Originally Posted by
pubsmeister
I've used a couple of BXP1 upgrades over the years and it works pretty well, no big issues (as long as the underlying fare class is appropriate). I had miles expiring in January so picked a PlanAAhead award (the Caribbean one, I think) so miles wouldn't expire, and now I'm trying to book a flight. It's ridiculous- there is scant availability, and the rare flights that qualify take over 16 hours and involve multiple legs and overnight layovers (when a one stop taking 5-6 hours is easily available paying cash). Am I doing something wrong, or is this truly a worthless award? Anyone have better luck with a different award type?
Some might think it's a gamble but I've booked some horrible flights with multiple legs knowing that AA will change their schedule 8 times between when I booked it and the actual flight. Once they make a flight change you have a pretty good shot of coercing yourself onto a much better routing. Not fool proof but it is a decent strategy.