult. I'm looking for 2 business or first tickets from NYC to SYD next Feb. A search on BA shows availability in Qantas Y class via LAX (why does this come up when I'm specifically searching for C or F?) but no mention, for example, of CX via HKG which would actually be my preferred route, nor any other partner airlines.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a detailed online search? I know I can call BA but I find them very user unfriendly on the phone ... and there is usually a long hold time. Thanks.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a detailed online search? I know I can call BA but I find them very user unfriendly on the phone ... and there is usually a long hold time. Thanks.
Mar 30, 2011 | 6:44 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K
Posts: 2,574
Mar 30, 2011 | 7:40 pm
#5
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,497
Not sure with BA miles, but AA partner awards require USA-Oz to be via the Pacific, and connecting via Asia 2 (HKG) is not allowed. If AA miles are to be used, you could route via Europe using an AA Oneworld award, but at a higher mileage cost. Routing via HKG on an AA partner award would require 2 awards, NA > Asia 2 and Asia 2 > Oz.
My understanding is that redemption for BA/QF premium seats on the Kangaroo route during the southern summer is even harder than US < > Oz at the same time. Of course I might be wrong on that.
Mar 30, 2011 | 8:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K
Posts: 2,574
This has been my experience. There are only two flights on BA between now and the end of February with any J award availability, for example.
Apr 1, 2011 | 4:13 am
#7
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF LTG / P1 , LH LT SEN / HON, OZ LT Diamond +, Marriott LT PT, HH Diamond,
Posts: 15,137
Of course you can. But you can't do it on QF metal anymore. And while this AA flight will have the best domestic F AA has to offer, it is still only domestic F.