How far in advance for a free AA ticket?
 

I know this has been answered before, but my mind is jet-lagged (along with the rest of me). I just discovered my account has enough miles for a free business-class trip to Europe; we'd be traveling in December 2007. Two questions: what's the earliest date I can request a ticket, and do you think getting one for December might be easier than for spring/summer/fall? Thanks.

1. 330 days before your travel.

2. Maybe. Maybe not - depends on route, specific days, etc. Usually most of December except holiday weeks/weekends are reasonably okay.

Just wondering if Underhill (or anyone else) has Gold or Platinum status, does that make it easier to get the free ticket or?

I know I have to book really early to just get the upgrades near the dates I want in June.

Nope--no gold or platinum. Just miles.

<i>Just wondering if Underhill (or anyone else) has Gold or Platinum status, does that make it easier to get the free ticket or?</i>

Executive Platinum (top tier) people get access to additional saver award inventory. Not so for Plat or lower.

There is no such thing as a free ticket.

we've gotten mileage tix from AA about 3 months in advance on a popular route, non-stop LAX-JFK, then the connecting flights from LGA-IAD, then home IAD- LAX.

It's not always so difficult to get what you want!

But hmmm... Business class to Europe- probably more tough I guess :)

You can get a business class ticket to Europe for THIS December, if you wanted. I just tried searching and found a few dates, for example ORD-CDG Dec 18-25.

But if you want to go to Paris in the spring then try aa.com or call Aadvantage.

I just tried LAX-CDG for May 12-22 (I didn't pick those dates for any particular reason). The search gave me two options outbound from LAX-JFK connecting to the same flight (44) to CDG. On the return it found availability on flight 45 to JFK and two options to connect to LAX. The transcon flights (34, 118, 117, 133) apparently have true biz class seats.

So if you really would rather go in the spring or summer, then you can get seats. Best thing is if you can be flexible with dates.

For June 12-22, there are three options in each direction. All of the LAX-JFK flights are domestic firsz class as is one of the return flight options.

Pretty good availability, it seems, for only 90,000 miles and $110 in taxes and fees.

and let's not forget <b>partner airlines</b>, and that could only be checked by calling AAdvantage reservation....


Reporting from DFW, on the way home....