Booking Window - AA
 

I have read on this forum that the earliest booking window for American Airlines is 330 days prior to departure date. Is this accurate for purchased coach tickets as well as frequent flyer miles tickets? Cannot seem to find any information on the internet. Thank you.

Yes, the same. Fair warning, booking FF miles 330 days in advance might be more expensive in FF miles than closer in, unless you're going at the heighth of the season.

When I hone in on a trip, usually to Europe, I keep an eye on relative pricing and try to book at the best time. If you make a change, you will usually have to pay a change fee in $$. Make changes only if it benefits you.

A few years ago, I had a 4 flight trip from SFO-EZE that I got changed to a 2 flight trip when it came open. I was more than polite on the phone and had my flights changed for no fee.

If you think you can do better than what you've booked in terms of connections, check regularly, even daily. Canceled reservations change daily.

AA Million Miler.

If you try to book a purchased coach ticket on AA.com you'll see that the same 330d window applies.

The latest date you can book as of today is 2/16/2013.

Keep in mind also that anything you book that far in advance is bound to have changes in schedule or aircraft in that time. 330 days is about 11 months, remember. If you're going to do it, you have to monitor your reservation periodically.

Why buy this early? AA may not even operate that route by that time.

Usually about 6 months out works best for us for AA.com We got 80000 miles/points with their Citi AAdvantage Cards just for signup and spending $1k on each card. No other fees. Then booked
our TA flights 20000 each way closed our cards got pretty much free flights that way except for $25 tax/fees per leg. You have time to do something like that while you wait.

Good luck!

As a general rule you won't get the best fare 330 days out. If booking with miles you MIGHT get the low mile awards, but if paying it may not be cheapest.

Now there are some exceptions. For example my friends fly from Boston to Florida every year over thier school break in Febuary. Since EVERYONE seems to want to get out of the "frozen north" that's one they book ASAP and the fares have only goine UP! So if you are flying on a very high demand day you might do better 330 days out, but for most trips, you will do better waiting.

Just a reminder, 330 days out means that your latest trip by the calendar can't exceed 330 days. You might meet the window for the first flight, but not the return.

Good thing with AA is that you can book one-ways. Bad thing about doing that is having to maintain 2 locator numbers.

Thanks so much to all who took the time to answer and share valuable information. We will check the miles tickets 330 out and also what it would cost to purchase coach and upgrade to business. Will make decision when we have more information. Thanks again!

If you're purchasing your tickets than I would NOT book them when the schedule opens; typically the cheaper fares don't appear for several months after the schedule is published.

If you're looking for mileage redemption tickets, you can start looking at D-330, but seats are released into award inventory throughout the booking period, not all at once and seldom more than one or two early in the "open window." The airlines want to hold a maximum number of seats for sale rather than redemption.