Award Booking Problem

[garybatz]

Hi Folks,

Just wondering if anyone else is having this problem with booking AAward flights.

Over the last month I've been searching for award flights with my AA points to go MEL-LHR and back in June/July 2017, flying in J or F. When I searched I got multiple flights showing, but then when I went to book I got the error message "The flight you selected is no longer available. Please modify your request." This happened literally with every single flight showing, across different days, different airlines, different times. I tested booking a Y flight and it worked fine, so seems to be only a problem with the premium seats.

Is anyone else finding this? I have successfully booked online with AA in the past so am hoping it's a temporary problem.

On a happier note:

• I managed to get suitable flights there and back, in J with MH
• When I rang AA to search for flights all of the staff were very helpful, including waiving the telephone booking fee without needing prompting
• I emailed AA regarding the problem, while they couldn't offer a solution they did give me 1500 points as compensation
• I now know how to use ExpertFlyer to find award flights

 

[TomVexille]

AA are well know for showing phantom availability

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hi Folks,

Just wondering if anyone else is having this problem with booking AAward flights.

Over the last month I've been searching for award flights with my AA points to go MEL-LHR and back in June/July 2017, flying in J or F. When I searched I got multiple flights showing, but then when I went to book I got the error message "The flight you selected is no longer available. Please modify your request." This happened literally with every single flight showing, across different days, different airlines, different times. I tested booking a Y flight and it worked fine, so seems to be only a problem with the premium seats.

Is anyone else finding this? I have successfully booked online with AA in the past so am hoping it's a temporary problem.

On a happier note:

• I managed to get suitable flights there and back, in J with MH
• When I rang AA to search for flights all of the staff were very helpful, including waiving the telephone booking fee without needing prompting
• I emailed AA regarding the problem, while they couldn't offer a solution they did give me 1500 points as compensation
• I now know how to use ExpertFlyer to find award flights

Multiple posts here on AFF and elsewhere on this issue has been going on for probably close to a year.
AA not apparently interested in fixing it.
Nice score with the miles compensation I might try that one myself

 

[grussellt]

Phantom availability at AA is certainly a continuing problem. One of the other problems for Oz-LHR awards is the paucity of availability on QF . There is some space on Emirates but of course that is is not available to AAdvantage members. A search on Awardnexus (very useful and free up to a limited number of searches) shows only awards for MEL-KUL-LHR in J on MH/BA. The only other way to get premium seats seems to be to travel via HKG on CX and accept an overnight stopover. This requires a multi-city search.