gkainz said:
Hey guys'n gals - looking for some insider info regarding frequent flyer awards travel. I booked 4 out of 5 tickets this weekend for a Thanksgiving trip using "Super Saver" category (25000 miles) and the 5th ticket attempt bounced due to "flight booked or not available". I checked again this morning and still get the same results. The desired flight does have seats available using the "Standard" category (40000) miles, however, as well as cash purchase. So, the question for one who knows - might the airline release another few super saver category seats for this flight or should I book this using standard category?
I know, kind of like asking "when should I buy in on XYZ stock" question, but at least this insider info won't qualify me as the next resident of Martha Stewart's previous residence...
Thanks!
Greg, sounds like you hit the free seat limit on the flight. You're lucky to get 4. Given the current load factors, an extra seat is not likely to open up.
Depending on the airline, the 'standard' category is almost the same pool as purchased tickets. I just got done booking some award travel with Delta. There were a bunch of flights 'not available' for the 'saver' level (25,000 miles) but it was wide open for the 'choice' level (50,000 miles).
I'd also bet that continuing to try and book it in the saver class counts on their system as 'demand' for the flight, meaning they think you'll be willing to pay more, so therefore they won't open more lower cost tickets until close to flight time. And with increased loads/reduced capacity, they probably don't have to.
You probably could waitlist it, but I've given up entirely on waitlists (and I'm top-level platinum). They just don't clear.
If you're locked into those flights and times, I think I would probably be grateful to FOUR at the lower award level, suck it up, and book the one ticket at the higher award level. Doing the math, it raises the average award requirement, per ticket, by 3,000 miles.
One other thought... what would it cost to buy the ticket outright? It may be lower per-mile-cost to buy rather than do the award. It's been a while, but I used to use the "buy one ticket, get the second on mileage" technique successfully in the past.