I'm going to PHL-LAS in January. Coach fare is $380, but there are quite a few 50K First awards for that roundtrip, which we all know is rare. But the selection on nonstops as well as connections is decent. Yeah, it's 6 months out. But, in recent months we've all become suspicious of the way inventory management has been dolling out domestic awards.

Here's what I found:
On my day of departure, a thursday, the nonstop flight I want (operated by AW on an A320) has 3 rows of F(12 seats). The online bucket tools show F4 A0 before I book. When I book it, 4 of the 12 seats are already reserved. Mine makes #5. Back to the availability tool - still F4 A0. Why is it showing a total of 4 F seats to sell when there are 7 left to sell. Two possible reasons - it's going to be downsized to an 8F 757, or 3 people haven't picked a seat yet. I'm guessing the downsizing is in the cards.

My return on Sunday I want the coveted 155pm departure (flight #30) for a nice arrival time in PHL of 944pm. The 4pm nonstop (US #642) isn't too bad either, but it's an 1145pm arrival which is later than most prefer if they have a job to get to in the morning. Availability tools for #30, a 757 with 8F seats, shows F6 P2 A4. The online seat tool shows 2 of 8 assigned. Mine makes 3 of 8. After I book, the availbility tools show F5 P1 A3, so it accurately reflects my redemption.

Looking at any other flights in the near future, most are showing F4 P0 A2 or less. None of those have a discount First award (25000 each way). So I think it's pretty clear that this dinky cabin makes for a difficult discount award redemption and certainly near impossible for an upgrade of any kind.

I'm going to PHL-LAS in January. Coach fare is $380, but there are quite a few 50K First awards for that roundtrip, which we all know is rare. But the selection on nonstops as well as connections is decent. Yeah, it's 6 months out. But, in recent months we've all become suspicious of the way inventory management has been dolling out domestic awards.

Here's what I found:
On my day of departure, a thursday, the nonstop flight I want (operated by AW on an A320) has 3 rows of F(12 seats). The online bucket tools show F4 A0 before I book. When I book it, 4 of the 12 seats are already reserved. Mine makes #5. Back to the availability tool - still F4 A0. Why is it showing a total of 4 F seats to sell when there are 7 left to sell. Two possible reasons - it's going to be downsized to an 8F 757, or 3 people haven't picked a seat yet. I'm guessing the downsizing is in the cards.

My return on Sunday I want the coveted 155pm departure (flight #30) for a nice arrival time in PHL of 944pm. The 4pm nonstop (US #642) isn't too bad either, but it's an 1145pm arrival which is later than most prefer if they have a job to get to in the morning. Availability tools for #30, a 757 with 8F seats, shows F6 P2 A4. The online seat tool shows 2 of 8 assigned. Mine makes 3 of 8. After I book, the availbility tools show F5 P1 A3, so it accurately reflects my redemption.

Looking at any other flights in the near future, most are showing F4 P0 A2 or less. None of those have a discount First award (25000 each way). So I think it's pretty clear that this dinky cabin makes for a difficult discount award redemption and certainly near impossible for an upgrade of any kind.


I think HP operated flights only show up to F4. US flights usually go to F9

Sean

They show F7 if there are more than 8 seats. I've looked out 11 months and don't see one single 757 operated flight showing more than F6. I checked Vegas and some Carrib routes. But a 737 operated flight on the other hand shows F7 as does an A321 flight that shows F7 P7 A7 on one with no assigned seats.

Every HP flight I have looked up always maxes out at 4. (F4 A4 Y4 B4..... even if they are say 12F and 30Y seats available)

Here's what I found:
On my day of departure, a thursday, the nonstop flight I want (operated by AW on an A320) has 3 rows of F(12 seats). The online bucket tools show F4 A0 before I book. When I book it, 4 of the 12 seats are already reserved. Mine makes #5. Back to the availability tool - still F4 A0. Why is it showing a total of 4 F seats to sell when there are 7 left to sell. Two possible reasons - it's going to be downsized to an 8F 757, or 3 people haven't picked a seat yet. I'm guessing the downsizing is in the cards.

As others have mentioned, HP operated flights max out at F4. Also, are the four seats showing as reserved row 1? I've noticed that HP also regularly blocks these seats on their Airbii until a date closer to departure. They also block bulkhead seats in Y.

yes, my HP operated flight on an A320 showed all of row 1 blocked. I snagged 2B. All other seats in row 2 and 3 were unassigned. So, it may seem that I am now the only person booked in F on that flight as of yesterday.

It is a function of the CRS - when displaying availability to other systems (GDS), you can configure a maximum number to display. I think this gives the airline better control of their inventory when everyone in the world has access to your inventory.

I think HP operated flights only show up to F4. US flights usually go to F9

Sean

Nearly correct. US capacity maxes at 7.

Sorry..new on this board...where/what is the online bucket tools feature?