Two days ago I found non-stop flights along with one-stop-with-good-connection flights using 30,000 Aadvantage miles (each way) that I was interested in, specifically DFW-LHR-DFW and IAH-LHR-IAH to be used 7-8 months from now.. Today, they have vanished. Is it possible these award flights might return in the future or are they gone forever? There are still a couple of 50,000 and 60,000 mile flights I could book but I was hoping to get the 30,000 ones.

Seats come and go from award inventory all the time; they're released for mileage redemption based on very complicated computer programs that constantly evaluate sales, competition, load factors and many other variables.

Since the 30,000 level indicates you're traveling after May 15 (20,000 before) you'll just have to keep monitoring AA.com to see if they reappear.

Flexibility (on dates and routing) is key: you should also look at alternate routes, such as using Air Berlin (travel via Germany) or routes via Spain.

Remember that using BA flights will subject you to very high BA fuel surcharges, up to several hundred dollars per flight, over and above your cost in miles. This has the effect of seriously eroding the value of your miles; however you can avoid these charges by selecting AA planes instead of BA-operated flights. It might mean traveling via Chicago, or New York, or maybe Miami, but the savings will be major.

Thanks, Gardyloo -- will keep looking

If you are open to using Iberia you will need to call AA to book, as Iberia award flights are not displayed on their web site. As Gardy mentioned using BA will cost you a lot more. The last time I checked it was somewhere around $650 in fees. That's a lot of money for a free ticket.

I would give them a call just in case something is available on Iberia.

I use my AA miles all the time. I'm refuse to go with British Air when using miles. As the others have said: The taxes that you must pay, no matter what, can be a few hundred dollars per ticket. I just got a trip to Europe using Berlin Air (with AA FF miles) instead of British air. Both airlines have the same requirement of 20k each way, but my taxes for the Berlin air were $300 less per ticket than if I had used BA.

Thanks all - will keep tracking/calling

I think you just learned a very hard lesson with which, unfortunately, many of us can commiserate. When you see 'em...book 'em! (Hope they reappear for you...)