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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 592033 times)

Offline HolyNyc

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #460 on: September 23, 2014, 07:58:26 AM »
Even if it works, which is rarely, what's the point? You have to usually repeat all the info again when the agent picks up.

One of my biggest pet peeves; if the automated line asks for it, it should be relayed to the agent!
they say fake it on till you make it, seems like the big companies are still doing it😄

Offline ilherman

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #461 on: September 23, 2014, 10:00:15 AM »
Sry for my delay in responding, but I needed a few days to calm down after your flippant disrespectful comments.

I meant flying LY to LAX and then backtracking to JFK.
My gosh. Drago, I was making a silly joke. You can't take jokes anymore?

I truly respect you and I know that you're here to help others. Sorry if you tooke it as an offense.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2014, 10:11:34 AM by ilherman »
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline Dan

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #462 on: September 23, 2014, 03:36:53 PM »
FYI: Cancelled TAM flights take roughly 18 hours to go back into inventory.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #463 on: September 23, 2014, 03:39:50 PM »
(Possibly silly) question - Can one use AA miles to book a flight to a European destination on LY via TLV (<24 hr stop over) - assuming LY serves that EUR destination?

Offline Dan

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #464 on: September 23, 2014, 03:41:25 PM »
No, invalid routing.
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Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #465 on: September 23, 2014, 03:42:00 PM »

Offline jaywhy

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #466 on: September 23, 2014, 03:48:22 PM »
FYI: Cancelled TAM flights take roughly 18 hours to go back into inventory.
Cancelled holds or cancelled bookings?
My holds went back instantly.

Offline Dan

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #467 on: September 23, 2014, 03:50:00 PM »
Cancelled holds or cancelled bookings?
My holds went back instantly.
Canceled hold.  Hold wasn't cancelled by me though, was systematically cancelled.
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Offline Drago

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #468 on: September 29, 2014, 11:01:01 AM »
My gosh. Drago, I was making a silly joke. You can't take jokes anymore?

I truly respect you and I know that you're here to help others. Sorry if you tooke it as an offense.
Just saw this
I was being sarcastic as I often am
Hence my use of fancy words like flippant

Offline nobiggy

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #469 on: October 01, 2014, 03:26:48 PM »
Don't know where this belongs.
Since BA has crazy fuel surcharges and the best way to leave Europe is on AB or EL. (or use UA miles)
I am probably going to take an EL flight from DUB-JFK. However I will fly Ryanair in to DUB which lands in terminal 1.
How long does it take to get from terminal 1 to terminal 2? is 1.5 hrs good enough? No checked luggage.

Offline Drago

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #470 on: October 02, 2014, 04:46:35 PM »
I'm trying to chk availability for HKG-HAN, but BA doesn't recognize HAN in their system.
I see that DragoAir has flights on this route, how would I go about checking? I'm unsure if the results of CXs website is what AA can book, and QF isnt helping me either.

Offline Dan

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #471 on: October 02, 2014, 04:49:50 PM »
I'm trying to chk availability for HKG-HAN, but BA doesn't recognize HAN in their system.
I see that DragoAir has flights on this route, how would I go about checking? I'm unsure if the results of CXs website is what AA can book, and QF isnt helping me either.
Date?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Drago

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #472 on: October 02, 2014, 04:52:08 PM »
Date?
I have flexibility, but am looking at going to HA on 1/20, and returning on 2/2.
Prefer J

Offline Dan

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #473 on: October 02, 2014, 04:53:52 PM »
[KVS Availability Tool 7.4.4/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code: [Select]
HKG  Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
HAN  Hanoi Noibai VN [VVNB]
TUE  20 Jan 2015 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
KA         297     HKG   08:45     HAN   09:50              CS1  YS0
KA         295     HKG   17:30     HAN   18:35              CS4  YS0

[KVS Availability Tool 7.4.4/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code: [Select]
HAN  Hanoi Noibai VN [VVNB]
HKG  Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
MON  02 Feb 2015 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
KA         296     HAN   10:45     HKG   13:35              CS0  YS9
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Drago

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #474 on: October 02, 2014, 04:54:57 PM »
[KVS Availability Tool 7.4.4/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code: [Select]
HKG  Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
HAN  Hanoi Noibai VN [VVNB]
TUE  20 Jan 2015 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
KA         297     HKG   08:45     HAN   09:50              CS1  YS0
KA         295     HKG   17:30     HAN   18:35              CS4  YS0

[KVS Availability Tool 7.4.4/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code: [Select]
HAN  Hanoi Noibai VN [VVNB]
HKG  Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
MON  02 Feb 2015 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
KA         296     HAN   10:45     HKG   13:35              CS0  YS9
Forgot to add I need 5 seats.
Since I can't read this, how many is it showing, and in which class?

Offline Dan

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #475 on: October 02, 2014, 04:55:18 PM »
[KVS Availability Tool 7.4.4/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code: [Select]
HAN  Hanoi Noibai VN [VVNB]
HKG  Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
SUN  01 Feb 2015 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
KA         294     HAN   19:30     HKG   22:20              CS6  YS9

[KVS Availability Tool 7.4.4/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code: [Select]
HAN  Hanoi Noibai VN [VVNB]
HKG  Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
TUE  03 Feb 2015 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
KA         296     HAN   10:45     HKG   13:35              CS2  YS9
KA         294     HAN   19:30     HKG   22:20              CS5  YS9
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Dan

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #476 on: October 02, 2014, 04:55:57 PM »
Forgot to add I need 5 seats.
Since I can't read this, how many is it showing, and in which class?
CS=J, YS=Y.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Drago

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #477 on: October 02, 2014, 04:59:33 PM »
Hmm, so I'd need to push off the dates by a day to ensure I can get 5 seats?
The outbound has to be the afternoon flight cuz we land at 2pm, and the return to HKG has to be the morning flight.
Not a big deal if we don't all have J for this leg.

Offline AJK

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #478 on: October 02, 2014, 06:03:17 PM »
[KVS Availability Tool 7.4.4/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code: [Select]
HAN  Hanoi Noibai VN [VVNB]
HKG  Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
SUN  01 Feb 2015 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
KA         294     HAN   19:30     HKG   22:20              CS6  YS9

[KVS Availability Tool 7.4.4/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code: [Select]
HAN  Hanoi Noibai VN [VVNB]
HKG  Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
TUE  03 Feb 2015 | 1 Seat

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
KA         296     HAN   10:45     HKG   13:35              CS2  YS9
KA         294     HAN   19:30     HKG   22:20              CS5  YS9

Did you power search for 5 seats or just go day by day?
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 Drago

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Re: One World Award Search Tips
« Reply #479 on: October 02, 2014, 11:39:36 PM »
Did you power search for 5 seats or just go day by day?
I can't figure out how to search this route.
I don't have KVS, and BA and QF aren't of any help.