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
May 6, 2014, 10:49 am
#106
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: HND
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 1,230
Probably worth noting that all along a few members also reported in the thread that they were able to make QMAX requests, though we can also decide to not let facts stand in the way of declarative statements.
Also, I noticed in the header that it describes QMAX requests as only available to EXPs, I've definitely made them and had them granted when I was PLT.
Also, I noticed in the header that it describes QMAX requests as only available to EXPs, I've definitely made them and had them granted when I was PLT.
May 6, 2014, 11:17 am
#107
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I hadn't noticed that-- you're 100% right on that, QMAX absolutely never was and isn't now limited to EXPs. That was more confusing-with-expanded-inventory.
May 6, 2014, 11:30 am
#108
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Someone very helpfully PMd to remind me that sukn later added this clarification:
And that is a big clarification. However, I also believe it to be innacuate as, clearly, was the original report that "QMAX is gone"
The "denied, denied, denied" is clearly, IMO, not applicable to all members as this portion reveals:
But the only actual, confirmed limitation added to Qmax in this recent change was the elimination of consideration of request for release of -T- inventory. Certainly well within the realm of possibility that restrictions-- maybe even severe restrictions-- on what will get released and when went in at the same time-- no idea though on that aside from the quoted portion above.
I have PMd mods with the full document.
The "denied, denied, denied" is clearly, IMO, not applicable to all members as this portion reveals:
Also, if a customer is an Elite member and/or fulfills other profitability criteria, he or she receives greater availability in QMAX.
I have PMd mods with the full document.
May 6, 2014, 5:57 pm
#109
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA & DL / SPG & HGP
Posts: 1,723
Great updates by all (thumbs up to JonNYC). It would be good to see some follow-up datapoint/posts noting Plat/EXPs that requested a QMAX queuing for an inventory restriction override for non-T- award travel, so we have positive proof of it still working.
May 6, 2014, 8:48 pm
#110
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here's the current language n TCP/TCI:
to complete a party is defined as having less award inventory available than the number of people traveling on the award. At least one applicable Z/U/T* seat must be available prior to requesting an exception to complete a party.
When sending requests to complete a party, queue to QMAX.
If the request is denied then send to the appeal queue, documenting the other PNR your party is traveling with. Shopping is not necessary.
To Complete An Itinerary
Must have at least half of itinerary confirmed
AA feeder space to/from an AA or other airline partner international confirmed flight.
When sending requests to complete a party, queue to QMAX.
If the request is denied then send to the appeal queue, documenting the other PNR your party is traveling with. Shopping is not necessary.
To Complete An Itinerary
Must have at least half of itinerary confirmed
AA feeder space to/from an AA or other airline partner international confirmed flight.
May 7, 2014, 6:38 am
#111
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
I called reservations last night and explained my situation, and asked for her to make a request to RM to open up Z on my preferred flights. The agent said "no problem," and put me on hold for about 10 min. When she came back, she was very apologetic and informed me that it was denied. FWIW, I've never made a request to RM and had it come back anything other than "denied."
So there's my datapoint. Not the result I was hoping for, but at least my request wasn't flat out refused.
May 7, 2014, 7:59 am
#112
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Okay, I have a datapoint to contribute. My situation: traveling PDX>BOS with companion in F, me paid, her award. Have Z award via ORD on hold for her, but prefer routing via DFW (but no Z there)
I called reservations last night and explained my situation, and asked for her to make a request to RM to open up Z on my preferred flights. The agent said "no problem," and put me on hold for about 10 min. When she came back, she was very apologetic and informed me that it was denied. FWIW, I've never made a request to RM and had it come back anything other than "denied."
So there's my datapoint. Not the result I was hoping for, but at least my request wasn't flat out refused.
I called reservations last night and explained my situation, and asked for her to make a request to RM to open up Z on my preferred flights. The agent said "no problem," and put me on hold for about 10 min. When she came back, she was very apologetic and informed me that it was denied. FWIW, I've never made a request to RM and had it come back anything other than "denied."
So there's my datapoint. Not the result I was hoping for, but at least my request wasn't flat out refused.
more restrictive/ more tied to member's individual profile/ less overall regardless of profitability/etc. -OR- simply/mostly "no more -T-" and that some agents either misread the memo or "took the ball and ran with it.." as it were when they started informing members "no more qmax."
Further, important to point out that both before and after the change, most members should expect to get denied most of the time on most requests-- again, that's unchanged.
May 7, 2014, 8:27 am
#113
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: HND
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 1,230
Since that's exactly the datapoint I provided a few weeks ago, just reinforces what was likely happening all along.
The real gamerchanger will be an example of someone making such a request and having it met!
The real gamerchanger will be an example of someone making such a request and having it met!
May 7, 2014, 10:00 am
#114
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May 7, 2014, 10:03 am
#115
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I had not noted/noticed this part before:
To Complete An Itinerary
Must have at least half of itinerary confirmed
AA feeder space to/from an AA or other airline partner international confirmed flight.
...To Complete a Party (TCP) is not part of QMAX logic, so if the request is denied, send the PNR to the Appeals queue, documenting that it is to complete a party or to complete an itinerary.
Must have at least half of itinerary confirmed
AA feeder space to/from an AA or other airline partner international confirmed flight.
...To Complete a Party (TCP) is not part of QMAX logic, so if the request is denied, send the PNR to the Appeals queue, documenting that it is to complete a party or to complete an itinerary.
May 7, 2014, 10:23 am
#117
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But it does seem to read that way, and-- only now that i think about it-- would seem to make some sense as well.
May 7, 2014, 11:21 am
#118
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
OK, so I tried - have wife confirmed in Z on her own PNR, with connection from BA, I am currently confirmed in Z with an overnight, trying to get on the same flight. Request was denied initially, I can call back and try to invoke the appeal process and have her PNR listed? Will give it a go and see how it plays out. Cabin only has two seats taken right now in F.
May 7, 2014, 11:30 am
#119
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: HND
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 1,230
This forum is a destination for people to learn facts so we should provide those when we have them and when a situation is fluid, we should be characterizing it as such for clarity.
Last edited by tylerdurden4543; May 7, 2014 at 12:11 pm
May 7, 2014, 12:33 pm
#120
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,746
There were many reports of agents telling people it was completely gone, too.