Your thoughts on EI award availability opening in final days before flight?
 

Traveling from JFK-SNN (EI 112) on 3/22, trying to get award seats through EI/OW using AA miles. on EF i see J9 D9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 V0 N0 X0 L0 O0 Q0 S0 R0 W0 I9 G9 U0 T0. Seat map (while having a low information value) shows a wide open coach cabin, and J about 50% full.

I'm looking for either J or Y tickets on JFK-SNN. Wondering if any other AA FT'ers have had experience with EI being either stingy or generous with "last minute" release of award seats. I have two Y tix on hold at a reasonable price, but would prefer to find an award.

Need to make a call by midnight "held ticket expiration" whether or not to roll the dice and see if something opens up. Wondering if this being the last days of EI's One World affiliation has any impact on my situation as well.

Because I think the release of seats has to do with the AA-EI relationship (and my use of AA miles), I've posted here, but if OneWorld or EI forum is a better spot, please re-locate. FYI, I have also "searched" this forum, and have found mostly the information regarding the awful logistics of AA's SNN service.

Thanks!

Though EI won't be oneworld after April 1, I will fly this thread over to the oneworld Forum, due to the increased likelihood of knowledge about EI award seats opening up immediately prior to flight as part of OW.

EI is awfully tight on award inventory and rarely converts unsold seats into awards closer to flight time. You'd have a much better chance on AA metal (out of BOS or DUB on AA for example). Probably best to ticket those tickets on hold if you want a convenient routing.

Thanks number_6 for the insight. Very much appreciated!

EI will release some seats at the airport I have done this but it os only available to Gold circle members using their points.

I have done this in DUB to JFK

I don't necessarily agree that EI is tight with award inventory (if you use EF you'll see many T/A flights U=3) but aside from that the advice is spot on for you. IME EI (unlike say BA and AA) doesn't open up additional unsold seats as the travel date approaches

Thanks to all for your advice. As predicted by FT'ers, EI did not release additional award seats, despite a seemingly wide open flight. My response to EI's lack of "friendliness" in award seat availability - "don't let the door hit you on your way out of OneWorld". Actually, I'm just venting my frustration, it's a loss to the alliance to not have a OW carrier serving Ireland directly from NYC.

The EI employees are too busy bumping their friends up from Y to J to concern themselves with last minute revenue sources. BTW, EI announced today three new routes the the US. DUB-SFO, MCO and Washington.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0322/air.html?rss