Can I book award if I don't have miles yet?
May 14, 2001, 9:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 70
Can I book award if I don't have miles yet?
I am about 3,000 miles short of redeeming an award on American. However, I have applied for an affinity credit card (and have already got the first monthly statement, so the 5,000 bonus miles should post any day now). Will they issue me the award and take out the miles once they have posted? They told me there is only 1 award seat left on the flight I want to take, so I cant wait too long.
May 14, 2001, 9:34 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: I am usually found in YYC or GIG
Programs: UAL Premex
Posts: 1,858
Does American allow you to purchase up to 10% of the miles required if you are short for an award.
It's possible with many programs.
[This message has been edited by Carioca Canuck (edited 05-14-2001).]
It's possible with many programs.
[This message has been edited by Carioca Canuck (edited 05-14-2001).]
May 15, 2001, 7:41 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: long island, NY
Posts: 13
American has allowed me to hold seats and post pone the redemption waiting for pending miles to post-- tell them what you are doing and they may extend to within 3 weeks ( to avoid paying any surcharges)-- I did this in November and just the other day
May 15, 2001, 8:47 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: AA - Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,513
I've reserved seats without having the total points on several airlines, including DL and AA. It depends on the period in which you can reserve the seat before they need you to lock into it. With one trip on AA where I needed 120k points I was able to request an extension of one month beyond the original hold date.
May 15, 2001, 12:37 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Oak Park, IL
Programs: AA 2 MM LIfetime Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Silver, BA
Posts: 3,585
Although the particulars have to do with AA, people's experience with other airlines might be relevent, so I think this is as good a place as any to ask the question. Asking customer service directly is always a good thing to do as well. I just donated to the National Parks promotion (only $10) but it posted the next day. If you are planning on donating $200 you would 2000 miles right away.
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DtG
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DtG
May 15, 2001, 12:43 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA/1K, DL/PM, AA/PLT, NW/SLV; SW/PLT, HH/DIA
Posts: 1,732
I think NoStress has it right.
This question was specifically about what American Airlines will let you do. It should have been posted in the AA forum.
If the original post wanted to know how AA's policy differed from others, this would be an appropriate venue.
AA will let you make the booking w/o the miles. However, you need the miles before the award can actually be ticketed.
This question was specifically about what American Airlines will let you do. It should have been posted in the AA forum.
If the original post wanted to know how AA's policy differed from others, this would be an appropriate venue.
AA will let you make the booking w/o the miles. However, you need the miles before the award can actually be ticketed.
May 15, 2001, 4:49 pm
#10
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,682
Most all carriers will deduct the mileage when you ticket, Ive booked award travel with UA and they have not deducted the miles until I had them issue the award ticket.