FREQUENT FLYER REDEMPTION-HELP!
 

We have finally accumulated enough frequent flyer miles to get to Europe, but after 2 months of daily calling we can not get American Airlines to open up a seat coming back from ANY airport in Europe. (They can get us there, but not back) Any ideas? Time is getting short, our vacation is in jeopardy. Your suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Most folks redeem their miles on the VERY FIRST day there dates open up. The time is different for each airline. Some are a year from the day of travel some are 9 months, etc. Not sure what AA's time limit is - but if you are within a few months of your dates of travel you are probably put of luck.

I'd start looking for cheap fares . . . .

....and save the miles for a trip next year, making reservations as soon as they open up.

Did you ask about flights with AA's partners-British Airlines, Finnair, Swiss, Iberia, Aer Lingus?? You can combine airlines too for a mutlicarrier and/or multi-city itinerary. AA has "one-world awards"

I agree that it will be tough getting flights for this summer since it's so close. Have you tried booking your award tickets online? http://www.aa.com/apps/reservations/...hFlights.jhtml

First of all,, good luck in your search. OTOH: the response from poster "janis", while "generally" correct also contains a falacy that could work in your favor.

While airlines DO open up seats as far in advance as 330 days, they also "re-open" capacity much closer to flight time as they have a better view of what the actual loads are going to be.

Hence, my advice would be to be prepared to look for cheap fares as janis has proposed, but also, don't give up hope that you'll see some capacity opened on return flights.

Best wishes, Dave

FYI, I put in some summer dates and various cities into the online award booking site and several different flights WERE available. Perhaps online availability is more generous? Though, you should be prepared to be flexible with your exact dates.

You may have luck if you wait until the last minute. I know this will drive you crazy (it would drive me crazy!) but I found New Orleans-Heathrow AAdvantage awards on American last summer when I called one week in advance.

I've flown to Europe using AA Miles, and I did have to book my flights 330 days in advance. You really have to plan this sort of thing WAY in advance! You might just go ahead and buy your airfare so that you get to go on your vacation, and start planning to use those miles for NEXT year's vacation...

I've also managed to get a last-minute AA trip to Vegas, but I really think that was just lucky!