Reward Flights

[GeorgeTravels]

Hi, I am looking to use Avios on a reward flight from LGA to DCA (and back) in September. However, when I click on ‘Book a Flight with Avios’ and enter the details, hardly any flights appear. However, when I look on American Airlines website, there are many flights a day, of which most don’t appear on BA’s ‘Book a Flight with Avios’ tool. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Why are all American Airlines flights not appearing on the ‘Book with Avios’ tool? Can I not use my Avios on any American Airlines flight through BA’s website using Avios? Thanks.

[masaccio]

GeorgeTravels wrote:

Hi, I am looking to use Avios on a reward flight from LGA to DCA (and back) in September. However, when I click on ‘Book a Flight with Avios’ and enter the details, hardly any flights appear. However, when I look on American Airlines website, there are many flights a day, of which most don’t appear on BA’s ‘Book a Flight with Avios’ tool. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Why are all American Airlines flights not appearing on the ‘Book with Avios’ tool? Can I not use my Avios on any American Airlines flight through BA’s website using Avios? Thanks.

Was it a ‘web special’? You can’t book those. I had the same thing for MIA-RTB but a couple of months later was able to book as the web special fares had disappeared.

[NorthernLass]

AA domestic award flights get snapped up quickly so at this point you need to be checking daily to see if any cancellations appear. I’ve managed to book similar routes 1/2 months out but it depends if you can leave it that long. I think you get more availability showing on the AA website because they don’t release the same seats to BA. Are there any alternatives to LGA or DCA?

[Richie]

It seems BA automatically expands the search to NYC-WAS flights.

[ChrisC]

Yes you can use avios for AA flights but BA can only sell you AAsaver flights and no other type of reward.

@Rob – this question is coming up more and more so worth an article of its own?