Redeeming AS miles for premium cabins
Nov 9, 2015, 12:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 110
Redeeming AS miles for premium cabins
Hello,
Is it me, or are there few opportunities to redeem AS mile for premium cabins on international flights? All I seem to find are mixed cabins, with the longer of the two flights being in coach.
Does phoning in yield different results?
Is it me, or are there few opportunities to redeem AS mile for premium cabins on international flights? All I seem to find are mixed cabins, with the longer of the two flights being in coach.
Does phoning in yield different results?
Nov 9, 2015, 6:06 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: TUS, SEA, OTP, OMR
Posts: 868
It may help in some cases to search segment by segment, and then use the multi-segment itinerary to punch in the working segments (although it may not in some cases).
Keep in mind that premium cabin space on the "aspirational" flights (EK, CX, QF, etc) tends to get sold out far in advance. If you have the flexibility, space may open up on flights at the last minute, so one strategy is to book in Y or Y+ and then start calling in a few weeks before the flight to see if space has opened up.
Keep in mind that space may not open up, especially on a popular route during the high season for that route.
Keep in mind that premium cabin space on the "aspirational" flights (EK, CX, QF, etc) tends to get sold out far in advance. If you have the flexibility, space may open up on flights at the last minute, so one strategy is to book in Y or Y+ and then start calling in a few weeks before the flight to see if space has opened up.
Keep in mind that space may not open up, especially on a popular route during the high season for that route.
Nov 9, 2015, 7:29 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
If you need Cathay or LAN phoning will find different results since those carriers are not available for online booking. Those working the phones use the same exact tool for booking the other carriers as we do. I don't believe they have access to anything different except if you can get the rare rep who will manual sell Emirates which uses the similar system as the CX and LA awards
Nov 9, 2015, 7:34 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 160
As mentioned, you need to be looking in advance or very close in. I was able to redeem SIN-DXB-JFK on the A380 for two pax this summer at 100k AS each.
Nov 9, 2015, 8:46 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
I've used AS miles to book a number of international premium cabins. So I can vouch that it's not impossible.
Nov 9, 2015, 10:26 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 110
It's more of a general question. Last year I tried to look for a trip to Europe on AS miles, and saw only mixed cabin results. This year I tried for both European and Asian destinations all about 3-4 months out.
Was just wondering if this was the norm when using AS miles, or if there were any tips.
Was just wondering if this was the norm when using AS miles, or if there were any tips.
Nov 9, 2015, 11:07 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 917
It's more of a general question. Last year I tried to look for a trip to Europe on AS miles, and saw only mixed cabin results. This year I tried for both European and Asian destinations all about 3-4 months out.
Was just wondering if this was the norm when using AS miles, or if there were any tips.
Was just wondering if this was the norm when using AS miles, or if there were any tips.
Nov 9, 2015, 1:21 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,446
I'm in the minority I'm sure, but I do use my miles to fly BA even with the ridiculous taxes. Why? Convenience (one less day of work to miss) and a pretty damn good service for 70K in miles.
You can find a lot of BA avail. even pretty far out and it certainly gets better closer to your departure date.
In other cases, I just look for the least painful connect to get where i need to go if I'm using AS miles (AA mostly with some AF).
You can find a lot of BA avail. even pretty far out and it certainly gets better closer to your departure date.
In other cases, I just look for the least painful connect to get where i need to go if I'm using AS miles (AA mostly with some AF).
Nov 9, 2015, 1:31 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon or Costa Alegre take your pick
Programs: AS MVPG,
Posts: 1,066
I'm in the minority I'm sure, but I do use my miles to fly BA even with the ridiculous taxes. Why? Convenience (one less day of work to miss) and a pretty damn good service for 70K in miles.
You can find a lot of BA avail. even pretty far out and it certainly gets better closer to your departure date.
You can find a lot of BA avail. even pretty far out and it certainly gets better closer to your departure date.
Dreaming.AS seats may not be the most comfortable up front but their north of expected attitude is worth it to me.
Nov 9, 2015, 2:07 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
It's more of a general question. Last year I tried to look for a trip to Europe on AS miles, and saw only mixed cabin results. This year I tried for both European and Asian destinations all about 3-4 months out.
Was just wondering if this was the norm when using AS miles, or if there were any tips.
Was just wondering if this was the norm when using AS miles, or if there were any tips.
CX is not available online. That's a major source of Asia inventory.
Also... you might have just missed this:
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...-class-awards/
That being said, SEA-JFK-LHR on American, 3/15 outbound, and ZRH-JFK-LAX/ORD/SFO-SEA inbound 3/22. 100k miles, not mixed cabin, total cash cost around $100, you can get the three-cabin American Flagship Service on the way back. So these redemptions are out there... it helps when it comes to Europe if you're willing to open-jaw your trip.
Absolutely. This board's ability to provide tips increases dramatically when specifics are provided...
Nov 9, 2015, 6:01 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DCA IAD BWI
Programs: AS MVP, Hyatt Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry, Hertz 5*
Posts: 176
Good luck.
-AD
Nov 9, 2015, 10:53 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
Prepping for West Coast -> DXB -> BKK for thanksgiving or Christmas 2016. Not in the window yet but today I found 2x F A380 all the way SFO -> DXB -> BKK in October. I'll take that as a good sign.
Nov 17, 2015, 12:12 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 16
Business class upgrade on cathay
It's more of a general question. Last year I tried to look for a trip to Europe on AS miles, and saw only mixed cabin results. This year I tried for both European and Asian destinations all about 3-4 months out.
Was just wondering if this was the norm when using AS miles, or if there were any tips.
Was just wondering if this was the norm when using AS miles, or if there were any tips.
I did some research on this as I really wanted to book 5 business-class seats to Asia in March 2016 on Cathay. What I found out is that Cathay releases their seats (ecnomy/premium econ/business class) around the 360 day mark before the flight. I uses the British Airways website to KEEP CHECKING each day if flights were available. I live in Canada and most of the flights originated either in LAX or SFO. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that AS includes the award flight to the gateway city in the same CLASS.
Have fun hunting....