Release of A Inventory - Miles Copay
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Miami
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 40
Release of A Inventory - Miles Copay
I am flying MIA-LAX on December 22 with my fiance (AA Flt # 277). We are booked in seats 21 a/b (best coach seats on plane) and are both already on the sticker upgrade list. I just got an alert from expert flyer that 1 seat of A (miles copay) inventory opened up. I am debating if i should take the single and hope another single opens up for my fiance or just hold out for 2 A upgrades to be released. If that fails i can hope a sticker upgrade clears later on. How does AA usually release the A inventory?
There are currently 10 seats open in first (NGBC)... what say you flyertalk?
There are currently 10 seats open in first (NGBC)... what say you flyertalk?
#2
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,697
i personally would call AA and have the PNR split and grab the 1 seat. the nice agent might even offer to send the PNR to Rev mgmt to open another A seat (ask them) given you are completing a party of 2.
if not, just set up another alert and i'll bet it will clear. But grab what you can.
if not, just set up another alert and i'll bet it will clear. But grab what you can.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,959
I agree. Split the PNR and grab the upgrade for HER. You do risk being split up (her in F and you in Y, or you both in F but not seated next to each other). However, the chances of you both being in F are increased. I would also continue to watch for another A seat opening up, as your chances for a sticker upgrade on that flight are probably pretty low.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 76
I agree. Split the PNR and grab the upgrade for HER. You do risk being split up (her in F and you in Y, or you both in F but not seated next to each other). However, the chances of you both being in F are increased. I would also continue to watch for another A seat opening up, as your chances for a sticker upgrade on that flight are probably pretty low.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Miami
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 40
I tried getting insight from the plat desk as to how A inventory gets released and the timing but they wouldn't tell me anything. Is A typically released as flight date gets closer? How do they decide if they will release A inventory (miles/copay) vs sticker inventory.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Miami
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 40
PS. Thanks for all the responses. I love this site!
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Whatever you do, heed the advice: if you grab one upgrade seat from A inventory (miles, cert, etc), make certain that the lower-status passenger is assigned the upgrade, to maximize the chances that the other passenger is eventually upgraded.
#10
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Always on vacation
Programs: aa exp - spg gold - Hyatt Diamond - HH Gold
Posts: 6,007
If we knew the answers to these propriatory questions we all would have 100% upgrade records.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,588
EF is a great tool in this case, as it lets you set up an alert and will then email you when A inventory is (released and) available.
Agree with the recommendation to split the PNR and grab that one A seat (for your fiancé or fiancée) now.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Miami
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 40
777Lover, you are the BEST!!!! I did exactly what you said and they sent to revenue management. RM opened up another A fare seat and gave us both the upgrade!!!! Flyer talk rocks!!!
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Excellent result. Three days before Christmas and you scored two upgrades - on a fairly difficult route any day of the year. Check the upgrade list on the monitors when you board - I'll bet it's very lengthy.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Miami
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 40
Great result! I didn't even know you could ask revenue management to consider doing this. I am so glad i asked FT. I have a very happy fiance!
Too bad i will end up 20,000 EQM short of ExPlat this year. I guess there is always 2012!!!
Too bad i will end up 20,000 EQM short of ExPlat this year. I guess there is always 2012!!!