We have racked up over 160K Dividend miles using the new credit card for our business and getting 1.5 miles for every dollar spent (until the end of the year) I just tried to book online 2 FF tix to St. Thomas next fall-almost 330 days out. It is only showing me tix that cost 60K miles EACH for 1 economy ticket. What's up with that? How can I book a 30K ticket?? Thanks for any insight.

We have racked up over 160K Dividend miles using the new credit card for our business and getting 1.5 miles for every dollar spent (until the end of the year) I just tried to book online 2 FF tix to St. Thomas next fall-almost 330 days out. It is only showing me tix that cost 60K miles EACH for 1 economy ticket. What's up with that? How can I book a 30K ticket?? Thanks for any insight.

Call. The people on the phone have better availability and more options (carribean star/sun, united etc.) than the web site.

There is a wide misconception that, since booking engines can go 330 days out (cars, hotels, airlines), then award inventory is also magically available then too. In fact, yield management is very tight on these kinds of routes. This is the same with EVERY airline, so if you accrued that many points on AA, for example, you'd run into the same issues.

Often, "they" will go in and alter the available discount awards (like the 30K one you seek) weeks or only a few months prior to the trip. So, yes - call. But if they aren't available the only thing you can do is keep checking. Or, book a 60K ticket and, if seats open up, exchange it for a 30K one (realizing, of course, you'll pay a high change fee to do that).

There is a wide misconception that, since booking engines can go 330 days out (cars, hotels, airlines), then award inventory is also magically available then too. In fact, yield management is very tight on these kinds of routes. This is the same with EVERY airline, so if you accrued that many points on AA, for example, you'd run into the same issues.

Often, "they" will go in and alter the available discount awards (like the 30K one you seek) weeks or only a few months prior to the trip. So, yes - call. But if they aren't available the only thing you can do is keep checking. Or, book a 60K ticket and, if seats open up, exchange it for a 30K one (realizing, of course, you'll pay a high change fee to do that).

Actually I have never had a problem booking an award ticket that far out with AA. I will keep checking online and also calling US Air. Thanks

...Or, book a 60K ticket and, if seats open up, exchange it for a 30K one (realizing, of course, you'll pay a high change fee to do that).

How does this work? You book the 60K and when a 30K becomes available you pay the standard $100 change fee? Does US put the other 30K (form the orig 60K) back in your account?