Oct 23, 2015, 3:05 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
AAnytime Awards (restricted to AA marketed and operated flights)
NOTE: There will likely be further changes. See Dynamic Award Pricing to be Expanded - AA announces 30 May 2019 link
Link to American Airlines award chart
Link to one world and other airline partner award chart
Link to HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance, discussion thread.
See this post (post #122) for more on the Level 3 increases introduced August 2016.
Link to The Points Guy article on the hidden Level 3.
If a seat is available for sale on an American Airlines marketed and operated flight, you can acquire it as an AAnytime award seat. AAnytime awards require more miles than the restricted MileSAver awards (for AA and required for partners); there are three tiers for the miles required for AAnytime awards seats; it can "cost" even more miles during high demand periods or on certain aspirational flights.
What you need to know
Awards cost $150 to redeposit ($25 for multiple / other travelers' awards taken from the same account); the fee is waived for awards taken from and returned to the account of an Executive Platinum member, when one wishes to pay more miles for a higher class of service or when significant flight or schedule disruption occurs).
Fees for redepositing a MileSAAver award are generally waived if they are "upgraded" to an AAnytime award. “Downgrading” from AAnytime to !ileSAAver requires redeposited and a new award ticket issue.
AAnytime awards do not earn miles, but are more flexible than MileSAAver awards, allowing easier changes and more perquisites (baggage, Same Day Flight Change, Main Cabin Extra and premium seat selection, two courtesy bags to 23 kg / 50 lbs, etc.)
NOTE: There will likely be further changes. See Dynamic Award Pricing to be Expanded - AA announces 30 May 2019 link
Link to American Airlines award chart
Link to one world and other airline partner award chart
Link to HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance, discussion thread.
AAnytime awards
With no blackout dates, you can use AAnytime awards for any seat on an American Airlines or American Eagle® flight for as low as 20,000 miles each way, plus any applicable taxes and carrier-imposed fees.
AAnytime award levels vary by date (including time of day) and region. There are select dates that require a higher number of miles (in addition to Level 1 and 2 awards, there is a hidden level 3 based on aspirational value and premium product and even some hidden level 4 award space released on Flagship transcontinental flights). When you search for awards while booking, you’ll see the applicable available award level.
With no blackout dates, you can use AAnytime awards for any seat on an American Airlines or American Eagle® flight for as low as 20,000 miles each way, plus any applicable taxes and carrier-imposed fees.
AAnytime award levels vary by date (including time of day) and region. There are select dates that require a higher number of miles (in addition to Level 1 and 2 awards, there is a hidden level 3 based on aspirational value and premium product and even some hidden level 4 award space released on Flagship transcontinental flights). When you search for awards while booking, you’ll see the applicable available award level.
Link to The Points Guy article on the hidden Level 3.
If a seat is available for sale on an American Airlines marketed and operated flight, you can acquire it as an AAnytime award seat. AAnytime awards require more miles than the restricted MileSAver awards (for AA and required for partners); there are three tiers for the miles required for AAnytime awards seats; it can "cost" even more miles during high demand periods or on certain aspirational flights.
What you need to know
- AAnytime awards are only offered on AA marketed and operated flights
- Miles shown are for one-way travel
- Book a one-way trip or combine awards for round-trip or multi-city travel
- AAnytime awards mean as long as there is a seat available for sale, an AAnytime award can take it (but miles cost can be very high)
- Each award is subject to taxes and carrier-imposed fees starting from $5.60 per person, per award. These taxes and fees vary by itinerary and are based on trip origin and destination. The exact amount of taxes and carrier-imposed fees that will apply will appear when searching for a particular itinerary.
- For flights offering only two classes of service, the Economy and Business / First Class awards apply. For flights offering three classes of service Economy, Business / First and First Class awards apply.
- NOTE: AAnytime miles "cost" can vary in accord with flight demand, even on the same day
- For flights offering only two classes of service, the Economy and Business / First Class awards apply. For flights offering three classes of service Economy, Business / First and First Class awards apply.
- Each award is subject to taxes and carrier-imposed fees starting from $5.60 per person, per award. These taxes and fees vary by itinerary and are based on trip origin and destination. The exact amount of taxes and carrier-imposed fees that will apply will appear when searching for a particular itinerary.
- AAnytime awards mean as long as there is a seat available for sale, an AAnytime award can take it (but miles cost can be very high)
- Book a one-way trip or combine awards for round-trip or multi-city travel
- Miles shown are for one-way travel
Awards cost $150 to redeposit ($25 for multiple / other travelers' awards taken from the same account); the fee is waived for awards taken from and returned to the account of an Executive Platinum member, when one wishes to pay more miles for a higher class of service or when significant flight or schedule disruption occurs).
Fees for redepositing a MileSAAver award are generally waived if they are "upgraded" to an AAnytime award. “Downgrading” from AAnytime to !ileSAAver requires redeposited and a new award ticket issue.
AAnytime awards do not earn miles, but are more flexible than MileSAAver awards, allowing easier changes and more perquisites (baggage, Same Day Flight Change, Main Cabin Extra and premium seat selection, two courtesy bags to 23 kg / 50 lbs, etc.)
AA Anytime / AAnytime award / awards [master thread]
Feb 16, 2023, 9:01 pm
#301
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AAdvantage 3MM
Posts: 3
DFW SEL J award / dynamic award pricing
Hi all, hoping someone can help.
I'm a longtime EP. Looking to book 4 business class DFW to SEL in late May for a family vacation one way (we will return via different routing / different airlines). I can get them now for 300K miles each (one way). I have the miles but that seems awfully expensive miles-wise.
With "dynamic award pricing", any thoughts on whether that price in miles is likely to get better AND still have availability to book 4 in J?
Thanks in advance
I'm a longtime EP. Looking to book 4 business class DFW to SEL in late May for a family vacation one way (we will return via different routing / different airlines). I can get them now for 300K miles each (one way). I have the miles but that seems awfully expensive miles-wise.
With "dynamic award pricing", any thoughts on whether that price in miles is likely to get better AND still have availability to book 4 in J?
Thanks in advance
Feb 16, 2023, 9:04 pm
#302
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, WOH Globalist
Posts: 1,160
Hi all, hoping someone can help.
I'm a longtime EP. Looking to book 4 business class DFW to SEL in late May for a family vacation one way (we will return via different routing / different airlines). I can get them now for 300K miles each (one way). I have the miles but that seems awfully expensive miles-wise.
With "dynamic award pricing", any thoughts on whether that price in miles is likely to get better AND still have availability to book 4 in J?
Thanks in advance
I'm a longtime EP. Looking to book 4 business class DFW to SEL in late May for a family vacation one way (we will return via different routing / different airlines). I can get them now for 300K miles each (one way). I have the miles but that seems awfully expensive miles-wise.
With "dynamic award pricing", any thoughts on whether that price in miles is likely to get better AND still have availability to book 4 in J?
Thanks in advance
All award tickets are fully refundable so if you have the miles, there is no reason not to book right now. If it becomes available for cheaper, even one or two seats, you can cancel those and rebook.
Feb 17, 2023, 4:21 am
#303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
Hi all, hoping someone can help.
I'm a longtime EP. Looking to book 4 business class DFW to SEL in late May for a family vacation one way (we will return via different routing / different airlines). I can get them now for 300K miles each (one way). I have the miles but that seems awfully expensive miles-wise.
With "dynamic award pricing", any thoughts on whether that price in miles is likely to get better AND still have availability to book 4 in J?
Thanks in advance
I'm a longtime EP. Looking to book 4 business class DFW to SEL in late May for a family vacation one way (we will return via different routing / different airlines). I can get them now for 300K miles each (one way). I have the miles but that seems awfully expensive miles-wise.
With "dynamic award pricing", any thoughts on whether that price in miles is likely to get better AND still have availability to book 4 in J?
Thanks in advance