I posted this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=526754) yesterday about potentially changing a *A award return date because of medical problems (don't know yet if there really is a problem).

I spoke with USAir to inquire about possible seat availability and completely struck out, after multiple calls.

The details:
Originally scheduled for HYD-FRA-PHL-PHF on 1 March (LH to PHL, then US). (2 seats in economy)

I asked for availability out of ANY city in India (HYD, BOM, DEL, MAA, etc.) on ANY *A carrier between 10 Mar and 20 Mar. They told me the problem is no availability out of India, beyond that it's OK. I asked if they checked trans-pac routings on SQ/TG/UA as well as the 'normal' atlantic routes on LH/OS/BD, and was told, "I checked all airlines, sir, and nothing is available".
Was told that revenue seats were available, just not award seats.

Is this correct that they can automatically check all possible routings, or do they have to do it manually, and will require me to do some extra prompting? They seemed to respond a little quicker than I thought it should take to check everything, which makes me suspicious about the thoroughness.

Anyone have any resources to see if this is true, and there's truly nothing available in this time frame? I'm a little surprised that no award seats exist out of the whole country across 6 airlines.

I don't know if this has any bearing, but in all cases, I was routed to an overseas call center, don't know if they have the same authority/experience/expertise to look at non-standard routings.

If a date change truly becomes necessary and no availability exists, is there any option or method to request US to request LH to open up award seats in such a situation? The last resort, of course, is to buy revenue tickets for them to come home, which I'll do if necessary, but would like to avoid if possible.

Agent 86,

I checked *A awards using the ANA and AC *A award tools...On both of those it shows 2 economy awards LH Flight 761 Dep 3:05 on Mar 10th availabile from DEL-FRA

As I am sure you know this does NOT ensure that these awards will be availiable for US customers...but in my experience when you get a positive result using both of these tools you are usually good to go for US too. I hope this is the case with you and that things work out for your daughter and agent 99. Try to call US ASAP and see if they can accomidate them...if not...sorry for the false hope :eek:

Take care God Bless and happy frequent flying
Buffaloflyer

When looking at LH availability.

Seems like US is not getting access to some LH inventory

Agent 86,

I checked *A awards using the ANA and AC *A award tools...On both of those it shows 2 economy awards LH Flight 761 Dep 3:05 on Mar 10th availabile from DEL-FRA

As I am sure you know this does NOT ensure that these awards will be availiable for US customers...but in my experience when you get a positive result using both of these tools you are usually good to go for US too. I hope this is the case with you and that things work out for your daughter and agent 99. Try to call US ASAP and see if they can accomidate them...if not...sorry for the false hope :eek:

Take care God Bless and happy frequent flying
Buffaloflyer

I would think that this means the flights are available with US miles. Keep in mind that some of the US agents are just lazy and won't actually check all *A options. Many a time I have been told there's zero availability on any carrier, but availability magically opens up when I ask them to check the flights that I found online. Some US agents are very good and will check every possible combination and offer alternatives. However, I've found that most are quick to proclaim that there is nothing available.

Agent 86,

I checked *A awards using the ANA and AC *A award tools...On both of those it shows 2 economy awards LH Flight 761 Dep 3:05 on Mar 10th availabile from DEL-FRA

As I am sure you know this does NOT ensure that these awards will be availiable for US customers...but in my experience when you get a positive result using both of these tools you are usually good to go for US too. I hope this is the case with you and that things work out for your daughter and agent 99. Try to call US ASAP and see if they can accomidate them...if not...sorry for the false hope :eek:

Take care God Bless and happy frequent flying
Buffaloflyer


Thanks for the info that ANA and AC have online availability tools.
I gave US that specific AC flight, and they told me nothing avail for award seats. ANA's award tool even shows availability out of HYD on LH, but US has nothing.

So, still looking at a big goose egg. :(

The agent I spoke with today suggested calling customer service and ask them to request LH to open up seats. I asked what number for cust service I should call, he said call reservations and ask them. :rolleyes:

I found 866-523-5333 for customer relations on the US website, is that the best number, or is there another one? I don't have any status with US, therefore have no access to elite phone numbers.

Our dilemma is that we don't know if a delay will be necessary yet, I'm just trying to research the possibilities if things reach that stage. So even if I find some availability, it's not necessarily something I can jump on and book!

Thanks for all the comments.

Thanks for the info that ANA and AC have online availability tools.
I gave US that specific AC flight, and they told me nothing avail for award seats. ANA's award tool even shows availability out of HYD on LH, but US has nothing.

So, still looking at a big goose egg. :(

The agent I spoke with today suggested calling customer service and ask them to request LH to open up seats. I asked what number for cust service I should call, he said call reservations and ask them. :rolleyes:

I found 866-523-5333 for customer relations on the US website, is that the best number, or is there another one? I don't have any status with US, therefore have no access to elite phone numbers.

Our dilemma is that we don't know if a delay will be necessary yet, I'm just trying to research the possibilities if things reach that stage. So even if I find some availability, it's not necessarily something I can jump on and book!

Thanks for all the comments.

You may want to try starting from Star Alliance hubs, if they find you something, put it on hold, and then call back and say that you would like to start in a different city while keeping your existing flights if possible. I have been most successful getting awards using this technique. For some reason, the US Airways computer system does not always show all available award seats. For example, last summer I was trying to go EWR - LAX via Chicago with United and then LAX to Narita with Singapore. Well, the computer showed no seats available in any classes from EWR to LAX, but when the agents would do leg by leg searches as I suggested (which only the very nice agents will do) there was plenty of availability in both F and Y on UA-operated flights from EWR to ORD and ORD to LAX.