"Economy Web Special" Award (dynamic price, fewer miles, more restrictions Oct 2018)
Oct 30, 2018, 12:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,663
"Economy Web Special" Award (dynamic price, fewer miles, more restrictions Oct 2018)
I haven't seen anything on here about this. I was looking at AA.com and saw this text here:
I then googled "Economy Web Special" and found this article on The Points Guy: https://thepointsguy.com/news/aa-eco...ts-5000-miles/
Evidently AA is offering certain sub-500-mile routes at 5,000 miles one way instead of 7,500 miles. Doesn't look like it will impact me any, since the only routes it applies to for now are DFW-ICT/CRP/BRO/MFE, PHX-LGB, and CLT-MLB. But thought it was worth posting here.
Unfortunately, it looks like AA has messed up the award map tool with this update. The award map now shows tons of phantom 5,000-mile availability, rendering the tool essentially useless:
This is a shame because the award map used to be a reliable way to find Saver availability to reduced-mileage destinations in order to book tickets at the 8750-mile rate.
Economy Web Special awards
Economy Web Special awards are available exclusively on aa.com and may be offered on select flights and dates for fewer miles than either the MileSAAver or AAnytime award level. Travel is in the Main Cabin, and mileage levels vary by date and flight. When available, you’ll see the applicable award level while booking your trip. Tickets that include an Economy Web Special award don’t allow changes and, while you can cancel and reinstate your miles, fees may apply.
Economy Web Special awards are available exclusively on aa.com and may be offered on select flights and dates for fewer miles than either the MileSAAver or AAnytime award level. Travel is in the Main Cabin, and mileage levels vary by date and flight. When available, you’ll see the applicable award level while booking your trip. Tickets that include an Economy Web Special award don’t allow changes and, while you can cancel and reinstate your miles, fees may apply.
Evidently AA is offering certain sub-500-mile routes at 5,000 miles one way instead of 7,500 miles. Doesn't look like it will impact me any, since the only routes it applies to for now are DFW-ICT/CRP/BRO/MFE, PHX-LGB, and CLT-MLB. But thought it was worth posting here.
Unfortunately, it looks like AA has messed up the award map tool with this update. The award map now shows tons of phantom 5,000-mile availability, rendering the tool essentially useless:
Last edited by platbrownguy; Oct 30, 2018 at 1:17 am Reason: award map
Oct 30, 2018, 4:26 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AS 100K, DL PL, B6 M3
Posts: 180
Looks like the beginning of varriable award pricing in either direction to me... How much of this "expanded" inventory will again be hidden from partners?
Last edited by firemandan9; Oct 30, 2018 at 6:36 am
Dec 21, 2018, 2:45 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 144
I was looking at award space from the US to Brazil and was surprised to see GIG at half the price.
The answer is probably no, but it doesn't hurt to ask: does anyone know if it's possible to add segments within the same destination region once one of these is placed on hold?
The answer is probably no, but it doesn't hurt to ask: does anyone know if it's possible to add segments within the same destination region once one of these is placed on hold?
Jan 2, 2019, 1:43 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,438
Looking at RDU-LHR for a few dates this year I see these "Economy Web Specials" all over the place now. For a random date in June the sAAver price is 30k, but depending on the flight selected the Economy Web Special prices as 28k/29k/31k/32.5k/33k/37k/39k/40k etc. etc.
Better than 110k AAnytime but you can see exactly where this is headed, variable award pricing here we come. Interestingly they all carry a booking code 'Y' just like AAnytime.
The good news is that for a number of dates I was looking at in June for example the Economy Web Special had options for 20-25k which is a good savings over the usual 30k for sAAver. And since it books into Y they are essentially not capacity controlled a la AAnytime space (as long as Y is available, at least it seems at the moment).
Mods should probably adjust the thread title as this is definitely not just for sub-500 mile routes anymore.
Better than 110k AAnytime but you can see exactly where this is headed, variable award pricing here we come. Interestingly they all carry a booking code 'Y' just like AAnytime.
The good news is that for a number of dates I was looking at in June for example the Economy Web Special had options for 20-25k which is a good savings over the usual 30k for sAAver. And since it books into Y they are essentially not capacity controlled a la AAnytime space (as long as Y is available, at least it seems at the moment).
Mods should probably adjust the thread title as this is definitely not just for sub-500 mile routes anymore.
Jan 2, 2019, 5:12 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,663
Looking at RDU-LHR for a few dates this year I see these "Economy Web Specials" all over the place now. For a random date in June the sAAver price is 30k, but depending on the flight selected the Economy Web Special prices as 28k/29k/31k/32.5k/33k/37k/39k/40k etc. etc.
Better than 110k AAnytime but you can see exactly where this is headed, variable award pricing here we come. Interestingly they all carry a booking code 'Y' just like AAnytime.
The good news is that for a number of dates I was looking at in June for example the Economy Web Special had options for 20-25k which is a good savings over the usual 30k for sAAver. And since it books into Y they are essentially not capacity controlled a la AAnytime space (as long as Y is available, at least it seems at the moment).
Mods should probably adjust the thread title as this is definitely not just for sub-500 mile routes anymore.
Better than 110k AAnytime but you can see exactly where this is headed, variable award pricing here we come. Interestingly they all carry a booking code 'Y' just like AAnytime.
The good news is that for a number of dates I was looking at in June for example the Economy Web Special had options for 20-25k which is a good savings over the usual 30k for sAAver. And since it books into Y they are essentially not capacity controlled a la AAnytime space (as long as Y is available, at least it seems at the moment).
Mods should probably adjust the thread title as this is definitely not just for sub-500 mile routes anymore.
This 33,000mi RDU-LHR is a nonstop one way that would otherwise cost $3k. Maybe it won't be available on shorter notice but still an excellent way to redeem for a nonstop one way TATL if it's not ordinarily available at saver rates or requires extra married segments etc.
Jan 2, 2019, 8:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
Really curious whether the no redeposit fee for exp applies to this or not. A flight I’m looking to book actually has some decent rates but I was only going to book if I had the potential to cancel without penalty. Anyone have confirmation on this yet?
Last edited by WiscAZ; Jan 2, 2019 at 8:08 pm
Jan 3, 2019, 8:39 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,663
of course it does/why wouldn't it
Jan 3, 2019, 12:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
Jan 3, 2019, 1:01 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,663
Jan 3, 2019, 1:11 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
Sure, fees apply to most members, but not to EXPs. I wouldn't read that as anything different. There's no exception, etc., in the information about EXP benefits: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...s-benefits.jsp
Jan 3, 2019, 8:21 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,663
