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, 3:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,952
Requests for MileSAAver inventory from RM / QMAX limitations
I don't recall seeing this anywhere else so I figured I'd add to the discussion.
I was calling today changing the routing on a 2 person award I have. There was a single milesaaver F seat open on the flight that I wanted to change to. In the past, if you asked nicely, EXP agents could manually request revenue management to open up additional milesaaver inventory. However, the agent informed me that they had been specifically prohibited from making such requests anymore at the same time that the new stopover rules were put in place, etc etc.
Not 100% sure that it's true but she seemed to be really on top of her game so I think this is yet another unannounced change and devaluation.
I was calling today changing the routing on a 2 person award I have. There was a single milesaaver F seat open on the flight that I wanted to change to. In the past, if you asked nicely, EXP agents could manually request revenue management to open up additional milesaaver inventory. However, the agent informed me that they had been specifically prohibited from making such requests anymore at the same time that the new stopover rules were put in place, etc etc.
Not 100% sure that it's true but she seemed to be really on top of her game so I think this is yet another unannounced change and devaluation.
Apr 19, 2014, 3:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,238
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!
Apr 19, 2014, 3:54 pm
#3
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I've taken the liberty of changing the thread title slightly to indicate this has been stated by AA employees and to indicate that this is yet another of the "April 8 Massacre" AAdvantage "enhancements".
/Moderator
/Moderator
Apr 19, 2014, 3:54 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
For clarity though, the described request has nothing whatsoever to do with "extended EXP inventory"-- that's an entirely separate thing than QMAX request (which is what's described in O.P.)
Apr 19, 2014, 3:57 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,952
Right, this. This was an F award, where extended EXP inventory does not apply. This is a manual request - presumably QMAX but I've never heard the term.
Apr 19, 2014, 4:01 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Qmax here:
http://www.travelingbetter.com/forum...7650#post37650
Apr 19, 2014, 4:05 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,680
Apr 19, 2014, 4:10 pm
#9
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
for those.
Apr 19, 2014, 4:13 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
The requests to RM to open up inventory (QMAX) have been greatly restricted for some time now. If you have a high helix rating, you might me lucky to get a request in the week before the flight.
Apr 19, 2014, 4:14 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Qmax is the (internal) name of that process.
Personally, since this is a very often-confused pair of topics (extended EP inventory vs. request to RM to open an award seat)-- I'd take "[extended]" out of the title too.
Apr 19, 2014, 4:17 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
That as well, this success rate has been "tapering down"-- pretty severely-- over the last 5 years or so. And, yes, is member-criteria-dependant as well (with Helix rating not being the only "measure" of a member-- other, even less publicized factor(s) as well.)
Apr 19, 2014, 4:31 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
4 possibilites:
1. That this is accurate-- that an edict came down; no more requests to RM-- via QMAX or otherwise. Period.
2. That no such change has taken place but AAgents just adding their own little "spin" on things, and/or don't feel like doing it and/or refusing to do it based on their perception of extreme unliklihood of success.
3. That if a given member is not "ranked" in such a way that RM would/will consider request from same, AAgents are instructed (or decide) to simplify and state "we don't do that anymore" to those members. Also, some flights are known to be inhibited from QMAX requests-- seats are never released for them.
4. A blend of 1 and 3.
I will endeavor to find out-- won't be easy of course-- but someone will "crack"
Apr 19, 2014, 5:26 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Doesn't AA's improved RM algorythim and software already take into account whether a seat is available for a sufficiently HVC? Thus, getting rid of the need to manually call someone to see if it's possible.
Apr 19, 2014, 5:35 pm
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Theres been no manual call necessary (or even allowed, really) for quite some time.