Jan 25, 2014, 2:56 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Be sure to check the lengthy http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...elections.html and oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on threads, as many members have posted questions - and useful answers - there. See the wiki posts for informative summaries.
Also be aware - AA have reduced capacity and apparently chosen to make MileSAAver flights significantly less available during predicted periods of high demand and high demand flights, undoubtedly keeping seats available for those willing to pay higher fares and use the new tiered AAnytime awards.
Older posts as of 1 Jan 2015 and later may be found in thd archived thread ARCHIVE: MileSAAver / SAAver award reduction discussion post 2015 AAdvantage merger
Older posts may dating from Aug 2011 through the AAdvantage program merger January 2015 be found in the archived thread here.
MileSAAver / SAAver award reduction / scarcity discussion
Feb 22, 2017, 12:05 am
#451
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, 1.5MM, GE
Posts: 213
What a surprise, and not a good one...
Wow, I researched a flight for July using KVS like I have for the past many, many years, found a route (that included a DFW-HKG start), confirmed all segments were available and called friendly award desk to book... not... only to find out that the DFW-HKG award in July is not a milesaver but an anytime award, huh,... how far out is this?... This was going to pull 197500 miles out of my account and that was for one way! So I quickly came to FT to find out the latest and learned that I am just another chump to be on the AA train. AA's frequent fliers have been with them long enough to accumulate 100's of 1000's of miles - are now rewarded by opening a few milesaver awards a few days before departure. Milesaver by definition was intended to reward upfront planning, etc. and Anytime meant that, ANYTIME, like I need to go tomorrow!
She was very friendly and I got the sense she has had this conversation before and encouraged me to call back and try again later... And I thought the reward devaluation was bad... Now I need to see if KVS will tell me what kind of inventory is available... Will let you know if I have any success...
She was very friendly and I got the sense she has had this conversation before and encouraged me to call back and try again later... And I thought the reward devaluation was bad... Now I need to see if KVS will tell me what kind of inventory is available... Will let you know if I have any success...
Feb 22, 2017, 12:34 am
#452
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, 1.5MM, GE
Posts: 213
Yep. My new strategy has (unfortunately) become: book anything you can find that will get you there when you need to be there. Ugly schedule, coach if necessary, whatever. Hope and pray that a better schedule/class will be available a day or two before departure. To be fair, it usually is, but that always ends up making for unnecessary stress and work for everybody - both me and the reps that have to make the changes.
The ability to make changes to award flight schedules/routings and to upgrade to a better cabin without incurring change fees may well be the only thing left keeping AA FFs from rioting.
The ability to make changes to award flight schedules/routings and to upgrade to a better cabin without incurring change fees may well be the only thing left keeping AA FFs from rioting.
Feb 22, 2017, 1:42 am
#453
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Has that ever happened before - going from bad to better? I can't recall that ever happening, but I could be wrong. OTOH, I can remember a lot of times when good things got worse over the years.
Feb 22, 2017, 6:05 am
#454
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,629
Feb 22, 2017, 9:14 am
#455
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Wow, I researched a flight for July using KVS like I have for the past many, many years, found a route (that included a DFW-HKG start), confirmed all segments were available and called friendly award desk to book... not... only to find out that the DFW-HKG award in July is not a milesaver but an anytime award, huh,...
Feb 22, 2017, 9:55 am
#456
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Sacramento, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt,Marriott,BA,AS
Posts: 4,430
Wow, I researched a flight for July using KVS like I have for the past many, many years, found a route (that included a DFW-HKG start), confirmed all segments were available and called friendly award desk to book... not... only to find out that the DFW-HKG award in July is not a milesaver but an anytime award, huh,... how far out is this?... This was going to pull 197500 miles out of my account and that was for one way! So I quickly came to FT to find out the latest and learned that I am just another chump to be on the AA train. AA's frequent fliers have been with them long enough to accumulate 100's of 1000's of miles - are now rewarded by opening a few milesaver awards a few days before departure. Milesaver by definition was intended to reward upfront planning, etc. and Anytime meant that, ANYTIME, like I need to go tomorrow!
She was very friendly and I got the sense she has had this conversation before and encouraged me to call back and try again later... And I thought the reward devaluation was bad... Now I need to see if KVS will tell me what kind of inventory is available... Will let you know if I have any success...
She was very friendly and I got the sense she has had this conversation before and encouraged me to call back and try again later... And I thought the reward devaluation was bad... Now I need to see if KVS will tell me what kind of inventory is available... Will let you know if I have any success...
Feb 22, 2017, 7:34 pm
#457
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: UA 1.5mm, *gold, AA - P, Marriot Titanium
Posts: 71
This thread is beginning to sound like a battered spouse story, in a very bad relationship, but continuing to stay in the relationship. Why? For those of you that care, you need to drop AA and fly an airline that is improving rather than go south.
Feb 22, 2017, 8:07 pm
#458
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, 1.5MM, GE
Posts: 213
Ok, I'll bite, I've had a long day... which airline would that be?
Feb 22, 2017, 8:29 pm
#459
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,065
That being said UA has much better business saver redemption.
The last remaining vestige of status with AA is the great domestic upgrade rate for EXP's at least. As a 1K on United I was 8% CPU rate for the year. I've been 95% so far this year with AA. Don't get me wrong that's great but for me at least I'd rather sit in coach and have better opportunities to redeem miles for saver J redemption.
When AA starts FCM, and it's going to happen, the remaining vestige I enjoy will be gone and AA will sink to the bottom, if not already there.
Feb 22, 2017, 10:06 pm
#461
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, 1.5MM, GE
Posts: 213
Feb 23, 2017, 1:50 am
#463
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
In other words, they are almost useless for all practical purposes.
Feb 23, 2017, 8:53 am
#465
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,519
History suggests airlines (and banks - credit cards) will continue to whittle away at benefits, which includes saver award availability. There has been lots written online about the pitfalls of banking miles, which I consider sage advice.