Last edit by: JDiver
Requests for MileSAAver inventory from RM / QMAX limitations
As of 8 April 2014, AA was said to no longer permitting telephone agents make requests for award inventory to be released. This used to be an undocumented benefit for EXPs and was a request to Revenue Management via the QMAX system. This was in error.
slight clarification:
The QMAX Shopping Requests guidelines have been modified to reflect the correct policy. The only scenarios that apply when shopping via QMAX are: This includes Z/U/T inventories. See AADAVAIL for guidelines.
The automated system will have an immediate answer and/or PNR documentation either confirming or denying the shopping request. If the above scenarios are denied, contact RSD for assistance. QMAX Appeals Requests is still being reviewed.
- Update 1710CT/23MAY QSDLFC
The QMAX Shopping Requests guidelines have been modified to reflect the correct policy. The only scenarios that apply when shopping via QMAX are:
- To complete a party
- To complete an itinerary
- Schedule Changes
- Medical or Death
- To correct AA error
The automated system will have an immediate answer and/or PNR documentation either confirming or denying the shopping request. If the above scenarios are denied, contact RSD for assistance. QMAX Appeals Requests is still being reviewed.
Updated 16 Jun 2017
Requests for MileSAAver inventory from RM / QMAX limitations
#166
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,497
My experience is that much depends on how far out the flight date is, and what the loads are. RM used to be good about releasing award space to complete an itinerary or party, even 11 months out, and even on transcon. Now, JFK-LAX is quite difficult, and many flights more than 10 days away is hard. For flights within 10 days, RM has been willing to open space but rarely on the flights I want (e.g., arriving on CX or QF or EY, they won't give me space on a flight that leaves 3-4 hours after I land, but may on flights that are 7-9 hours later).
#167
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
#168
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,497
Success but
HUACA works! Tried another agent, able to request a Y seat (T class) for AA1096 through RM. This saves me at least 6 hours of additional connecting flights. Still, I'd hope AA operates more BOS-JFK AND release more award spaces.
#169
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ORD, MIA
Programs: AA EXP, JL JGC, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 382
Had another recent experience with this (and a couple of denied requests in the past as well).
On an award ticket JFK-SFO-asia, there were no T/U/Z class at all on any of the nonstop JFK-SFO routes on the day that I needed, even with F7 A7...J7...Y7 Q7 S7 O7 on all flights. I said I was willing to voluntary downgrade all the way to coach. Requested QMax, agent did some typing, and said no. I was also told that most of these QMax requests are denied (???). I had a super inconvenient 6am JFK-PHX-SFO-asia ticketed in the meantime. Waited until exactly a week before departure, when virtually every single JFK-SFO flight on the A321T had Z class. Changed to that no problem.
Points to be learned:
1) QMax requests don't always work. I am traveling with a companion, and completing a trip/completing a party with confirmed award space on the tpac flight doesn't seem to have influence on the request itself. But then again, these were never a guarantee to begin with so I guess this point is pointless..
2) JFK-LAX/SFO will have a huge amount of F award space available around 7 days before departure. 7 days seems to be a good rule for now, at least for this route.
On an award ticket JFK-SFO-asia, there were no T/U/Z class at all on any of the nonstop JFK-SFO routes on the day that I needed, even with F7 A7...J7...Y7 Q7 S7 O7 on all flights. I said I was willing to voluntary downgrade all the way to coach. Requested QMax, agent did some typing, and said no. I was also told that most of these QMax requests are denied (???). I had a super inconvenient 6am JFK-PHX-SFO-asia ticketed in the meantime. Waited until exactly a week before departure, when virtually every single JFK-SFO flight on the A321T had Z class. Changed to that no problem.
Points to be learned:
1) QMax requests don't always work. I am traveling with a companion, and completing a trip/completing a party with confirmed award space on the tpac flight doesn't seem to have influence on the request itself. But then again, these were never a guarantee to begin with so I guess this point is pointless..
2) JFK-LAX/SFO will have a huge amount of F award space available around 7 days before departure. 7 days seems to be a good rule for now, at least for this route.
#170
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,490
Part of the reason could be that AA imposes a $75 award processing fee (online as well) for ticketing less than 21 days prior to departure (waived for EXP, PLT, GLD using miles from their account).
#171
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,928
#174
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP (LT Plat 2MM), Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat75, UA1K
Posts: 1,248
Currently booked ORD-DFW-DOH-MLE on AA/QR in F. Just saw the Guest Seats just opened up on LHR-AUH on EY and called to try to change booking to ORD-LHR-AUH-MLE. Better schedule, more direct and a chance to be in The Apartment. AAgent could get the EY space but said only (1) Z seat available ORD-LHR. Asked if she could request the additional Z space through Revenue Management and was told to just keep checking. As our dates are pretty locked in, is there any other way I could make this request?
#176
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BOS, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP MM, UA Plat, DL Silver, SPG Titanium
Posts: 3,946
Was just denied even making a QMAX request for LAX-LAS on an itinerary that is currently DAC-HKG-LAX.
"they don't even look at them anymore"
"they don't even look at them anymore"
#177
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
#178
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BOS, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP MM, UA Plat, DL Silver, SPG Titanium
Posts: 3,946