Argyle3090

I am trying to use Frequent Flyer miles in any class from SFO to LHR next September but there are no seats made available yet but several open from LAX.
I have a Companion award that is about to expire Oct 2011 and to add "salt to the wound" James Hillier of BA has issued me with another for the following year that I have just earned with my expenditure with the BA Chase Visa.
I have been flying across the pond with BA since 1982 and when I asked if they could notify me when seats were released the answer was no - I have to check periodically. I believe South West has a DING program that does something similar? Is there an iPad App that could do this search ? I have checked with some of the App software companies but they do not have this functionality.
BA should change their slogan " to Fly but NOT to Serve".
One cannot email the Executive Club but they do have a PO Box!
Having lost luggage several times with BA to contact their Lost Luggage is even worse!

nsx

No. DING is a fare sale notification tool. It's not very useful because 97% of the sales are lame.

If the tool you wanted existed, the airlines would need to escalate their efforts to make redemption more difficult. The name of their game is to promote the revenue that comes from selling miles while limiting any cost that comes from redeeming miles, particularly for partner travel. Making it difficult and unappealing to redeem on partners is important to the airline.

Argyle3090

I assume that the airlines have no accountability to the number of miles awarded to Frequent Flyer programs versus the seats they make available for redemption?

henkybaby

In this case to assume was a good idea.

No need to get your panties in a twist yet though. Availability for September 2012 will most likely open up. You just need to keep checking yourself. BA will not do this for you.

@:-) Maybe I should start such a service from BLR... @:-)

Cap'n Benj

Some Airlines make redemption availability fare buckets public, so the likes of Expert Flyer etc can view them. Expert flyer allows you to set alerts, so that when a seat in a fare bucket becomes available, you are emailed.

BA have decided for whatever reason not to do this. Its a bit of a pain but hardly worth getting annoyed about.

corporate-wage-slave

Check lunch time on Mondays (UK time) - there's often a big shuffle then. Notification systems tend to be self defeating in the end.

And quite frankly, no one died.

PaulN

I checked a random date in September (6th) on KVS and there are award seats shown. Only 1 direct on BA but lots via LAX / DFW etc using AA and BA. Are you trying to search for 2 or more people ? If I have a problem finding availability I find it best to search for 1 person then gradually increase.

Also it isn't necessary (or acceptable) to put employees names on a public forum.

hsmall

That may have been a jest but I for one would pay a small sum for such a service! Daily checking of LHR - SYD for example...

henkybaby

Given that a college graduate in India is about GBP 10 a day it may be an interesting opportunity... However, I would rather poke a hot needle in my eye 10x per hour than start a business in India.

hsmall

We have been trying, for the last ten years or so (we're a firm of international lawyers) - personally I think we would have lost less money tearing up £50 notes

henkybaby

Yeah, you need specialists for that. Unfortunately I am one. Does not necessarily mean you enjoy doing it. I now successfully migrated to getting the French to meet expectations. Only slight less enervating though.

hsmall

If you have got the French to meet expectations I take my hat off to you. The easier technique I have always employed is to manage the expectations rather than the performance

henkybaby

Sssst! Don't give away the secrets to change management!

(not even remotely kidding)

Sixth Freedom

Great idea about setting up a redemption announcement service henkybaby!

To Eat.To Drink

Don't knock it; I have a great little team over there and more than 10 distributors/agents. Very dedicated, motivated and intelligent. The key is finding people who 'get it'. Off for a little trip over there at the end of the month and actually looking forward to it... Even the prospect of 20 consecutive curries does not worry me...