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]
Aug 30, 2015, 12:32 am
#91
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
Aug 30, 2015, 6:59 am
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
AAnytime award levels vary by date and region. There are select dates that require a higher number of miles (in addition to Level 1 and 2 awards). When you search for awards while booking, you’ll see the applicable award level.
For one big hairy example, DFW-LGA on the Sunday after Thanksgiving has Anytime awards pricing at 75K, one way, coach.
Original FT discussion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...pr-2014-a.html
Aug 30, 2015, 7:02 am
#94
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Sep 14, 2015, 9:46 pm
#95
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1
Anyone find a pattern?
I admit, this is a bit esoteric, but has anyone discovered the logic behind AA's designation that a particular date is Level 1 or 2 or 3 for an AAnytime Award?
During my award searches, it appears that any given day to a certain region is designated Level 1 or 2 or 3 -- regardless of the city pairs. At least this was the case between the US and Europe. Obviously most days are Level 2, followed by 3. Of course, Level 1 is a rare exception.
In my case, I'm looking for J awards LAX-LHR out into mid July through mid-August 2016 (have seen no sAAver nonstops the entire summer). No matter which city pairs I check, August 8th and 9th are Level 1 days for AAnytime Business Awards between the US and Europe.
So I'm wondering if there's any obvious pattern. Why those two days for the whole region.
Like many of you, I'm working hard to find ideal nonstops during peak travel demand. Probably way overthinking things in the process.
During my award searches, it appears that any given day to a certain region is designated Level 1 or 2 or 3 -- regardless of the city pairs. At least this was the case between the US and Europe. Obviously most days are Level 2, followed by 3. Of course, Level 1 is a rare exception.
In my case, I'm looking for J awards LAX-LHR out into mid July through mid-August 2016 (have seen no sAAver nonstops the entire summer). No matter which city pairs I check, August 8th and 9th are Level 1 days for AAnytime Business Awards between the US and Europe.
So I'm wondering if there's any obvious pattern. Why those two days for the whole region.
Like many of you, I'm working hard to find ideal nonstops during peak travel demand. Probably way overthinking things in the process.
Sep 15, 2015, 8:25 pm
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
It seems kind of random for Level 1 vs. Level 2 on US-Deep South America. It might be level 1 one Friday but level 2 the next Friday.
Any insight into what is the determinant of L1 vs. L2? Is it based on loads for a particular flight? Is is just an AA decision about a route (or even as posited above all flights between two regions) on a day-by-day basis?
I'd love to get some insight into the odds that a 55k AAnytime US-Deep SA award on a given day goes up to 75k (or worse) over the next few weeks/months.
Any insight into what is the determinant of L1 vs. L2? Is it based on loads for a particular flight? Is is just an AA decision about a route (or even as posited above all flights between two regions) on a day-by-day basis?
I'd love to get some insight into the odds that a 55k AAnytime US-Deep SA award on a given day goes up to 75k (or worse) over the next few weeks/months.
Oct 27, 2015, 11:22 am
#97
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,746
Do Economy AAnytime Award Tix Have last Seat Availability?
I always assumed that the AAnytime awards have better availability than MilesAAver, but do not have last seat availability.
I booked an AAnytime domestic ticket yesterday and when my wife tried to book a revenue ticket on the same flight it was sold out. I spoke with AA reservations, and was told that on an AAnytime award you get last seat availability,
So, was she correct, and you get last seat availability? Or are the AAnytime awards also capacity controlled, just at a higher level of availability?
I booked an AAnytime domestic ticket yesterday and when my wife tried to book a revenue ticket on the same flight it was sold out. I spoke with AA reservations, and was told that on an AAnytime award you get last seat availability,
So, was she correct, and you get last seat availability? Or are the AAnytime awards also capacity controlled, just at a higher level of availability?
Oct 27, 2015, 11:24 am
#99
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
AAnytime books into Y, so if there is still Y left for sale, you can book it. There have been reports of AA willing to oversell the flight to someone paying full Y without corresponding award availability, but that's relatively rare.
Oct 27, 2015, 11:38 am
#102
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,746
You don't know how good you have it here at AA.
I stopped doing the mileage thing - mileage runs, etc., when Delta changed their system to $$ earning last year. I am still a Million Miler on Delta.
Looking today on AA for one-way flights from SFO to JFK. There are 3 options at 12.5K miles. Or, for 20K, I can have any flight I want.
The cheapest option on Delta is 32,500 in coach.
I stopped doing the mileage thing - mileage runs, etc., when Delta changed their system to $$ earning last year. I am still a Million Miler on Delta.
Looking today on AA for one-way flights from SFO to JFK. There are 3 options at 12.5K miles. Or, for 20K, I can have any flight I want.
The cheapest option on Delta is 32,500 in coach.
Oct 27, 2015, 1:41 pm
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
You don't know how good you have it here at AA.
I stopped doing the mileage thing - mileage runs, etc., when Delta changed their system to $$ earning last year. I am still a Million Miler on Delta.
Looking today on AA for one-way flights from SFO to JFK. There are 3 options at 12.5K miles. Or, for 20K, I can have any flight I want.
The cheapest option on Delta is 32,500 in coach.
I stopped doing the mileage thing - mileage runs, etc., when Delta changed their system to $$ earning last year. I am still a Million Miler on Delta.
Looking today on AA for one-way flights from SFO to JFK. There are 3 options at 12.5K miles. Or, for 20K, I can have any flight I want.
The cheapest option on Delta is 32,500 in coach.
Last-seat availability is great, the pricing may not be. 20K for SFO-JFK is pretty good. But just for grins, try looking for a one way coach award seat on AA the Sunday after Thanksgiving, out of DFW to, well, pretty much any domestic destination, and see how many miles they want...
Oct 27, 2015, 3:00 pm
#104
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 403
Definitely is last-seat availability. I booked the last F ticket as an AAnytime award on the last US Airways flight.
What I'm not sure about is: EXPs can force an oversell by buying a Y ticket. Not sure if that applies to AAnytime awards.
What I'm not sure about is: EXPs can force an oversell by buying a Y ticket. Not sure if that applies to AAnytime awards.
Dec 13, 2015, 8:26 pm
#105
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: AA
Posts: 10
After falling off my chair seeing that MSP-ORD on 12/26 was 50k miles per person in economy (obviously I hadn't heard any news of the changes) I called the EXP desk to see if I was going crazy.
The agent told me there are 5 levels of AAnytime Awards (so apparently three more beyond the two shown on the website), and had no idea why the website only showed 2 levels.
The agent told me there are 5 levels of AAnytime Awards (so apparently three more beyond the two shown on the website), and had no idea why the website only showed 2 levels.