Jan 1, 2015, 8:43 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST
This is the ARCHIVE through 2015 for older posts from the MileSAAver / SAAver Award Availability - Help, Assistance & Discussion (consolidated) thread.
This wikipost can be edited by members with 90 days' tenure and 90 posts; wiki contents may be printed by using the
(lower right wiki corner).
Other useful resources include:
MileSAAver / SAAver award reduction / scarcity >= Aug 2011 onward (consolidated)
oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on
Help with British Airways / BA surcharge / YQ (AA award on BA, consolidated)
UK APD / Air Passenger Duty charged for UK departures
This is the ARCHIVE through 2015 for older posts from the MileSAAver / SAAver Award Availability - Help, Assistance & Discussion (consolidated) thread.
Some of you might have found your thread merged into this "consolidated" thread. If your desire is to become thoroughly familiar with the knowledge that has been accumulated about the process for acquiring MileSAAver awards feel free to read this entire thread. If you only want the assistance from those who have the knowledge your request has been merged at the end. Feel free to wait for a forthcoming answer.
If you have reached this thread by using the search process you have the same choices as above. Read the thread and become knowledgeable or post at the end and wait for a forthcoming answer.
thanks
~magic111
If you have reached this thread by using the search process you have the same choices as above. Read the thread and become knowledgeable or post at the end and wait for a forthcoming answer.
thanks
~magic111
This wikipost can be edited by members with 90 days' tenure and 90 posts; wiki contents may be printed by using the
(lower right wiki corner).Other useful resources include:
MileSAAver / SAAver award reduction / scarcity >= Aug 2011 onward (consolidated)
oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on
Help with British Airways / BA surcharge / YQ (AA award on BA, consolidated)
UK APD / Air Passenger Duty charged for UK departures
ARCHIVE: 2009-2015 MileSAAver / SAAver Award Availability Help etc.
May 22, 2013, 3:10 pm
#3706
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,837
Since you are willing to pay the Anytime mileage price, your choice is actually very simple:
Book the more expensive anytime now, and monitor availability over time. If and when saver business opens up, call AA to upgrade the award. AA has a generous policy that will waive the change fee if you are upgrading the cabin of the award, so you will get an upgrade on your award and still get some miles back in your account.
Book the more expensive anytime now, and monitor availability over time. If and when saver business opens up, call AA to upgrade the award. AA has a generous policy that will waive the change fee if you are upgrading the cabin of the award, so you will get an upgrade on your award and still get some miles back in your account.
Why redeem now when you can do so later? Aren't you potentially taking a seat that might be converted into saver availability?
May 22, 2013, 3:30 pm
#3707
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,731
I doubt the taking of the seat in coach will affect business award too much. Theoretically yes, but practically unless the flight is close to sold out, the two cabins shouldn't be too entangled.
May 22, 2013, 4:28 pm
#3708
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 56
Yes that would be part of the problem, wife is afraid we will not make it home.
Will go ahead and book the anytime's this weekend for the peace of mind and hope some savver business's open up.
Will go ahead and book the anytime's this weekend for the peace of mind and hope some savver business's open up.
May 23, 2013, 8:12 am
#3709
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage, United
Posts: 5
Convert previously booked flight to award?
Hey guys,
I haven't booked the flight yet, but I'm considering booking a flight now for January DFW-SJU. I'm doing a lot of work travel this summer and I want to use miles that I accumulate this summer to book an award ticket. But there is a single flight that is the perfect time frame for our cruise.
Question: Can I book the flight now and then in a few months convert it to an award ticket? Or cancel the tickets and book a seperate award ticket? Well, I know I can do this...but what fees will be associated?
Thanks,
Carson
I haven't booked the flight yet, but I'm considering booking a flight now for January DFW-SJU. I'm doing a lot of work travel this summer and I want to use miles that I accumulate this summer to book an award ticket. But there is a single flight that is the perfect time frame for our cruise.
Question: Can I book the flight now and then in a few months convert it to an award ticket? Or cancel the tickets and book a seperate award ticket? Well, I know I can do this...but what fees will be associated?
Thanks,
Carson
May 23, 2013, 8:17 am
#3710
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
May 23, 2013, 9:27 am
#3711
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
They are that rare vs. United, such that I no longer fly AA on paid fares if I can help it. I consider that AA's miles are worth half of UA's miles because I'd need to buy an AAnytime award on AA. UA saver award space is automatically released anywhere between several days and 3 hours ahead of flight time unless the flight is essentially sold out. AA doesn't do that.
May 23, 2013, 9:34 am
#3712
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 488
They are that rare vs. United, such that I no longer fly AA on paid fares if I can help it. I consider that AA's miles are worth half of UA's miles because I'd need to buy an AAnytime award on AA. UA saver award space is automatically released anywhere between several days and 3 hours ahead of flight time unless the flight is essentially sold out. AA doesn't do that.
May 23, 2013, 12:05 pm
#3713
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 113
Hi all, trying to finish my RTW itinerary and having trouble finding LAN availability from LIM to LAX in Business. Awardnexus and BA show nothing, AA shows LIM-DFW-LAX on AA at first class aanytime. Ideally i'd like direct flight, but as of now as long as i get to LAX and keeping me in zone 7 for explorer chart would be great. Im seeing things like LIM-mex-lax, any other suggestions? thanks
May 23, 2013, 12:36 pm
#3714
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,584
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
You're limited to SAAver-seat availability, regardless of carrier. AAnytime award seats on AA cannot be booked on an Explorer award.
Originally Posted by goober153
Hi all, trying to finish my RTW itinerary and having trouble finding LAN availability from LIM to LAX in Business. Awardnexus and BA show nothing, AA shows LIM-DFW-LAX on AA at first class aanytime. Ideally i'd like direct flight, but as of now as long as i get to LAX and keeping me in zone 7 for explorer chart would be great. Im seeing things like LIM-mex-lax, any other suggestions? thanks
May 23, 2013, 12:41 pm
#3715
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Mundelein, Il
Programs: Executive Platinum
Posts: 482
They are that rare vs. United, such that I no longer fly AA on paid fares if I can help it. I consider that AA's miles are worth half of UA's miles because I'd need to buy an AAnytime award on AA. UA saver award space is automatically released anywhere between several days and 3 hours ahead of flight time unless the flight is essentially sold out. AA doesn't do that.
May 23, 2013, 1:39 pm
#3716
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
This is useful primarily for domestic leisure travel, where I do redeem award miles when the paid fare is high enough, as it often is in 2013. My United credit card even puts me in the queue for a first-class upgrade on a coach saver award, based on status. Also, United's generous SDC policy (plus or minus 24 hours) allows you to speculatively book award flights and modify the actual flights without penalty right up to flight time. You can do this for free even on paid tickets, unlike AA.
May 23, 2013, 5:55 pm
#3717
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BTV
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 486
Nyc - gru/gig
I've been monitoring award availability for <Nyc - gru/gig>. Was planning on likely booking one way GRU-NYC in business class June '14 for world cup. Up until recently there has been great availability 9-11 months out on this route. But all of the sudden it's all gone! Is AA scrapping awards in anticipation of high demand for world cup? Or is this just typically award fluctuation? I don't have a lot of experience redeeming on AA so just curious...
Last edited by Microwave; May 24, 2013 at 5:23 am Reason: Added the route
May 23, 2013, 6:07 pm
#3718
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA/Punta del Este, UY
Programs: AS 75K, AA EXP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 919
Assuming I know the program, you are worried about something too early. I'd suggest you wait until the appropriate time when the booking window opens, and then call AA and see what is available. Recently I couldn't find what I wanted on line, but a phone call solved my problems. Also, what is your AA status?
May 23, 2013, 6:10 pm
#3719
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BTV
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 486
Thanks. No status. Miles from CCs.
May 24, 2013, 12:15 am
#3720
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
There's lots of reasons AA RM may decide to release or reduce award inventory on any particular fight. We don't know what most of these are. All you can do is consistently monitor the award inventory for openings, if there is currently none on the flights you want. Not much point in doing that before the window opens, IMO.