Originally Posted by
carlosdca
I don't know what is the hesitation about calling AA up.
I have absolutely no shame in calling AA and have them check aaward availability for a a bunch of different date ranges/ itineraries, different classes, etc. The phone agent will just check stuff for you, he/she won't get mad or scold you. Just do it. Don't feel bad. Call
And request having the fee waived if you are not EXP.
I certainly don't feel bad for wasting AA's time, but I don't love wasting my own. I was hoping someone might assure me that it was worth the pain of dealing with AA customer service for this kind of open-ended trip. I realize I'm wasting the same amount of time, but I don't mind spending a fair amount of time browsing websites to plan the perfect trip. Spending hours on the phone with someone who isn't really trying to help me infuriates me. To me, it feels like the difference between playing a fun game and, I don't know, talking to AA customer service.