Going ElAl with AA miles

[Dan]

I flew a few months ago from JFK to Toronto via AA, and then EL AL to Israel on Business - using AAdvantage points (the direct flight was not available).   No matter how hard I tried, I could not convince AA to let me take 3 suitcases of 70 lb from JFK to Toronto, even though I was able to prove to them that EL AL allows 3.   They said they go by their own computer - not what's on the web...

IME it goes by the rules of the first carrier, but it's YMMV.
AA does allow 3 bags now if you are in Business or First on AA.

[HesderGuy]

IME it goes by the rules of the first carrier, but it's YMMV.
AA does allow 3 bags now if you are in Business or First on AA.

The problem was that there was no room in Business on the JFK-Toronto leg, but AA told me that the luggage allowance is based on the main flight - which was the Toronto-TLV, and they did allow me 70 lb per suitcase - but only 2 of them per person.
 
At least it was easier to shlep 

[nis965]

How far in advance does one need to book one of these award tickets? (i.e.  for a mid December flight)