pbz

I am ticketed ORD-DFW-SFO, in Z (first MileSAAver award). Is there any mechanism by which I could change to a direct ORD-SFO flight, if a seat in the right bucket opens up?

If so--is there any way to make it happen automatically?

If not--can I go to the airport in time for the earlier direct flight and get on a waitlist for it?

Thanks to all you experts & sorry for what probably seems like dumb newbie questions. Appreciate any suggestions.

flyupfront

I believe if Z inventory opens on the nonstop you can change...but you will have to call AA to make it happen.

flymeAAway

As long as your city of departure ORD and destination SFO does not change, and the class becomes available, you can make a change by phone to the AAdvantage desk change it with no fees. A move to a satellite AP such SJC is not allowed.

pbz

Thanks partners. Is there an easy way to see if the inventory opens up? (ExpertFlyer or else just keep trying to make bookings on the web site?)

Also, is it possible to go to the airport early and stand by for a first-class seat on the nonstop flight? (Or if I do that do I risk being forced on in coach?)

HNL

Only way I know is to set-up a Flight Alert on ExpertFlyer.com for Z inventory on your desired flights and wait. This is available to premium subscribers (monthly or annual plan).

TWAL10114Ever

I had this same experience over Thanksgiving, booked on a connection through ORD and tried to book an award flight via the website one night and it gave me the nonstop option. I called up AA and they switched it right away.

As far as I know, you are not allowed to stand-by for First class on an award ticket. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that is the case.

Sholey

Set up a alert on EF.

HNL

What a great idea.

Copilot23

I don't subscribe to EF. But once I was booked with a connection at DFW on an award flight for a vacation while the rest of my family was taking a non-stop to PVR. I simply checked AA.com regularly for award availability to open up on the flight my family was on. When it appeared I contacted AA who was very helpful in assisting switching my award to the non-stop free of charge.

lial

I don't believe that you can standby for an alternate flight when on award ticket. I was flying GIG-MIA-ATL-ORD on an economy award. I had to fly through ATL because the MIA-ORD flights didn't have award availability.

I got my bags at MIA and walked with them to the checkin desk and asked if I can fly stand by on any of the MIA-ORD flights, and they said I couldn't becuase I was on an award ticket and any change must be made with the award desk.

CloudCoder

There are many ways. Setting up an EF alert is probably the easiest. You can keep trying to book it on AA.com. You can keep calling AA on the phone to inquire.
Yes. It's the same mechanism: if the award inventory is available, they'll switch you to the desired flight. If it's not available, your original booking stays intact. The only advantage to being at the airport (instead of calling on the phone) is if someone no-shows at the last minute, you can get on the flight.They can't "force" you into coach. However you can voluntarily downgrade to coach. There are some possible scenarios (i.e. your flight is cancelled, and all they have left on the next flight is coach) where you paid for FC but flew in coach. In that case you can write 'em and they will refund some of your miles pro-rata.

I never tried voluntarily flying in coach and then asking for a miles adjustment. I believe they would -not- refund any miles.

River in Sight

pbz, I don't mean to hijack your post, but I want to clear something up.

I currently have a oneworld award booked, the return of which is LHR-(BA)MAN(AA)-ORD(AA)-DCA -- that was the best I could do. My understanding was that I could only change flight dates, but that the routing had to stay exactly the same. Based on this thread, I'm no longer sure.. if I find a more direct routing - such as STN-JFK-DCA, or LHR-JFK-DCA - later on, can I change the routing as long as the start and end cities remain the same, without paying any additional fee?

Thanks!

georgehf

You are correct. On an Oneworld Award, you can change the time, dates and flight numbers for free but you CANNOT make any changes to the routing. If you want to change the routing, you have to pay to redeposit the miles and start again.

swag

That's incorrect.

Regular standby rules should apply. While confirmed changes (which are free) require award inventory, same-day standby does not. I've even done standby on an award from a co-terminal.

It's possible that the international leg of the itinerary is what tripped you up, or else the agent just made a mistake.

Deltahater

Are you saying that it is possible to same day stand-by for travel even if it involves an international leg?
I am on a MR this FRI (SAT-DFW-ORD-FRA), but would prefer to go SAT-DFW-FRA. Think I can do that?