AA is making it easy than ever before to book oneworld partner award space. That’s devastating news to savvy travelers.
Last night, award space on the following partners appeared on AA.com for the first time:
- Cathay Pacific
- LATAM
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Sri Lankan Airlines
This morning, these partners no longer appear online, though I am guessing this is a temporary issue. Yesterday, these partners only showed up on shorter segments of connecting itineraries. All nonstop flights, whether shorthaul or longhaul, were not bookable online. Search for Los Angeles to Hong Kong and you’d find, for example, AA space to Tokyo and a connection on Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, but no award space on a non-stop flight, even if Cathay Pacific had made it available to partners.
How do you know Cathay Pacific has made award space available to partners? It shows up on the British Airways’ Executive Club award search website, which is my go-to place to search for oneworld awards. What you see on the British Airways website you should also be able to book using your American Airlines miles.
AA likely pulled back this increased online functionality until it can work out the kinks: it did the same thing when it introduced Iberia award availability online last year. I reached out to AA for official confirmation and just received the following reply:
Late yesterday, we incorrectly displayed award bookings for several of our partners on aa.com and they have since been removed. Making more award partners bookable on aa.com is something that our customers continually ask for, so please rest assured that we are working towards this.
My read: just be a bit more patient. It’s coming soon.
Why This Is Devastating News
What could be devastating about making it easier than ever before to book award space on four superb AA partners? In a word, competition. Most passengers believe that if the space does not appear on the website, it is not available. Most have no idea that AA has (well, had) several amazing partners that could only be booked over the phone. For those savvy travelers in the know, this presented an excellent source of additional award space. With these partners soon to be online, competition will be much fiercer for these seats, potentially diminishing the value of your miles.
JAL, The Last Holdout
At least JAL did not appear online last night. Maybe that redemption, along with Air Tahiti Nui, will remain telephone only. I hope so…
CONCLUSION
This website enhancement will help far more people than it will hurt. Even so, it represents a step back for those who knew they could call up and secure Cathay Pacific or Qatar Airways award space for the entire family over the phone. That will no longer be nearly as easy.
So, competition that benefits you is good, but competition that benefits everyone else is bad?
Pretty much.
I don’t mean to be flippant, but I’m not talking about me personally. Rather, I’m taking about all those members who knew this trick. It was a nice advantage to AA. With so many miles chasing so few seats, the quest for Cathay Pacific, Qatar, Malaysia Airlines, and Sri Lankan just got harder.
I think he clearly stated that the competition is bad for all of us that know our way around booking award flights with various partners that do not show up in the AA award search. More people finding these flights and booking them means less space for the savvy award flyer.
Yeah, Christian, not liking the attitude of this story. As a flyer with limited experience, I’m supposed to feel sorry for some guy who works the backdoor system to score seats, seats which I deserve as much as anyone.
Reminds me of the bloggers who complain about “gate lice” (our fellow travelers waiting at the gate, but probably not in premium class).
If you have a trick or method which helps all of us, then let us know. Level the playing field….
Wow, how terrible that you’ll have to fight with the proles on level footing now 🙁
Please. If you’re such a “savvy award flier” you’ll still have flights and seats available to you that others don’t, based on status with the airline and number of available miles.
I book with international partners using my Amex Platinum and I’m not quaking that other people will be able to book flights online now. Settle down.
That’s comparing water and oil. What would you rather do – use 450,000 AMEX points or 70,000 AA miles for a business class ticket on Cathay Pacific?
So true, Matthew. With credit card , shopping, dining, etc “diluting” the value of miles so much, you need every tool in the arsenal for getting premium seats now. I remember not so long ago when I could fly first class to Asia for 90K miles, and Europe for 70K roundtrip . Now?? Good luck with that. Keep up the good work !!
Yet another travel blogger who thinks they’re entitled to something without paying fairly for it.
Increased access is good for the market, this blog is self serving only.
It’s not for me personally, it’s for the entire frequent flyer community. This a well-known insider trick that many took advantage of. Now it will be available to everyone. That’s worth lamenting, though I am pleased that you are now in the know.
“Though I am pleased you are now in the know. ” Nice!
JRG – Why do we need a level playing field? Matthew, myself, and others have devoted a significant amount of time to learn the ins and outs of these “backdoor systems”. This is something that anyone with access to the internet can do – plenty of great information out there on blogs and message boards. I would argue that the individuals who take the time to learn about an airline’s mileage program, partners, award charts, and booking methodology actually deserve the awards MORE than those who do not – whether they be inexperienced flyers or top tier status holders.
If you don’t want to make the time or put in the effort to learn the methods and tricks, there are plenty of award booking and points consultation services available.
I totally agree with this story. Level the playing field… it means all players start at the same place and subjected to a same set rule.
Those in the knows… they are not subjected to different rules or getting a special treatment. They just worked harder than anyone else to learn the tricks and methods.
One of the lures of this game is the lucrative ‘award’ and scoring the most prized ones require hardest work. I invested ton of time learning tricks and methods over the years. I’m often annoyed by some who simply ask most basic questions and waiting to be spoon fed with answers.
Gotta admit, I knew/know about these options to call, but regularly forget about them. My problem has never been lack of miles, just lack of premium award inventory at times I need them.
That some are whining about “insiders” knowing the rules, it’s pathetic and unwarranted criticism. They could do it themselves, except they’re too lazy and are dependent upon being spoon-fed.
When Alaska started showing inventory, award space became extremely scarce. When AA does it, hasta la vista…
As an AA Gold, it benefits me. I don’t have instant guaranteed no-hold access to phone agents. I know how to search BA and elsewhere for awards across various alliances, can but that didn’t do me any good if I couldn’t get through on the phone.
Looking forward to redeeming for CX!
Never mistake candor for arrogance…..although in the case of this post, I might. Geez.
I think this is a positive change. I too may not get as much due to competition, as I have regularly used BA site. However, if they made everyone wait any hour on hold or only allowed you to book awards while in an airport then the restrictions help just a few. I’m happy to forego an award here and there for the greater good.