Award reduction? No AA LHR SAAver award flights less than 13 days out?
Oct 1, 2018, 2:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: TUL
Programs: AA GLD,DL,UA
Posts: 306
Award reduction? No AA LHR SAAver award flights less than 13 days out?
For the last week I've noticed that AA SAAver award seats from TUL to LHR are only available more than 13 days out. For example, today (10/1) the first seats are 10/14. Yesterday 10/13 was available, and the day before that 10/12 was available. I've seen this pattern for the last 8 days.
This appears to be an undocumented reduction in international award travel to UK (at least). In past years I've had no problem in the fall getting AA SAAver award flights through LHR even the same day as departure.
I discovered this because I first search for TUL-KBP which shows if the BA flight to KBP is available. Since BA TATL travel has taxes and fees of about $250 per OW ticket rather than $50 for AA, I then search for AA only TUL-LHR.
Has any one noticed this? Or for anyone have an explanation? I've got GOLD status. Do PLAT or EXP have better availability?
This appears to be an undocumented reduction in international award travel to UK (at least). In past years I've had no problem in the fall getting AA SAAver award flights through LHR even the same day as departure.
I discovered this because I first search for TUL-KBP which shows if the BA flight to KBP is available. Since BA TATL travel has taxes and fees of about $250 per OW ticket rather than $50 for AA, I then search for AA only TUL-LHR.
Has any one noticed this? Or for anyone have an explanation? I've got GOLD status. Do PLAT or EXP have better availability?
Oct 1, 2018, 2:58 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,480
Very weird and good observation. In spite of the constant moaning on here, sAAver economy to Europe is typically wide open from Sep to May, especially if you book short notice. I checked a few destinations from RDU and see the same thing, nothing in sAAver Y within 2 weeks, then wide open.
Ironically sAAver J has availability within 2 weeks, which leads me to (hopefully) believe this is some sort of glitch.
Ironically sAAver J has availability within 2 weeks, which leads me to (hopefully) believe this is some sort of glitch.
Oct 1, 2018, 9:34 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Is it any different if you don't select TUL as the starting point?
I would simply select Milesaver Business as that IS AVAILABLE
I would simply select Milesaver Business as that IS AVAILABLE
Oct 2, 2018, 12:05 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SBA & LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, BA Lifetime Blue, Marriott Gold, and many others
Posts: 1,152
Very weird and good observation. In spite of the constant moaning on here, sAAver economy to Europe is typically wide open from Sep to May, especially if you book short notice. I checked a few destinations from RDU and see the same thing, nothing in sAAver Y within 2 weeks, then wide open.
Ironically sAAver J has availability within 2 weeks, which leads me to (hopefully) believe this is some sort of glitch.
Ironically sAAver J has availability within 2 weeks, which leads me to (hopefully) believe this is some sort of glitch.
Oct 2, 2018, 12:26 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Very odd indeed. I've got alerts set on EF for a LHR-LAX mile saver return in J or F in late October and I was shocked to see that there wasn't even Y inventory until Oct. 23rd when I ran a scan for dates between Oct. 18th and Oct. 24th. Let's hope it's a glitch because if this is a change in availability it's a pretty radical one.
Oct 2, 2018, 5:39 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: TUL
Programs: AA GLD,DL,UA
Posts: 306
It depends on the season and schedule flexibility. I’ve done dozens of trips to Kyiv, Hawaii, and other cities in SAAver, usually in off-peak. I’m not large-framed and only do up to 5 trips per year, so Gold seat benefits help.
The benefits have decreased over the years: more miles, no gateway city stopovers, and a shooter off-peak season. The major added benefits are one-way award tickets and the 10% Citi/Barclay rebate (on the first 100K miles only). Still, Europe for 20,250 miles (10% off applied, off-peak), is quite a deal. Just don’t take BA TATL ($250 fees each way).
The benefits have decreased over the years: more miles, no gateway city stopovers, and a shooter off-peak season. The major added benefits are one-way award tickets and the 10% Citi/Barclay rebate (on the first 100K miles only). Still, Europe for 20,250 miles (10% off applied, off-peak), is quite a deal. Just don’t take BA TATL ($250 fees each way).
Oct 2, 2018, 7:24 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
For the last week I've noticed that AA SAAver award seats from TUL to LHR are only available more than 13 days out. For example, today (10/1) the first seats are 10/14. Yesterday 10/13 was available, and the day before that 10/12 was available. I've seen this pattern for the last 8 days.
This appears to be an undocumented reduction in international award travel to UK (at least).
This appears to be an undocumented reduction in international award travel to UK (at least).
Oct 2, 2018, 7:24 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,232
Um, yes, EXP's do.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s-benefits.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s-benefits.jsp
Expanded award seating availability
Executive Platinum members and 1 companion have exclusive access to additional MileSAAver award seating on American Airlines and American Eagle flights. While this is not a guarantee of available seating, it does provide more flexibility when you are traveling on a MileSAAver award. Please call the Executive Platinum service desk to access this benefit.
Executive Platinum members and 1 companion have exclusive access to additional MileSAAver award seating on American Airlines and American Eagle flights. While this is not a guarantee of available seating, it does provide more flexibility when you are traveling on a MileSAAver award. Please call the Executive Platinum service desk to access this benefit.
Oct 2, 2018, 7:43 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,010
Um, yes, EXP's do.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s-benefits.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s-benefits.jsp
Oct 2, 2018, 8:43 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Um, yes, EXP's do.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s-benefits.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s-benefits.jsp
Oct 2, 2018, 9:12 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Saver is AA's version of the original FFP, E.g., AA gave away "free tickets" which it would not likely sell.
Needless to say, that is not the program today. But, it is the essence of Saver. If there is no Saver availability, it is because AA believes that it can sell the space for more (cash or redemption). No different than cash prices.
However, with the economy on screech, look to less Saver avail. as a general matter going forward. May mean you need more flexibility as to dates, destinations, and schedules.
Needless to say, that is not the program today. But, it is the essence of Saver. If there is no Saver availability, it is because AA believes that it can sell the space for more (cash or redemption). No different than cash prices.
However, with the economy on screech, look to less Saver avail. as a general matter going forward. May mean you need more flexibility as to dates, destinations, and schedules.