ARCHIVE: Expanded / additional MileSAAver award and upgrade availability for EXP
Aug 24, 2010, 6:45 pm
#121
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Smellington, NZ
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, UA 2P, Marriott LTPP
Posts: 1,453
Hmmm... maybe I better give them a call and see what's going on with my eVIP requests. I ticketed a reservation in January for LHR-DFW flight in November and immediately put in the upgrade request. Still hasn't cleared. Nor has my EZE-DFW which was purchased more recently. That flight went from J7 to J1 overnight, but I didn't see any new seats in Y open up. Must have been revenue seats sold.
Aug 24, 2010, 6:47 pm
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
I had a similar experience last month. I booked my fiancee and me to fly JFK-LHR on separate PNRs (we're flying home on different flights). ExpertFlyer was showing C1 for the outbound, so I called AA and had them upgrade my fiancee, since I knew it would be easier for me to clear the waitlist. I saw EF go from C1 to C0. I then called AA back to add my name to the waitlist, but the agent was able to clear my upgrade right away.
Cheers.
Aug 24, 2010, 6:56 pm
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
I'm surprised that they couldn't clear you both on the first call- one with the C1 and one with the hidden EXP inventory. I've had several cases of C1 and having us both booked at the same time. Granted, we're both EXP- but it should only take one EXP for that to work.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Aug 24, 2010, 9:55 pm
#124
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Hmmm... maybe I better give them a call and see what's going on with my eVIP requests. I ticketed a reservation in January for LHR-DFW flight in November and immediately put in the upgrade request. Still hasn't cleared. Nor has my EZE-DFW which was purchased more recently. That flight went from J7 to J1 overnight, but I didn't see any new seats in Y open up. Must have been revenue seats sold.
Aug 24, 2010, 9:58 pm
#125
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Aug 25, 2010, 1:26 am
#126
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,049
These days I'm seeing most SWUs clear around 2-3 days before the flight for LHR-DFW.
Occasionally earlier and sometimes less than 24 hours out, but I wouldn't expect Revenue Management to be giving up seats for special requests this far out.
Nov 7, 2010, 9:17 am
#127
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA 2 million miler; Marriott LT Titanium; Alaska 75K
Posts: 9
EXP Additional Award Inventory
I just attained EXP status for the first time. One of the additional benefits is supposed to be added inventory of award seating. I've checked several flights but don't see any difference. Can someone tell me if they have seen a difference.
Nov 7, 2010, 9:20 am
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
The expanded award availability is not viewable online - you must call and ask. I've seen it many times when expertflyer shows no C or Z or U inventory yet my requests for upgrades or award tickets are granted when I call.
Nov 7, 2010, 9:21 am
#129
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cote d'Ivoire
Programs: OW Emerald - HH Diamond
Posts: 3,418
In my experience, you need to call the EXP desk. even then, it's not guaranteed they'll find what you need. some hits; some misses.
Nov 7, 2010, 9:21 am
#130
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: OKA
Programs: AA Gold, UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 467
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you have to call into the EXP desk for them to contact revenue management to see if additional award inventory can be released. Might not be able to see it on the website.
Nov 7, 2010, 9:22 am
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
EXP agents can see the expanded inventory without contacting anyone, let alone revenue management. It's on their screens.
Nov 7, 2010, 9:22 am
#132
Join Date: May 2002
Location: SNA
Programs: STARS/LUMINOUS, PRIVE, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club
Posts: 2,612
Not true. EXP desk can look it up. The call to revenue management is an ask to see if they'll open something up in case the expanded EXP bucket isn't available.
Nov 7, 2010, 9:53 am
#133
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
only twice have i called to check on C availability for an upcoming flight and gotten it released on the phone, but both times were 3-4 days before departure when I would have expected the upgrade to clear anyway.
Every single time I have tried to get award tickets with EF showed Z0, U0 or T0, I have been turned down by RM. So far as I am concerned the "expanded MilesAAver award availability" is a myth!
Every single time I have tried to get award tickets with EF showed Z0, U0 or T0, I have been turned down by RM. So far as I am concerned the "expanded MilesAAver award availability" is a myth!
Nov 7, 2010, 10:29 am
#134
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA EXP, 1 MM, AC, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,010
Nov 7, 2010, 10:37 am
#135
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton
Posts: 3,191
only twice have i called to check on C availability for an upcoming flight and gotten it released on the phone, but both times were 3-4 days before departure when I would have expected the upgrade to clear anyway.
Every single time I have tried to get award tickets with EF showed Z0, U0 or T0, I have been turned down by RM. So far as I am concerned the "expanded MilesAAver award availability" is a myth!
Every single time I have tried to get award tickets with EF showed Z0, U0 or T0, I have been turned down by RM. So far as I am concerned the "expanded MilesAAver award availability" is a myth!
The expanded inventory is an automated function and the release of seats is obviously based on algorithms.
Anyway, since you have gotten seats released, you have benefited from the perk.