Jun 10, 2015, 4:39 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Phantom Award Availability Issues with AA Partners
A number of members report "phantom" award availability using partners' websites to search for AAdvantage awards. BA may have the most reports, but that could be because it's used more than JL or QF. Try using other partner web sites, or one of the travel tools, ExpertFlyer (offers five day trial periods) or KVS.
See:
[b]oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on
and
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance, discussion
A number of members report "phantom" award availability using partners' websites to search for AAdvantage awards. BA may have the most reports, but that could be because it's used more than JL or QF. Try using other partner web sites, or one of the travel tools, ExpertFlyer (offers five day trial periods) or KVS.
See:
[b]oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on
and
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance, discussion
Phantom / false AA award availability with AA partners (master thd)
Dec 25, 2019, 11:44 am
#226
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM PP, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,000
JL award shows availability on AA.com but is unbookable
The past two days, AA.com has been showing Y availability on SFO-HND-CTS (Jan 10). Alaska's website also shows this space. However, AAgents cannot book it. Gold desk sees what AA.com shows but also can't book. EXP desk claims only the SFO-HND leg is available.
If the HND-CTS leg is available, it is being made available only as a married segment. What's the cause of this problem and is the award actually available?
This is the error message I get after attempting to purchase the ticket:
If the HND-CTS leg is available, it is being made available only as a married segment. What's the cause of this problem and is the award actually available?
This is the error message I get after attempting to purchase the ticket:
Choose a different flight or fare
We're sorry but at least one of the flights or fares you chose is no longer available.
Dec 25, 2019, 7:25 pm
#227
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
The past two days, AA.com has been showing Y availability on SFO-HND-CTS (Jan 10). Alaska's website also shows this space. However, AAgents cannot book it. Gold desk sees what AA.com shows but also can't book. EXP desk claims only the SFO-HND leg is available.
If the HND-CTS leg is available, it is being made available only as a married segment. What's the cause of this problem and is the award actually available?
If the HND-CTS leg is available, it is being made available only as a married segment. What's the cause of this problem and is the award actually available?
[KVS Tool 9.6.0/Diamond - Awards/JL-OneWorld/US]
Code:
SFO San Francisco Intl CA US [KSFO] CTS Sapporo Chitose JP [RJCC] FRI 10 Jan 2020 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ JL 1 SFO 14:25 HND 18:45 +1 773 0 FS0 CS0 WS0 YS5 -> JL 531 HND 20:40 +1 CTS 22:15 +1 777 0 YS1 JL 1 SFO 14:25 HND 18:45 +1 773 0 FS0 CS0 WS0 YS1 -> JL 501 HND 06:30 +2 CTS 08:05 +2 73H 0 YS9 JL 1 SFO 14:25 HND 18:45 +1 773 0 FS0 CS0 WS0 YS5 -> JL 503 HND 07:30 +2 CTS 09:00 +2 359 0 YS9 JL 1 SFO 14:25 HND 18:45 +1 773 0 FS0 CS0 WS0 YS3 -> JL 201 HND 07:30 +2 NGO 08:30 +2 73H 0 YS9 -> JL 3103 NGO 09:10 +2 CTS 10:50 +2 73H 0 YS9 JL 1 SFO 14:25 HND 18:45 +1 773 0 FS0 CS0 WS0 YS3 -> JL 201 HND 07:30 +2 NGO 08:30 +2 73H 0 YS9 -> JL 3105 NGO 11:30 +2 CTS 13:10 +2 73H 0 YS9 JL 1 SFO 14:25 HND 18:45 +1 773 0 FS0 CS0 WS0 YS3 -> JL 201 HND 07:30 +2 NGO 08:30 +2 73H 0 YS9 -> JL 3107 NGO 13:00 +2 CTS 14:45 +2 73H 0 YS1 AA 890 SFO 06:00 LAX 07:35 319 0 YS7 -> JL 69 LAX 12:45 KIX 18:15 +1 789 0 YS4 -> JL 2001 ITM 08:00 +2 CTS 09:55 +2 73H 0 YS8 AA 922 SFO 09:23 LAX 11:03 738 0 FS7 YS7 -> JL 69 LAX 12:45 KIX 18:15 +1 789 0 YS4 -> JL 2001 ITM 08:00 +2 CTS 09:55 +2 73H 0 YS8
Jan 25, 2022, 6:54 pm
#229
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,084
Well some things never change.I tried over 10 business class award tickets with Qantas over the past 2 days on varying dates.Can not get one seat.
Shows availability but says nothing is available when I try to book it.Why doesn't the system update? Once unavailable
Its been the same for days and still shows available.
Its really misleading as it is frustrating.
Have fallen for the scam numerous times sadly.I now don't release space when I see something as I know the website can't be trusted
Wonder where the fault lies Qantas or American?
Shows availability but says nothing is available when I try to book it.Why doesn't the system update? Once unavailable
Its been the same for days and still shows available.
Its really misleading as it is frustrating.
Have fallen for the scam numerous times sadly.I now don't release space when I see something as I know the website can't be trusted
Wonder where the fault lies Qantas or American?
Jan 27, 2022, 12:37 pm
#230
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: USA
Programs: LH Sen, UA Platinum, AA Platinum
Posts: 3
Same story for me trying to book one way from Australia to LAX or NYC. Shows 3 sets available but not available when I try to book it. Calling AA agents has not been helpful. On their end, they do not see any availability on Qantas and so cannot book it. Clearly a problem with AA website showing either phantom availability or its failure to secure the booking through Qantas.
It has been extremely frustrating and tiresome. At least on United or Singapore airline, there are no such dramas.
It has been extremely frustrating and tiresome. At least on United or Singapore airline, there are no such dramas.
Jan 27, 2022, 1:22 pm
#231
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,084
Same story for me trying to book one way from Australia to LAX or NYC. Shows 3 sets available but not available when I try to book it. Calling AA agents has not been helpful. On their end, they do not see any availability on Qantas and so cannot book it. Clearly a problem with AA website showing either phantom availability or its failure to secure the booking through Qantas.
It has been extremely frustrating and tiresome. At least on United or Singapore airline, there are no such dramas.
It has been extremely frustrating and tiresome. At least on United or Singapore airline, there are no such dramas.
Especially when they have no inventory in the first place
But no it keeps showing for days and weeks as available.It also extends to The Alaska Airline platform as well sadly
Wonder who is responsible for this One World information management aberration.
Mar 16, 2022, 5:32 pm
#232
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 138
AA showing phantom awards DFW to Mad
Tried any October award flight on IB from DFW to MAD and all failed. AA rep checked & confirmed phantoms flights. Can they do this for months? I did ask same question on Iberia thread but should AA either fix or drop flights from schedule?
Apr 17, 2022, 7:03 am
#233
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Diamond, BW Diamond Select, Accor Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 4,228
AA is showing a variety of MH results in award searches, any of which fails if you attempt to book. AA web support is useless, claiming that they don't see the availability and being totally clueless about why aa.com shows availability that they don't see.
Apr 19, 2022, 11:32 pm
#234
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SEA (previous locations: DTW, TLV, EWR, BOS)
Programs: AS: 75K; DL/NW: Plat; DL SC: Lifetime; Hyatt: Diamond; HH: Gold; SPG: Plat;
Posts: 3,383
This problem is still going on. MH award showing wide open on AA.com, but not bookable. Haven't called AA yet, but I already know what the outcome of that call will be...
Apr 20, 2022, 5:20 am
#235
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,084
Fake phony phantom award seat availability has been going on for years and American does nothing with the cancer spreading on its website
Just another reason I’ve lost trust doing business with them
Just another reason I’ve lost trust doing business with them
May 7, 2022, 6:09 pm
#237
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
May 7, 2022, 7:49 pm
#238
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,084
It’s smart to show fake availability as you are more apt to engage in earning miles when you think there are award seats out there
Then when you pull the trigger it’s to late. Classic Gotcha!Fooled u!
Then when you pull the trigger it’s to late. Classic Gotcha!Fooled u!
May 7, 2022, 8:00 pm
#239
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I saw this with NRT-KUL-SGN on business class on Malaysian. The web page shows business class all the way through but it would not book. When I called the EXP desk the agent said she had business class for NRT-KUL but only economy for KUL-SGN (which we booked, with the voluntary downgrade). So it seems like (at least in this case) the agents see what's actually available and the web page shows something else.
May 11, 2022, 2:45 am
#240
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,031
Pissed.