Originally Posted by RobotDoctor
I have to admit that it is more difficult today to book a saver award than it has been in years past. I book domestic flights for my family and certain markets are next to impossible to secure saver awards. I have no problem booking standard award tickets.
I have taken many saver first class award trips from HNL to either CDG or LHR over the last 15 years, and will be taking one in two weeks.
I have also taken a significant number of "last minute" domestic saver awards from HNL, mostly in conjunction with going to see sporting events.
I cannot generalize, but can talk about awards from/to HNL, and, as well from the Mainland to LHR/CDG.
It has always taken work, flexibility, and understanding of the system to get the awards booked well in advance. That being said, I believe it has gotten harder over the last several years. The trip that I am taking in two weeks, I booked 330 days out, and didn't get the exact flights I wanted, but close enough, but, it took a very good reservations agent and real patience on both our parts.
Last minute saver trips have never been a problem, especially in coach.
My experience has been that trying to book from/to HNL six months to one month out is very, very hard (and I never do that, as I try to set "big" vacations 330 days in advance).
I believe it is fine that it is harder. UAL needs to survive and needs to maximize revenue.
And, I have never not been able to use my miles, and only once have I ever had to get a standard award.