We all know that the days of holds are over (this was a great convenience, and I miss it), however.....

It appears that if you search with "onepass reward upgrade" checked, and there is at least one available sometime that day (seach "all" flights), when you select a flight (that doesn't have an upgrade available), for example, you get this (i've highlighted the hold part):

>Review Ticket DetailsPrice Details:
1 Adults (age 18 to 64) $99.00
1 Upgrade Reward(s)
Additional Taxes/FeesTicket Taxes/Fees $10.30
Total Price and $109.30

Without redeeming your miles, this trip is currently available in First Class for a total of $594.30 for all passengers. Purchase this reservation without redeeming miles.

Flight Details:
Depart:
6:45 a.m.
Thu., Nov. 30, 2006
Phoenix, AZ (PHX) Arrive:
1:28 p.m.
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty) Travel Time:
4 hr 43 mn OnePass Miles/
Elite Qualification:
2,133 /100% Flight: CO734
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Fare Class: Economy (W)
Meal: Snack or Brunch
No Special Meal Offered.


! Upgrade not available on CO734.


Continue to Purchase.

Continue to reserve. A credit card is required to hold your reservation until midnight Fri., Nov. 17, 2006.


Now I wonder what happens when you either try to reserve (hold) this, or indeed just book it (what is the unspecified upgrade reward?). Has anybody tried it?

If you want to "hold" a ticket, select "Pay with Cash - continental ticket office" option. The ticket will be reserved for 24 hours. You can always go back on-line and buy it next day with a credit card, without paying any additional fees. Works every time.

What an elegant way to out-smart the system! Thank ya kindly.

I actually prefer the 24-hour Refund policy over the old Hold policy.

I use this feature all the time. It's only available for credit card holders of the Chase Continental Mastercard, and will hold the reservation for 24 hours.

I've never tried to use another card to see what happens, but I'm sure the system can't be fooled so easily. So the previous suggestion of using the cash payment to hold your reservation would seem to be the best option if you don't have a Chase Continental MC.

I can't see any reasons why you would - could you explain?

My experience is a bit different. I used this feature with my amex card (not my Chase CO M/C), and it held the res just fine. In fact, the system even went so far as to PURCHASE the ticket for me when I didn't come back by midnite the following day to do the purchase myself. (Imagine my surprise!)

This ticket was a fully refundable ticket, so I don't know if that had any bearing on the situation. But it did allow the hold with the use of my Amex card.