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
Mar 1, 2017, 11:56 am
#556
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,438
You might have to bite the bullet and go with two stops, as bad as that is. Or pay $$ like you said. Last time I needed LAX-JFK, they sent me LAX-DFW-CLT-JFK.
A million nonstop flights a day LAX-CLT and also DFW-JFK, but none available for sAAver.
A million nonstop flights a day LAX-CLT and also DFW-JFK, but none available for sAAver.
Mar 1, 2017, 12:50 pm
#557
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
Mar 1, 2017, 12:53 pm
#558
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,438
Mar 1, 2017, 12:59 pm
#559
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
In the past I have had a lot of success in obtaining award seats. Back in August/September at +330 I was able to snag 4 seats LAX-PPT, 2 in business and 2 in coach. We are starting in NY but there were no award seats available from JFK-LAX.
I've been looking on a regular basis and there just is no way currently to get a saver award from NYC-LAX or from LAX to NYC for the return. Really uncomfortable that at +330 and every week since there is simply no availability. I can't even find a way to get to LAX with a 1 stop anywhere.
Getting to the point where I will have to use $$ for the tickets.
I've been looking on a regular basis and there just is no way currently to get a saver award from NYC-LAX or from LAX to NYC for the return. Really uncomfortable that at +330 and every week since there is simply no availability. I can't even find a way to get to LAX with a 1 stop anywhere.
Getting to the point where I will have to use $$ for the tickets.
Scroll back in this and related forums to Feb 19, when AA released a bunch of saver J seats system wide. Those of us with proper alerts were rewarded handsomely, reasonable to expect it will happen again.
Mar 1, 2017, 2:04 pm
#560
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,433
Management clearly believes the current aadvantage program strikes the right balance (else they would adjust it) and the board clearly does not disagree (same).
Mar 1, 2017, 2:22 pm
#561
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: Alaska FF
Posts: 302
I linked to a report claiming that AAL has the lowest net profit and operating margins of major US carriers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27965279-post526.html. It is the BoD's job to care about such details - which effectively make up the bottom line - have a fiduciary responsibility on behalf of shareholders to hold Parker's feet to the fire.
If the scarcity of SAAver awards or the changes to the qualification requirements were hurting them, you would see it most directly in the yield number.
But it went up, the only one of the Big 3 to report an increase.
Mar 1, 2017, 2:50 pm
#562
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 624
If you have the miles, age advice in this forum is to book whatever routing is available, subscribe to a service such as Expert Flyer, set alerts for preferred flights and dates, change as seats become available. It has been widely reported that AA typically holds premium JFX-LAX award seats until the last moment; may make it a nailbiter at times, but I have found that patience and persistence are generally rewarded - particularly if you start 320 - 330 days out.
Scroll back in this and related forums to Feb 19, when AA released a bunch of saver J seats system wide. Those of us with proper alerts were rewarded handsomely, reasonable to expect it will happen again.
Scroll back in this and related forums to Feb 19, when AA released a bunch of saver J seats system wide. Those of us with proper alerts were rewarded handsomely, reasonable to expect it will happen again.
AA's flexibility with changing routings and dates is real perk. I'm flying SYD-US 4 days later than I want to next January and I have every AA/QF TPAC on alert for the days in between in hopes that something will open up. I'd expect it will. Will easily be able to change to my preferred date if seats open up.
AA's mix of scarcity and IT dysfunction almost makes it better for the more experienced award traveler because it reduces competition but still seems to provide just enough availability combined with flexibility to deliver. At least for me.
Mar 1, 2017, 3:40 pm
#563
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
Did you bother to read the link? FT link tool provided the description, not me. My point has NOTHING to due with the increased scarcity of save awards, expect it will have more of a long-term financial impact on Citibank and the Aadvantage program than operations.
Mar 1, 2017, 3:44 pm
#564
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
I'm not suggesting that the major issues are related to the aadvantage program, are more fundamental, systemic. Parker may be good at downsizing, squeezing out the last few pennies; it is time to bring on some fresh perspectives, to attract and retain higher value customers.
Mar 2, 2017, 9:40 am
#565
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 501
If you have the miles, age advice in this forum is to book whatever routing is available, subscribe to a service such as Expert Flyer, set alerts for preferred flights and dates, change as seats become available. It has been widely reported that AA typically holds premium JFX-LAX award seats until the last moment; may make it a nailbiter at times, but I have found that patience and persistence are generally rewarded - particularly if you start 320 - 330 days out.
Scroll back in this and related forums to Feb 19, when AA released a bunch of saver J seats system wide. Those of us with proper alerts were rewarded handsomely, reasonable to expect it will happen again.
Scroll back in this and related forums to Feb 19, when AA released a bunch of saver J seats system wide. Those of us with proper alerts were rewarded handsomely, reasonable to expect it will happen again.
For the OGG flight I am OK in using an anytime award, if I have to. For the PPT trip I'm already in for 80k each way in business and I don't want to add another 50+k to that award.
Mar 2, 2017, 11:39 pm
#566
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, 1.5MM, GE
Posts: 213
an update...
A few pages ago you may remember where I revealed my dismay at the change in availability of saaver awards. I was hoping to get a RT DFW-HKG in F or J and was going for AA metal due to the convenient routing. In the past I always did everything I could to get CX F (and/or JL F) a few times as well. Well, duh, if CX was good enough then... So that is what I'm gonna do, CX F from ORD to HKG. CX F to HKG has actually been a highlight of my travel adventures, another certainly won't hurt. 
Now, if some DFW-ORD saaver seats would just open up... What is interesting is that the domestic leg was always the easiest to get.
Now, if some DFW-ORD saaver seats would just open up... What is interesting is that the domestic leg was always the easiest to get.
Mar 3, 2017, 12:55 am
#567
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Did you already actually get this F award for ORD - HKG or are you hoping to get one? I cannnot tell from your post.Wanting it and getting it are two different things however, as we all here know very well. You might have gotten it in the past - as many of us did - but CX has changed their policy regarding releasing F awards to AA FFs, in case you haven't heard.
Good luck.
Mar 3, 2017, 11:35 am
#569
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: DFW
Programs: OWE AA EXP;*A TK Gold; Marriott LTT; Hyatt Globalist; IHG Plat; National VIP
Posts: 3,097
Zero availability
Just tried looking for saver award seat on AA metal or a seat for systemwide for any flight from PHL to any European city in the months of November, December and January. None. Completely nothing. Its quite astonishing that in 3 month time one of AA hubs has no availability for anything to any European city out of a dozen of them.
Also, was looking for the same time frame for Bogota from MIA, same outcome. It is completely frustrating especially when compared to United or Delta. In this case the grass is greener elsewhere, the only reason I stick with AA is nonstops.
Also, was looking for the same time frame for Bogota from MIA, same outcome. It is completely frustrating especially when compared to United or Delta. In this case the grass is greener elsewhere, the only reason I stick with AA is nonstops.
Last edited by asnovici; Mar 3, 2017 at 11:51 am
Mar 3, 2017, 2:02 pm
#570
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Just tried looking for saver award seat on AA metal or a seat for systemwide for any flight from PHL to any European city in the months of November, December and January. None. Completely nothing. Its quite astonishing that in 3 month time one of AA hubs has no availability for anything to any European city out of a dozen of them.
.
.