Any experience using AAdvantage miles to redeem flights on Qantas to Europe?

Frequent Flyer Programs
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Hi all:

I have an AA mileage balance from time spent working with the US and tend to use the miles to book Qantas back took Europe to visit family.

Increasingly I am seeing that seating for the Qantas leg of mixed carrier itineraries through Asia (but also on QF2/9 through Dubai) is in economy, even for a business class redemption.

I am also finding that a good number of itineraries that appear on aa.com cannot be booked, even when calling AA directly.

Anyone had any success resolving either or both issues?

Rob

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Both frustrating problems, for sure.

I am seeing that seating for the Qantas leg of mixed carrier itineraries through Asia (but also on QF2/9 through Dubai) is in economy, even for a business class redemption.

This is a problem with the Qantas.com search tool, but it’s by design - they want you to see as many available options for using points, even if they don’t match what you’re looking for in terms of class of travel.

I am also finding that a good number of itineraries that appear on aa.com cannot be booked, even when calling AA directly.

This is a problem with the AA search tool, which isn’t by design, and is generally a bit annoying for oneworld partner airline searches.

The alternative is to use the British Airways search tool, or an aggregator search tool like AwardNexus.com (which is excellent btw, my weapon of choice) but which is a paid service. The BA website at least tends to show the right availability that can be booked by Qantas or AA.

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