FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - New to Miles and Not Able to Redeem Mine... What?!
Old Apr 8, 2017, 4:48 pm
  #2  
Mwenenzi
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,045
wanderingstar Welcome to FT
Originally Posted by wanderingstar
... The representative said, "You just keep looking! I don't know how. It just says when we have availability on the website sometimes."
<snip>
Why can't I redeem my miles?
Award flights are never guaranteed to be available. The number of award seats is very limited. Just because a seat is available for cash sale does not mean its available for an award.

Awards are available from 355/330 days out to close to departure, depending on the airline. Looking for June awards in April is considered close in. Many people start looking 11-12 months out.

Some ffp's have what is often referred to as "saver" awards. These are at the minimum miles cost, plus taxes & surcharges if applicable.
Some ffp's have what is often referred to as "any time" awards that cost a lot more ff miles.
Unsure if HA has different award types

Is the SFO-Japan flight all on Hawaiian? Or another airline (ff partner)
Look got SFO-HNL separately and then HNL-Japan.

Good luck
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