Apr 28, 2014, 2:43 am
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
Apr 19, 2014, 5:43 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA EXP, AA LT Gold, SPG Plat 75
Posts: 889
someone mentioned on another thread the request to have the agent phone revenue mgmt desk for some change (cannot recall if it were for an award ticket or other change) and the agent nicely responded they were basically prohibited from doing so anymore.
lovely changes for the top tier of loyal flyers!
lovely changes for the top tier of loyal flyers!
I have a business class milesaaver ticket booked on RJ from ORD-AMM this summer and couldn't find a nonstop from DFW-ORD for my departure date (only connections). So currently, I have a connecting flight DFW-XXX-ORD in first as part of this saaver award.
I asked the EXP agent to ask for a voluntary downgrade to get DFW-ORD as a nonstop and was told flat-out "We are not allowed to ask anymore."
Apr 19, 2014, 5:54 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
Are you saying that there was T availability but they wouldn't give you a voluntary downgrade? If that's the case they may need to call the rate desk if it doesn't automatically price as a single award, but they shouldn't need to call RM.
Apr 19, 2014, 6:01 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA EXP, AA LT Gold, SPG Plat 75
Posts: 889
Looks like I am flying in F, although taking the scenic route to ORD.
Apr 19, 2014, 6:21 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
In my experience, that's been the case for some time. The EXP desk won't request (manual or automated) for inventory to be released until the week of the flight. If no award inventory opens up in the meantime and there are still seats open on the week of your flight, I think you would have more luck asking for a QMAX request at that time. Of course you should ask for Z as well as T.
Apr 19, 2014, 6:53 pm
#20
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I'd most definitely agree that a request that's both a) several months out, and, b) for summer travel, would almost invariably never be granted regardless of if the rumor of this change has any valid or not.
Apr 19, 2014, 7:27 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,385
Not exactly on-topic, but a data point FWIW.
Just about 3 weeks ago, my partner (EXP) was flying MIA-LGA on a paid flight and her parents were flying MIA-RDU-LGA on an award flight on the same day. Even though there was no T available on the nonstop, an EXP agent was able to put both parents on the same flight as my partner (I assume under the "completing the party" classification). This was done on the day before departure.
Of course, this incident may have pre-dated the new policy, assuming there is one.
Just about 3 weeks ago, my partner (EXP) was flying MIA-LGA on a paid flight and her parents were flying MIA-RDU-LGA on an award flight on the same day. Even though there was no T available on the nonstop, an EXP agent was able to put both parents on the same flight as my partner (I assume under the "completing the party" classification). This was done on the day before departure.
Of course, this incident may have pre-dated the new policy, assuming there is one.
Apr 19, 2014, 7:49 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton
Posts: 3,191
From what I understand:
1) QMAX is gone
2) If SAAver is not available, you now just have to go to the next award level -- Eagle rating no longer plays role
3) The only time an agent can make a manual appeal to RM now is for Upgrade awards, and for that you have to be EXP, the flight has to be inside of two weeks, and the loads need to be reasonable so that an appeal might even be considered
4) Certain flights are now overbook inhibited so agents can't overbook award inventory even if they wanted to override the system to complete the party or grab a leg on a complicated itinerary.
1) QMAX is gone
2) If SAAver is not available, you now just have to go to the next award level -- Eagle rating no longer plays role
3) The only time an agent can make a manual appeal to RM now is for Upgrade awards, and for that you have to be EXP, the flight has to be inside of two weeks, and the loads need to be reasonable so that an appeal might even be considered
4) Certain flights are now overbook inhibited so agents can't overbook award inventory even if they wanted to override the system to complete the party or grab a leg on a complicated itinerary.
Apr 19, 2014, 8:18 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
Not exactly on-topic, but a data point FWIW.
Just about 3 weeks ago, my partner (EXP) was flying MIA-LGA on a paid flight and her parents were flying MIA-RDU-LGA on an award flight on the same day. Even though there was no T available on the nonstop, an EXP agent was able to put both parents on the same flight as my partner (I assume under the "completing the party" classification). This was done on the day before departure.
Of course, this incident may have pre-dated the new policy, assuming there is one.
Just about 3 weeks ago, my partner (EXP) was flying MIA-LGA on a paid flight and her parents were flying MIA-RDU-LGA on an award flight on the same day. Even though there was no T available on the nonstop, an EXP agent was able to put both parents on the same flight as my partner (I assume under the "completing the party" classification). This was done on the day before departure.
Of course, this incident may have pre-dated the new policy, assuming there is one.
Apr 19, 2014, 8:33 pm
#24
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
From what I understand:
1) QMAX is gone
2) If SAAver is not available, you now just have to go to the next award level -- Eagle rating no longer plays role
3) The only time an agent can make a manual appeal to RM now is for Upgrade awards, and for that you have to be EXP, the flight has to be inside of two weeks, and the loads need to be reasonable so that an appeal might even be considered
1) QMAX is gone
2) If SAAver is not available, you now just have to go to the next award level -- Eagle rating no longer plays role
3) The only time an agent can make a manual appeal to RM now is for Upgrade awards, and for that you have to be EXP, the flight has to be inside of two weeks, and the loads need to be reasonable so that an appeal might even be considered
Apr 20, 2014, 12:03 am
#25
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Join Date: Jul 2001
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Posts: 102,095
From what I understand:
1) QMAX is gone
2) If SAAver is not available, you now just have to go to the next award level -- Eagle rating no longer plays role
3) The only time an agent can make a manual appeal to RM now is for Upgrade awards, and for that you have to be EXP, the flight has to be inside of two weeks, and the loads need to be reasonable so that an appeal might even be considered
4) Certain flights are now overbook inhibited so agents can't overbook award inventory even if they wanted to override the system to complete the party or grab a leg on a complicated itinerary.
1) QMAX is gone
2) If SAAver is not available, you now just have to go to the next award level -- Eagle rating no longer plays role
3) The only time an agent can make a manual appeal to RM now is for Upgrade awards, and for that you have to be EXP, the flight has to be inside of two weeks, and the loads need to be reasonable so that an appeal might even be considered
4) Certain flights are now overbook inhibited so agents can't overbook award inventory even if they wanted to override the system to complete the party or grab a leg on a complicated itinerary.
For some years now, the trend seemed to be that the RM favors were harder to come by, and I had largely given up even asking. This seems to be a move even further in that direction, if things have moved further in that direction as anecdotal outcomes may suggest.
Apr 20, 2014, 4:15 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
I was told by an agent several weeks ago they have received a directive to no longer request space but rather offer other available options. AA is becoming HPdbaAA. But then again if you called the USAIR number enough you could always fund an agent to do a manual sell/hard sell of partner award space maybe this will be no different.
Apr 20, 2014, 7:40 am
#28
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
Depends on who ya ask. Obviously there is/was a detailed, precise workaround for special consideration as detailed in the linked thread, so obviously AA fells/felt there's a need or they wouldn't have the process.
Theres been no manual call necessary (or even allowed, really) for quite some time.
Theres been no manual call necessary (or even allowed, really) for quite some time.
Apr 20, 2014, 8:03 am
#29
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But as far as QMAX goes, may it R.I.P., was available to members very widely outside that group. Again, success rate being an entirely different thing.
Last edited by JonNYC; Apr 20, 2014 at 8:35 am