Summer Award Strategy?
Oct 24, 2017, 8:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 98
Summer Award Strategy?
I know it's early, but playing around I've seen some decent 57.5k mileage awards to Europe in the summer (biz). We are planning a trip to Northern Italy in early July. Quite a competitive time I know!
The family is 2 adults and 2 children. I see good availability for a party of 2. But not 4. Am I able to book my wife and son and then myself and other son at the same time using 2 accounts or is AA wise to that? Has anyone booked 2 tix and waited for availability to open up? Has this actually happened before? Any other tricks that may work? If it matters, looking to fly into MXP, VCE, or ZRH. Departing LAS so I have to connect. LAX, SAN, PHX, SFO, SEA are options too. Thanks!
The family is 2 adults and 2 children. I see good availability for a party of 2. But not 4. Am I able to book my wife and son and then myself and other son at the same time using 2 accounts or is AA wise to that? Has anyone booked 2 tix and waited for availability to open up? Has this actually happened before? Any other tricks that may work? If it matters, looking to fly into MXP, VCE, or ZRH. Departing LAS so I have to connect. LAX, SAN, PHX, SFO, SEA are options too. Thanks!
Oct 24, 2017, 8:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SFO or OAK
Programs: AA 1MM GLD, Hertz #1 Gold, bunch of other programs w/no status
Posts: 1,454
If you are seeing availability at the saver level on AA metal then I would suggest booking ASAP. However, you are probably seeing availability on BA and you will find rather hefty surcharges (~$1K per r/t ticket) on those awards. Just FYI in case you weren't aware.
As far as trying to book 2 awards simultaneously from different accounts because you only see availability for two, it won't work. Once one award is booked the other won't book. You can book 2 of you and then wait for 2 more to open, but it's a crapshoot. Better to book 2 of you on one set of flights and the other 2 on a different set (hopefully on the same day) and then if availability opens up on either of the two, you can move the other two for free, as AA allows free date/time changes.
As far as trying to book 2 awards simultaneously from different accounts because you only see availability for two, it won't work. Once one award is booked the other won't book. You can book 2 of you and then wait for 2 more to open, but it's a crapshoot. Better to book 2 of you on one set of flights and the other 2 on a different set (hopefully on the same day) and then if availability opens up on either of the two, you can move the other two for free, as AA allows free date/time changes.
Oct 24, 2017, 10:09 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SFO or OAK
Programs: AA 1MM GLD, Hertz #1 Gold, bunch of other programs w/no status
Posts: 1,454
Oct 25, 2017, 3:34 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Check out the resources linked in the wiki here:
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance