AA FFmile -- lax/ogg question

[Cathyb]

An earlier poster said she wasn't given the liberty to have a daytime flight from Los Angeles to Maui; had to take the evening flight to use her ffmiles.

Was wondering if other Tuggers have recently been successful in getting the 'cheap coach seats' on American Airlines daytime flights to Maui for next year -- 2010.

[SherryS]

We got DFW - OGG "cheap seats" for a noon flight for Feb 2010.
You could call and ask availability for a false date exactly 331 days in advance. That would give you an idea if they were still releasing the type of seats you want, but at a different date.

[Sandy Lovell]

They only allocate so many seats for FF rewards, once those are gone that flight is closed to Rewards. You just weren't quick enough and someone else got those seats.

[SuzanneSLO]

[deleted becuase I failed to read question correctly]

[post-it]

Originally Posted by SuzanneSLO

With the relative low cost of flights from LAX to OGG, we have typically bought our tickets then used miles for upgrades. Before AA added the $50 per direction surcharge, we always felt the 30,000 miles was worth it. As often as not, we have been able to upgrade on the nonstop AA flights and have paid anywhere from $120 for the RT to $400, with most flights under $300. -- Suzanne

Have you found it's best to upgrade at the time you book your AA miles for tickets LAX-OGG?

[Dave M]

With most airlines, if you use miles to book economy class tickets, you can't use miles to upgrade to business or first. If you want to use miles to upgrade, you need to purchase your tickets (paying with $$$, not miles) and upgrade using miles.

Talk with a good agent for the airline that can try to find flights for you with upgradeable fares. For best results, do this 331 days out.

[SuzanneSLO]

Originally Posted by Dave M

With most airlines, if you use miles to book economy class tickets, you can't use miles to upgrade to business or first. If you want to use miles to upgrade, you need to purchase your tickets (paying with $$$, not miles) and upgrade using miles.

Talk with a good agent for the airline that can try to find flights for you with upgradeable fares. For best results, do this 331 days out.

Dave is right that it is best to look for upgrade availability before you buy your nonrefundable coach ticket. With AA, most fares are upgradeable in the US (the ony exception is O fares), but there must also be inventory in A class into which you can upgrade.

In addition to talking to an agent, you can also subscribe to ExpertFlyer, which shows such inventory on AA. I find that booking 11 months out is NOT the best way to puchase coach then upgrade to first since the coach fares are often relative pricey that far out. Usually, I wait until I find a good fare sale and then book the flights/days that have the upgrade invevtory. If I have no flexibility on arrival or departure dates, then I will book farther in advance as soon as I find an accpetable fare.

Also, note that AA now charges a $150 surcharge each way (so $300 RT) to upgrade using miles. Which gives me even more incentive to wait until I find a decent fare. Best of luck -- Suzanne

[Jaybee]

I don't understand the problem with an evening flight to HI. We're flying out at 4:40 pm from LAX, and we'll arrive in LIH at 7:25pm. Is that bad? and we bought our tix.

[SuzanneSLO]

I have deleted my first post and corrected my 2nd becuase I finally read the OP's question about flights to HI. My brain kept thinking OGG = Orlando, when of course OGG = Maui as stated in the OP. Duh! Sorry if anyone was confused by my confusion! -- Suzanne

[UWSurfer]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

I don't understand the problem with an evening flight to HI. We're flying out at 4:40 pm from LAX, and we'll arrive in LIH at 7:25pm. Is that bad? and we bought our tix.

I think that depends on what you need to do after landing and how far you have to go. We stay in Kapalua and its far more practical to arrive earlier in the day so we can get our car and make the stops as Costco & Kmart for groceries and supplies before making the 45 minute or more drive to the resort.