Why so hard to redeem an award flight?
Mar 15, 2019, 9:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 7
Why so hard to redeem an award flight?
Is there some kind of trick to redeem award flights? Is it because I am doing it too late? (Traveling end of the March week)
I am looking at Hawaii, YVR or Tokyo, but just seems like everything is out. I put the travel date all the way to May and June, and it's always the outbound flight that's not available...
Am I doing something wrong? thanks!
Sorry, from LAX, with 2 adults/2kids
I am looking at Hawaii, YVR or Tokyo, but just seems like everything is out. I put the travel date all the way to May and June, and it's always the outbound flight that's not available...
Am I doing something wrong? thanks!
Sorry, from LAX, with 2 adults/2kids
Mar 15, 2019, 9:19 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
Is there some kind of trick to redeem award flights? Is it because I am doing it too late? (Traveling end of the March week)
I am looking at Hawaii, Van or Tokyo, but just seems like everything is out. I put the travel date all the way to May and June, and it's always the outbound flight that's not available...
Am I doing something wrong? thanks!
I am looking at Hawaii, Van or Tokyo, but just seems like everything is out. I put the travel date all the way to May and June, and it's always the outbound flight that's not available...
Am I doing something wrong? thanks!
]Class of travel?
1 person? [or 4?]
In ~2 weeks time? (end of the March week)
Your guide to spending Avios | 2019 edition
Mar 15, 2019, 9:35 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Is there some kind of trick to redeem award flights? Is it because I am doing it too late? (Traveling end of the March week)
I am looking at Hawaii, YVR or Tokyo, but just seems like everything is out. I put the travel date all the way to May and June, and it's always the outbound flight that's not available...
Am I doing something wrong? thanks!
Sorry, from LAX, with 2 adults/2kids
I am looking at Hawaii, YVR or Tokyo, but just seems like everything is out. I put the travel date all the way to May and June, and it's always the outbound flight that's not available...
Am I doing something wrong? thanks!
Sorry, from LAX, with 2 adults/2kids
2. Getting 4 seats on the same flight can be challenging
Mar 15, 2019, 9:44 pm
#6
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Trying to book international flights fr the end of March now for 4 persons would not be easy.
You could try searching for one seat (which would be easier to find than 4) get that on Avios, and then see if you could find the 2nd one etc., and then book the rest with cash?
You could try searching for one seat (which would be easier to find than 4) get that on Avios, and then see if you could find the 2nd one etc., and then book the rest with cash?
Mar 15, 2019, 9:49 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 7
Trying to book international flights fr the end of March now for 4 persons would not be easy.
You could try searching for one seat (which would be easier to find than 4) get that on Avios, and then see if you could find the 2nd one etc., and then book the rest with cash?
You could try searching for one seat (which would be easier to find than 4) get that on Avios, and then see if you could find the 2nd one etc., and then book the rest with cash?
Doesn't have to be international. Hawaii is fine too, but I guess it is really hard to get LAX>HNL eh
Mar 15, 2019, 9:58 pm
#9
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
End of March is a bit tight, given it's mid-March now.
By the way, I assume you are trying to use BA Avios rather than some other miles/points from another scheme?
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Mar 15, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Mar 15, 2019, 10:02 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
There are plenty of AA award seats between LAX-YVR. The problem is that BA.com has trouble seeing AA seats. If you can see the seats on AA.com, just keep trying BA.com again and again and again. It may take 3, 4, 5 or 10 refreshes, but you'll eventually you'll see the seats. Here are results for 4 seats...
After 4 refreshes...
After 4 refreshes...
Mar 15, 2019, 11:07 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 7
There are plenty of AA award seats between LAX-YVR. The problem is that BA.com has trouble seeing AA seats. If you can see the seats on AA.com, just keep trying BA.com again and again and again. It may take 3, 4, 5 or 10 refreshes, but you'll eventually you'll see the seats. Here are results for 4 seats...
After 4 refreshes...
After 4 refreshes...
Mar 16, 2019, 1:40 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,528
Mar 16, 2019, 2:06 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
I often end up calling them to book my SHA-HKG tickets because their search engine seems to dislike SHA (which, is much more convenient than PVG for me). They always waive the fee.
But, one big advantage to booking online is that the "pay with miles and cash" option often makes business class pencil (e.g. the cash component is typically around 1.3 cents per mile). I have never had a phone agent offer me miles plus cash, though I haven't actually asked either (i.e. I always manage to score economy redemptions on my flights to/from HKG).
But, one big advantage to booking online is that the "pay with miles and cash" option often makes business class pencil (e.g. the cash component is typically around 1.3 cents per mile). I have never had a phone agent offer me miles plus cash, though I haven't actually asked either (i.e. I always manage to score economy redemptions on my flights to/from HKG).