Topic Wiki

In general, search on AA.com for award availability.

BA
If you want to book a flight with Avios, it is known from Dan's Knowledgebase that BA.com doesn't show availability very well, but some flights definitely are searchable there. Nonetheless, it's easier to just search AA.com, and if you find a MileSAAver availability, check BA.com to see if it shows up there, too. If it does, book it there. If it doesn't, you can always call up BA and reference the flight you found. Note that there is usually a very long hold time before BA picks up, and they will charge a phone booking fee. If the flight was unsearchable on BA.com, try fighting that fee, but YMMV.

IB
IB availability will not show up on AA.com You can call AA to find IB availability, but it's hard without being able to browse dates and have to ask the rep to check flights over the phone. Searching on Qantas.com will show IB flights - supposedly if they appear there, they can then be booked by calling AA.

OneWorld Explorer [OWE] The OWE has officially been cancelled [4/8/14] as part of the latest AA no-warning changing to its award program. Here's what the OWE looked like:
This is an around-the-world [RTW] award that is calculated not by the mileage cost of specific flights, but rather by the actual distance travelled on your trip. It is especially valuable for flying business class, as the difference in miles needed between coach and business is not very great on longer trips. See this chart to see the different tiers of how many miles it costs to travel different distances. You can take up to 16 segments on a trip, but there are MANY rules to follow when booking such an award.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time when planning this trip. (Personally [@Yehuda], it took 2 months with a few weeks of break in the middle from frustration.) Availability changes everyday, so you need to constantly check back to see if flights you needed are now available. It will also likely require changing your itinerary/order of stops numerous times. An itinerary can be held for 5 days (and can be extended past that on Day 5, if they are willing to rebook each flight for you, getting you another 5 days), but itineraries with IB flights can usually only be held for 24 hours. You will find that you will have to use hub airports since you're limited to OW partners. You will not find a flight from CDG-FCO without either stopping off in LON or MAD - both of which are out of the way. It's unfortunate, as it adds unnecessary distance miles to your trip, but it can be done. Remember that BA flights have high YQ, IB/AB have semi-high YQ, US/AA have very little YQ. (Unsure about other airlines, as my trip was TLV-Europe-NYC, so those were the only airline I had to work with.) You should check flight availability, again, on AA.com but the ticket must be booked on the phone (and they will charge a $25 phone booking fee, but again, try to fight it since this ticket cannot be booked online - although, honestly, by the time you've ticketed, they will likely have helped you out with much more than $25 worth of time). Technically, you can book it with any OW partner, but the odds are you probably only have enough AA miles to book this trip. AA reps definitely know about this award, although most have never booked it before. You will find that after calling so many times, you'll know more about the rules than they do. Once you have your perfect itinerary, they will have to send it to their rate desk to price it out. This can take ~24 hours. Because it takes time, if you have IB flights on the itinerary, they will make sure IB allows the flights to be held for longer than 24 hours, but confirm this with the rep before you hang up. Once it's priced out, you can pay for it. You can use 2 or more AA accounts to pay for it, but they will require each account to have enough miles to pay for 1 ticket. (e.g. If it costs 80K pax and you have 2 pax, they won't ask you to have 1 account with 160K in it, but they will require 2 accounts with at least 80K in each.)

Feel free to contact @Yehuda with any questions regarding the OWE.

« Last edited by AJK on July 27, 2014, 04:45:43 PM »

Author Topic: One World Award Search Tips  (Read 591981 times)

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25419
  • Total likes: 721
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #380 on: July 20, 2014, 12:08:45 AM »
No. I would have answered it as one of the ways in my previous post if it was possible.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline schneury

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 541
  • Total likes: 30
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #381 on: July 20, 2014, 07:57:26 AM »
Thanks
Are there any programs that transfer to westjet?

Offline jaywhy

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 3768
  • Total likes: 68
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #382 on: July 22, 2014, 04:36:48 PM »
AA.com showing Niki availability. Is this new?
I don't think I've ever seen it before.

Offline ilherman

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 8935
  • Total likes: 227
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #383 on: July 22, 2014, 04:42:49 PM »
AA.com showing Niki availability. Is this new?
I don't think I've ever seen it before.
It's not new. At least, I checked about 3 months ago and they were showing it.
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline chucksterace

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 6880
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 40
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • LYNX IT Consulting
  • Location: Chicago, Jerusalem
  • Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA Premier 1K; ; LY Plat; Hyatt Platinum; Hertz President's Circle; Avis President's Club
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #384 on: July 22, 2014, 04:51:41 PM »
It's not new. At least, I checked about 3 months ago and they were showing it.

I saw a few months ago
You may not hold me responsible for any actions taken that were recommended from my account or username.

Offline jaywhy

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2012
  • Posts: 3768
  • Total likes: 68
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #385 on: July 22, 2014, 04:55:00 PM »
Cool.

Offline davidd75

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 3875
  • Total likes: 120
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: new jersey
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #386 on: July 24, 2014, 09:37:08 AM »
Anyway to get $35 fee waived when booking El-Al flights via AA miles?

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #387 on: July 24, 2014, 01:43:34 PM »
whats the best way to search From tlv to Kenya?

Offline MEIR613

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 4593
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #388 on: July 24, 2014, 01:52:40 PM »
Anyway to get $35 fee waived when booking El-Al flights via AA miles?
I think I could retire if someone would pay me a penny every time this question was asked.

Offline davidd75

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 3875
  • Total likes: 120
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: new jersey
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #389 on: July 24, 2014, 03:46:09 PM »
I think I could retire if someone would pay me a penny every time this question was asked.

is that a no?

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #390 on: July 27, 2014, 02:49:27 PM »
Any workarounds on AA for $75 fee for within 21 days?

Offline MEIR613

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 4593
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #391 on: July 27, 2014, 03:45:19 PM »
Any workarounds on AA for $75 fee for within 21 days?
I think I could retire if someone would pay me a penny every time this question was asked.

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #392 on: July 27, 2014, 03:50:02 PM »
Anyway to get $35 fee waived when booking El-Al flights via AA miles?

Any workarounds on AA for $75 fee for within 21 days?
I didn't realize this is the same question. And I still don't see how it is

Offline MEIR613

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 4593
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #393 on: July 27, 2014, 03:57:18 PM »
I didn't realize this is the same question. And I still don't see how it is
It's not, but both questions were asked many many times here.

Offline Emkay

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 14295
  • Total likes: 376
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Where I ought to be
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #394 on: July 27, 2014, 04:05:26 PM »
It's not, but both questions were asked many many times here.
If it bothers you a lot you can add it to the wiki

Offline nobiggy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2341
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: forums
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #395 on: July 27, 2014, 05:38:38 PM »
in this link
 http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/12271
 dan says the following

 Typically AA only allows you to hold an award ticket for 5 days but I managed to hold the same award ticket for an entire month which allowed me to optimize the ticket as flights became available.

Dan or someone can you give me a tip how to do that I have a buisness ticket on hold and i need more than 5 days before i decide.


Offline Ez

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 842
  • Total likes: 11
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #396 on: July 27, 2014, 06:56:18 PM »
in this link
 http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/12271
 dan says the following

 Typically AA only allows you to hold an award ticket for 5 days but I managed to hold the same award ticket for an entire month which allowed me to optimize the ticket as flights became available.

Dan or someone can you give me a tip how to do that I have a buisness ticket on hold and i need more than 5 days before i decide.
Make any small change?
Adding an infant etc.?

Offline nobiggy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2341
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: forums
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #397 on: July 27, 2014, 07:04:22 PM »
Make any small change?
Adding an infant etc.?

I'm not married. Can u tell me some ideas?

Offline ilherman

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 8935
  • Total likes: 227
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #398 on: July 27, 2014, 10:56:45 PM »
I'm not married. Can u tell me some ideas?
Add my child. Abraham Minsk, 03/07/2013.
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline nobiggy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 2341
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
  • Location: forums
Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #399 on: July 27, 2014, 11:02:21 PM »
Add my child. Abraham Minsk, 03/07/2013.

ok ill make one up i get the point. but that automaticlly will extend it another 5 days? also there is no seats left in business so even if i place him in economy it will extend? then i take away and add every 5 days?