Possible end to 24 hold?
 

ThePointsGuy is posting that AA is experimenting with getting rid of the 24 hold. No clue as to the validity of the blog post.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/americ...4-82964744363C

I actually experienced possibly a "test" of this last night which forced me to call the Exec Plat Desk to get what I needed done... UA charges a fee structure to hold for different numbers of days... I like the ability to hold which makes it convenient for decision making for sure.

This will be disappointing if AA ends the hold option. Sure we still can cancel within 24 hours but this will require more work for the customers both to book and to cancel.

More work for the customers as well as more work for AA.

It also assumes that you can get through within 24 hours when you call to cancel,

Numerous times when dealing with schedule changes did the callback not occur until 2am. I usually didn’t wait, might have up in this case.

I don't often use this, but getting rid of it would be truly disappointing on AA's part. One of their few differentiated service offerings LOL.

who ever is in charge of the AA department that deals with this... well needs to be fired... enough AA.. you continue to ruin what was once a great airline..

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall that about 4-5 years ago, this very same thing occurred, except that elite members (maybe higher elites) where still allowed to have a 24hr hold, but others not.

I don't recall this ever being segmented by elite status, but I could absolutely be wrong.

I tried putting 2 flights on hold yesterday and there wasn't a hold option. I usually put flights on hold and then look at hotel options to make sure rates aren't off the charts possibly because of some kind of local event. I got burnt not too long ago when I booked a flight to Pittsburg (great hiking) and found the cheapest decent downtown hotel (Doubletree) was $400+ a night. Apparently Pitt had a big rivalry that weekend-Tennessee.

I've use it frequently and would be a shame to see it go. He who giveth (CE on a 1988 BA 320) often taketh (no more hold for you).

:D

They did something like that. IIRC, it was random or route dependent, not elite status based though.

Look, I hate to see this feature go as well. But do you really believe melodrama and hyperbole make a difference on the outcome. You do realize that AA competitors did away with this feature years ago, right? Do you believe there was a stampede of DL and UA fliers over to AA when those carriers removed this feature? Can you even remember when they removed the feature (without looking it up)?

This is another change that a small percentage of FTers will gnash their teeth and tear their clothes about for a week or two, some will threaten to leave this "once great airline" (they won't, they never do) and then within a month or so, everyone will adjust and move on as always.

Regards

I've used this option quite a bit when looking for SWU availability for flights I'm interested in using the AA website.. When I found one that worked and completed the itinerary online and put it on hold, I was then able to call the EXP desk and they could confirm the SWU and book the ticket for me. Unless there is an option I'm overlooking, it could now happen that I buy the ticket but when I call to confirm the SWU availability it doesn't actually exist. (And I've had a few occasions where they appear online but the agent can't see it or it no longer exists.)

I don't see the "Hold" option anymore as of this morning :(. It was still there yesterday.