jenblase

Hi - I am wanting to book a OW80 ticket, the first leg going from ORD to Frankfurt. On the AA site it shows only 180k mile Aanytime Availability tickets available (no 90k mile tickets available), so will I still be able to book that leg as part of my OW itinerary? Or will the agent say that it is unavailable?

Thanks!
Jennifer

AAFrequentFlyer

I'm afraid it won't be available as the 2 are different inventories. It's J fare code for AAnytime business award and U fare code for PlAAn ahead business award. OW awards use the plan ahead inventories.

Don't despair. AA may be able to put you on a connecting flight through London or Madrid. Not as good as non-stop but it will get you there.

May I ask the routing for your OW award?

Good luck!

jenblase

I think I got it... or at least, the itinerary is ON HOLD as of right now. The stupid rep had no idea what "code" to use to try to get this in for only 80,000 miles, so I had to explain it to her!! So, maybe she was just clueless and reserved me on that flight even when she shouldn't have.

The routing is:

Oct. 22 ORD - FRA nonstop on AA

Nov. 1 MCH - AMS connecting in Budapest (barely legal connection - only 55 minutes) on Malev

Nov. 5 - AMS - ORD connecting in Madrid on Iberia


Not as creative or inventive as some of yours but I only have a 2 week vacation with which to work.

I wish I could figure out how to do one of your trips where I come home and then 8 months later use another part of my trip, but I know that would be a lot more than 80k miles!!

AAFrequentFlyer

MCH or MUC?

Callback and ask about alternative routings. Through London on AA connecting to BA to FRA or to MAD on AA or IB and connecting to IB to FRA, and so on. Another possibility is through DFW on AA to FRA.

There are many more possibilities but it would involve 2 connections. ORD-yyz-lhr-FRA (AA/BA) and so on.

The award code is: OW80C (OneWorld/80Kmiles/businessclass)

Good luck!

jenblase

MUC - you're right... sorry.

jenblase

And can I ask - are you giving me these alternative routings because you don't think I can book the flight to Frankfurt non-stop?

I'm pretty sure since it's on hold now that means it's good to go...

AAFrequentFlyer

But if business was not availble then you are booked into economy. It's very possible more business seats get released as it gets closer to departure date but unfortunately AA won't move you up automatically. You will need to keep on checking and as soon as more award seats get released you need to call to grab them.

AAFrequentFlyer

At the same time you need to know that if you do chose a connecting flights and it gets ticketed as such, then you can't change it without paying $100 fee, redepositing the miles and starting from scratch. Only dates and time changes are allowed for free. Once ticketed carriers or routings can't be changed.

jenblase

I *am* booked into Business.... at least it shows that on my record locator online. The agent never said that it wasn't available when we spoke on the phone, it just wasn't showing when I was looking at availability on the AA site. (only the Aanytime tickets were showing and I thought, it can't hurt to call and ask!)

So maybe she was able to find something I couldn't see.

AAFrequentFlyer

When you look at the reservation on aa.com, what booking code do you see for the ORD-FRA flight? is it J or U?

jenblase

Ahhh... good question. Booking code is U.

AAFrequentFlyer

then you're all set, barring any mistakes by the res agent.

Award tickets do get reviewed by ticketing in some dark, basement room at the DFW HDQ and only once the res gets a stamp of approval from that dept. does the res get ticketed.

My last 2 OW awards had 1 mistake each. I nor the agent caught the mistakes during the res process but these award geniuses did. Got a call few days later and had to "adjust" the reservation before it was allowed to be ticketed.

I'm not trying to scare you, just want you to know that is how award booking system works.

AAFrequentFlyer

oh, btw,

Have a great trip!

jenblase

Yeah, I've had that happen before too - back in Nov. when I was looking to book an award ticket. I thought everything went through fine and then a few days later I get an ominous sounding email "Please call Mrs. XXX regarding Record Locator XXXXXX."

Thanks for all of your help!!