Confusing Mileage Rule

I am a member of Aer Lingus gold circle club. Probably the worst frequent flyer program in the world but as I live in Ireland I have little choice.

My wife is booked on an Aer Lingus operated flight from JFK to Shannon in February but her ticket is American Airlines. I want to use my Aer Lingus points to upgrade her to premier but they say that because it is not on Aer Lingus "Paper" there is nothing I can do. This seems crazy to me. Surely the point of OneWorld is to make this type of thing easier.

Do you have any suggestions?

Richard

Hi Richard,

This unfortunately is all too common. Regulatory rules and international laws dictate how airlines can co-market their services, including how partner airlines mileage can be used.

Most airlines would prefer greater flexibility with their alliance partners. The three main alliance partnerships are constantly working on upgrading their mutual programs.

In this case, you might see if your ticket can be re-booked as an Aer Lingus flight. You might also see if you can transfer your American Airline points to your Aer Lingus account.

My best advice is to ask a lot of questions when arranging your travels. At a minimum, ask about ticketing and refund policies, alternative flight options, and upgrading opportunities.

Good luck,

Joel