How is EXP award availability?
Jul 20, 2010, 2:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
How is EXP award availability?
Do you notice that large of difference in mile saver business and first awards?
Jul 20, 2010, 2:53 pm
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Hellsea - NY, NY, USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,994
I haven't noticed differences in redeeming awards, but I don't redeem all that often. Or if I do, they are generally available.
Where I do notice the differences are when calling for eVIPs or sticker upgrades. On many occasions, the agents have been able to confirm the eVIPs even when the flight was showing C0 in Sabre.
Similarly, I have been able to confirm sticker upgrades in advance when they did not show available to PLT members.
That said, it is a published benefit for expanded inventory for awards, so I presume there are indeed those who have benefitted from this perk.
Where I do notice the differences are when calling for eVIPs or sticker upgrades. On many occasions, the agents have been able to confirm the eVIPs even when the flight was showing C0 in Sabre.
Similarly, I have been able to confirm sticker upgrades in advance when they did not show available to PLT members.
That said, it is a published benefit for expanded inventory for awards, so I presume there are indeed those who have benefitted from this perk.
Jul 20, 2010, 3:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PEK, SFO, NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Fairmont PC Plat
Posts: 277
Is this expanded award inventory a benefit only for EXP? I am currently PLT, but will make EXP in 1.5 months, so it won't really matter, but I am curious nonetheless.
Jul 20, 2010, 3:44 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA 1.5 MM Exec Plat, WN A-List, DL Silver, UA nonrev
Posts: 2,593
Jul 20, 2010, 3:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Boston; DC
Programs: AA EXP/2mm; UA 1k;
Posts: 673
But I though it was only for Coach awards? It's not a formal additional fare bucket is it? (This info is not on the wiki, as far as I can tell)
Jul 20, 2010, 4:37 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA EXP, 1 MM, AC, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,010
The benefits guide describes it as "additional MileSAAver award seating availability." Since MileSAAver awards are available for Y and F, sounds to me like it could work for either.
Jul 20, 2010, 4:45 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
it is across all classes. it is very hard to tell how much additional availability there is but anecdotally it seems to be good. the few times i have called there has been more availability domestically than aa.com shows.
Jul 20, 2010, 5:33 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO
Posts: 1,719
I've also had EXP agents find domestic flights that I couldn't find on the AA website.
Jul 20, 2010, 5:49 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SFO, SJC
Programs: AA - EXP 2MM+, Marriott PLT, UA, National Exec
Posts: 495
Jul 20, 2010, 6:18 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
Jul 20, 2010, 6:39 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AS, BA, AA
Posts: 3,670
I've only used it once. I called the EXP desk and asked them about getting a SAAver award on a flight. They said that nothing was available, but offered to put in a request to Revenue Management. They said I should call back after 8 am the next day. I called back, and RM had granted the request, and we got two seats in coach as requested. ^
Jul 20, 2010, 7:20 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
I've only used it once. I called the EXP desk and asked them about getting a SAAver award on a flight. They said that nothing was available, but offered to put in a request to Revenue Management. They said I should call back after 8 am the next day. I called back, and RM had granted the request, and we got two seats in coach as requested. ^
Jul 20, 2010, 10:52 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SoCal
Posts: 676
I've only used it once. I called the EXP desk and asked them about getting a SAAver award on a flight. They said that nothing was available, but offered to put in a request to Revenue Management. They said I should call back after 8 am the next day. I called back, and RM had granted the request, and we got two seats in coach as requested. ^
Jul 20, 2010, 10:54 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: AA Platinum, 3 MM
Posts: 27
EXP expanded award availability on aa.com?
If you are logged in on aa.com, so the system knows you are EXP, does that open expanded award availability, or do you have to phone the EXP desk and request it verbally?
Jul 20, 2010, 11:01 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422