Availability of award space - phantom or real?
Apr 24, 2023 | 9:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 28
Availability of award space - phantom or real?
I have been searching for award space through Aeroplan lately and have seen availability for EVA, ANA and SQ to Asia, but I do not see some of these available when searching on United. Would this be part of the phantom award space? I thought Aeroplan made an effort in recent years to eliminate phantom space? I am worried about transferring URs over and getting them stuck in Aeroplan if I cant really book these flights. How can I be sure they are actually available?
Apr 24, 2023 | 2:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: YUL
Posts: 41
I have been searching for award space through Aeroplan lately and have seen availability for EVA, ANA and SQ to Asia, but I do not see some of these available when searching on United. Would this be part of the phantom award space? I thought Aeroplan made an effort in recent years to eliminate phantom space? I am worried about transferring URs over and getting them stuck in Aeroplan if I cant really book these flights. How can I be sure they are actually available?
Apr 25, 2023 | 7:21 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 25
If you can actually see them, then they're not phantom. You can call in to be sure, but if it allows to "add to cart" and go to check out then I would definitely think it was real.
Apr 25, 2023 | 10:41 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,352
That means it's as real as you can get, but it also means you need to wait 30 minutes for it to be released back to inventory. So don't close that tab, if the transfer is going to be instant.
Apr 25, 2023 | 10:43 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 25
If you can get to seat selection, it's created a PNR and confirmed the space.
That means it's as real as you can get, but it also means you need to wait 30 minutes for it to be released back to inventory. So don't close that tab, if the transfer is going to be instant.
That means it's as real as you can get, but it also means you need to wait 30 minutes for it to be released back to inventory. So don't close that tab, if the transfer is going to be instant.
Apr 25, 2023 | 12:30 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 28
If you can get to seat selection, it's created a PNR and confirmed the space.
That means it's as real as you can get, but it also means you need to wait 30 minutes for it to be released back to inventory. So don't close that tab, if the transfer is going to be instant.
That means it's as real as you can get, but it also means you need to wait 30 minutes for it to be released back to inventory. So don't close that tab, if the transfer is going to be instant.
Apr 25, 2023 | 12:54 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: *G^2, Bonvoyed, NEXUS
Posts: 3,678
I have been searching for award space through Aeroplan lately and have seen availability for EVA, ANA and SQ to Asia, but I do not see some of these available when searching on United. Would this be part of the phantom award space? I thought Aeroplan made an effort in recent years to eliminate phantom space? I am worried about transferring URs over and getting them stuck in Aeroplan if I cant really book these flights. How can I be sure they are actually available?
Apr 25, 2023 | 1:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K 1MM, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,732
FT is your friend and there's a glossary of terms.