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So I know I can log into BA and book avios flights with American Airlines for US domestic travel, and I am presuming I’ll get Silver benefits through OW Sapphire automatically, like lounges and extra checked luggage??
All the available flights on AA don’t show up on BA.com, any way you can force that? But the main issue is that flights are a standard 11000 avios one-way for example on BA, but on AA.com the same flight is 5k miles, same taxes. Is that just how it is, or is there any way to transfer avios to AA? I know it’s not an AMEX partner.
Thanks
Yes but only for the lower end of the rewards amount, you need to find on aa or Alaska website the lowest reward award for whatever flight you want and then can book. Although may be better via Qatar as BA recently put up their prices for avios but Qatar didn’t.
There’s no convenient way to get AA points in the UK apart from transfers from Marriott, or small amounts from sites like Erewards.
You could consider buying AA points in one of their sales if the numbers work.
As Annabh said, the only flights available to Avios partners are generally the low end rewards 5000-8000 and only non-stop flights. However AA and Qatar have a different relationship to BA/AA so you may occasionally find a sprinkling of extra flights, and also consider Jetblue awards via Qatar as well.
Thanks both, I checked Qatar and the flights seem a little less avios than BA, but more taxes, I may just stick to BA as I’m presuming it will be easier to have my Silver status appear and saves me transferring Avios across.
Do you think 2 free checked bags as per BA?? And lounge access with AA?You will get Silver benefits.
I’ve noticed award flights which were previously 7.5k avios now seem to be 11k! But you can’t argue with $6 taxes. Last time we flew AA domestic we got upgraded to their F seats, though as the route was flown by an American Eagle aircraft which looked like it was falling apart inside, it wasn’t that much of an upgrade!
So, I travel twice a year to the USA…
AA domestics get released something like T-330, rather than BA…
Silver perks…all good.
The AA lounges outside of the flagships are not great… Maybe spend 30-45 mins and no more… Chargeable bar outside of anything basic.
Self serve dispensers for coke etc…
On board, service aside (which like anything can be very variable) the seats on AA Domestic First are 2-2, rather than 3-3 at the back (other than the TransContinental flights).
I was looking at this earlier… related question. Do the economy awards with AA (Domestic) include checked baggage? and do they have similar flexibility to BA bookings regarding cancellations? (Assume no Oneworld status)
Yes re cancellations, no re baggage. You have to pay (I think it just went up to $40 per bag!) if have no OW status.
Yes re cancellations, no re baggage. You have to pay (I think it just went up to $40 per bag!) if have no OW status.
Thanks
Note BA silver also lets you pick seats in Main Cabin Extra which has a few inches extra legroom and free alcoholic drinks.
I recently just booked a US domestic via QR as it was a few thousand less avios but only USD $6 more than BA, well worth it. Issue is then getting my BA number on the booking instead of my QR one so my status benefits apply which is doable by entering the booking via Finnair. So cheaper but more hassle/effort required.
I recently just booked a US domestic via QR as it was a few thousand less avios but only USD $6 more than BA, well worth it. Issue is then getting my BA number on the booking instead of my QR one so my status benefits apply which is doable by entering the booking via Finnair. So cheaper but more hassle/effort required.
I tried on QR site partner awards flight but AA wouldnt come up? First was Alaskan? Cheers for any info? I can see the miles using the QR calculator but wanted to get the taxes. Specifically MEX-MIA.
I recently just booked a US domestic via QR as it was a few thousand less avios but only USD $6 more than BA, well worth it. Issue is then getting my BA number on the booking instead of my QR one so my status benefits apply which is doable by entering the booking via Finnair. So cheaper but more hassle/effort required.
Which route was it? I just did 2 dummy bookings for CLT-GCM in economy (I know not strictly a domestic), BA quoting 11k avios plus $4.40, QR quoting 18k avios plus $61.60!
I recently just booked a US domestic via QR as it was a few thousand less avios but only USD $6 more than BA, well worth it. Issue is then getting my BA number on the booking instead of my QR one so my status benefits apply which is doable by entering the booking via Finnair. So cheaper but more hassle/effort required.
I tried on QR site partner awards flight but AA wouldnt come up? First was Alaskan? Cheers for any info? I can see the miles using the QR calculator but wanted to get the taxes. Specifically MEX-MIA.
I noticed that as well, but I don’t think you need to select American – you just put the airport codes in and search – that worked for me. I don’t think BA is on the list either.
Apologies, I accidentally searched for 2 pax – so 9k avios each plus $30ish tax, still quite a bit more cash than via ba.com.
Yes, just enter airport codes. I’ve just tried MEX-MIA but it’s throwing up an error message now.
Apologies, I accidentally searched for 2 pax – so 9k avios each plus $30ish tax, still quite a bit more cash than via ba.com.
Yes, just enter airport codes. I’ve just tried MEX-MIA but it’s throwing up an error message now.
Yeah I got 11k plus $4.40 on BA and 9k plus $10 on Qatar for the 1000 miles trip like Houston to Charlotte or Dallas to Atlanta. Still better than cash so I think I’ll just suck up the 2k avios and use BA direct rather than the hassle of Qatar/Finnair!
You will get two bags each BUT only up to 23kg per bag. AA doesn’t do increased weight for elites
You will get two bags each BUT only up to 23kg per bag. AA doesn’t do increased weight for elites
Surely 50 pounds, The US “don’t do Kg”, and wo betide you if you’re 600g over 🙂
Apologies, I accidentally searched for 2 pax – so 9k avios each plus $30ish tax, still quite a bit more cash than via ba.com.
Yes, just enter airport codes. I’ve just tried MEX-MIA but it’s throwing up an error message now.
Apologies, my route was LAX – AUS
BA: 14k avois + £4.5
QR: 11k avios + $10.1QR was a no brainer imho. The additional amount for QR seems to be a tax which they’re either subject too BA/AA aren’t or they pass on which BA/AA don’t
For some strange reason I do not get AA in drop down menu to search for any award availability. Do I need to transfer Avios from BA to QR to search?
I searched in the app and it just required the 2 airports.
I searched in the app and it just required the 2 airports.
Thank you.
For some strange reason I do not get AA in drop down menu to search for any award availability. Do I need to transfer Avios from BA to QR to search?
Don’t use the flights with other partners tab, use the award flights tab and search as normal. AA,BA as well as CX (it seems) are integrated into the search function
Just noticed the savings on QR become more substantial for business / fist class bookings. First class jfk-lax is 64.5k + £45.5 on BA and 51.5k + $10.1 on Qatar.
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