What programs charge fees for awards?
 

I know that AA charges if you book an award less than 21 days in advance. I also know that UA does not. I am trying to consolidate some of my orphan miles, but would like to leave 25,000 in each account that does not have these fees, just in case I need to get a last minute ticket.

Yes, AA does charge fees for claiming awards less than 21 days away. However, in my own experience, AA tends to have excellent availability, especially on short notice. It may well be some other ailrines don't charge fees. But what good is the award if you can't get a ticket? Maybe someone who's a Continental flyer can elaborate on that airline's 25,000 mile coach ticket. It's next to impossible to book this award. It sounds like borderline fraud, (in my opinion anyway.)

[This message has been edited by Neal (edited 02-21-2003).]

USAir charges a sliding scale, depending on when you book, I forget what the numbers are; I think they're between $25 and $75. I think it's waived if you're CP (platinum).

They also have a fee for redepositing miles for awards trips not taken, also waived for CP.

This summer I got an AA ticket for a friend only 2 hours before departure. They told me on the phone that the gate would charge me $75 but they ended up charging me just the $7.50 or so for taxes. I only needed the one way but the cheapest ticket I could find was over $2000!!

johnep1

Just a thought. "Banking" 25,000 miles in a few different accounts sounds good until, they all decide to raise the minimum to 30,000! Just a heads up on things that DO happen, from time to time.