usvi-on-line
AA miles redemption ?'s
AA miles redemption ?'s
Signed up for an AA miles card with Citibank and received their promotional miles (25k). Looks like I have to book 329 days before departure date, is that correct? We have about a month before that day would open. If anyone that is an experienced miles user I would appreciate any tips for redemption. I did not get any info from citi about miles redemption so just wondering about redemption. Want to make sure to redeem for next years trip.
Oh, and is 25k miles the right amount for a RT ticket to STT?
Thanks!
(This back to work thing really bites...glad we have another trip already planned
)
Oh, and is 25k miles the right amount for a RT ticket to STT?
Thanks!
(This back to work thing really bites...glad we have another trip already planned
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Jumbiegirl
- Posts: 301
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:30 pm
- Location: Holland, MI
I fly to St John on miles with AA every single time so I'll relay my experiences..
You don't HAVE to book 329 in advance - that's just the soonest you can. And I recommend calling at midnight that very day. The reason is that there are usually only 2 to 4 FF seats available on a flight to begin with. Once they're gone you're SOL until a few months prior to the flight when more FF seats open up if the flight is not already full.
We always call and make the reservations instead of booking them on line - this costs an extra $30 or so bucks to do. Plus, talking to an agent will help if there's 1 FF seat available and you need 2. We've always found the agents are VERY helpful on the phone and let you in on the tricks you need to know.
It's actually 35K miles to STT because STT is considered International for FF miles.
https://www.aa.com/aa/pubcontent/en_US/ ... avelawards
You don't HAVE to book 329 in advance - that's just the soonest you can. And I recommend calling at midnight that very day. The reason is that there are usually only 2 to 4 FF seats available on a flight to begin with. Once they're gone you're SOL until a few months prior to the flight when more FF seats open up if the flight is not already full.
We always call and make the reservations instead of booking them on line - this costs an extra $30 or so bucks to do. Plus, talking to an agent will help if there's 1 FF seat available and you need 2. We've always found the agents are VERY helpful on the phone and let you in on the tricks you need to know.
It's actually 35K miles to STT because STT is considered International for FF miles.
https://www.aa.com/aa/pubcontent/en_US/ ... avelawards
Trip #14 comes June 11, 2015!!
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crasherino
- Posts: 281
- Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:57 pm
- Location: NYC
Its 35k for a MilesSaver ticket. You can always pay double for an Anytime Ticket or 60k for a miles saver business class ticket (sometimes those are available after coach is gone).
If the direct flights no longer have the MilesSavers available, look into connecting through San Juan or even Miami.
If you don't have enough to buy the round trip, AA just started booking one way mileage tickets, so if only one leg of your flight is available as a Saver, you can book that one, and then pay for the other one at half the price. I just booked a one way mileage ticket on AA for 17.5k per person.
But, bottom line, if you are booking 329 days out, you should be able to book it no problem.
If the direct flights no longer have the MilesSavers available, look into connecting through San Juan or even Miami.
If you don't have enough to buy the round trip, AA just started booking one way mileage tickets, so if only one leg of your flight is available as a Saver, you can book that one, and then pay for the other one at half the price. I just booked a one way mileage ticket on AA for 17.5k per person.
But, bottom line, if you are booking 329 days out, you should be able to book it no problem.
AA FF Miles
I use them to go everywhere. and the recommendation to book far in advance is good. The earlier the better. I've used them for Belize, St. Lucia, Mexico, etc and yes, the 35k is pretty much standard for International. The other thing to consider is that if you really have a lot of miles, 50k get's you Business class and most of these flights don't have Business class so they have to bump you to first when it's available. I try to do this each time.
Again, good advice and recommendations on the agents. They have ALWAYS been very helpful when I have called. I belong to United, AA, USAir, Delta, etc and hands down, AA has been the best over the long run. I'm working on 3MM miles with them since first traveling internationally in 1973.
Book early and book often. You can't take the miles with you so enjoy them when you can.
Chooch
Again, good advice and recommendations on the agents. They have ALWAYS been very helpful when I have called. I belong to United, AA, USAir, Delta, etc and hands down, AA has been the best over the long run. I'm working on 3MM miles with them since first traveling internationally in 1973.
Book early and book often. You can't take the miles with you so enjoy them when you can.
Chooch
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msgcolleen
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:33 am
- Location: Allen, Texas
Just an FYI:
If you travel to St. Thomas on AA between Sept. 7 - Nov. 14 it's only 25k miles during off peak season~
If you travel to St. Thomas on AA between Sept. 7 - Nov. 14 it's only 25k miles during off peak season~
I've got 2 tickets to paradise~Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
Hey there Allen Neighbor.....yeah...that's true...gotta watch for those great deals. couple years ago, when AAdvantage was having their 25 year anniversary, I was able to travel to St.Lucia through Miami for 17.5k round trip in First class!msgcolleen wrote:Just an FYI:
If you travel to St. Thomas on AA between Sept. 7 - Nov. 14 it's only 25k miles during off peak season~
Those deals are few and far between, so you gotta watch closely and often.
Chooch
redemption miles
This was the first year we had trouble redeeming
miles even calling at midnight. American was stalling
until they had their "new" system in place.
Bit of a gimmick. They treat each leg of the flight
separately. Keep trying though. 35.000 miles went
quickly and we did not get it this year for the first
time in six years. I stayed up all night and have
a high level of miles. They are not anxious to give
them away!! Guess we will be buying tickets-maybe?
From Chicago it is quite pricey. Might try United
this year. Good luck.
miles even calling at midnight. American was stalling
until they had their "new" system in place.
Bit of a gimmick. They treat each leg of the flight
separately. Keep trying though. 35.000 miles went
quickly and we did not get it this year for the first
time in six years. I stayed up all night and have
a high level of miles. They are not anxious to give
them away!! Guess we will be buying tickets-maybe?
From Chicago it is quite pricey. Might try United
this year. Good luck.
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crasherino
- Posts: 281
- Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:57 pm
- Location: NYC
Re: redemption miles
This is actually a good thing though. Previously, if one leg of the flight didn't have a "T" Class ticket (an Award Milesaver) available, you were sh!t out of luck and forced to pay 70k for the whole flight. Now, if one leg is T class ticket and the other leg is an Award Anytime ticket, you'll pay 17.5k for the cheaper one and 35k for the more expensive one, so you'll actually save 17.5k miles.jcm wrote: Bit of a gimmick. They treat each leg of the flight
separately.
redemption
You are correct about that Crasherino.
Better than 70,000 total.
I have that exact idea on hold.
I was holding out for 35,000 total but
don't think that will happen. We are traveling
next spring so will probably do that. Still
hoping airfare might come down and there is
a non-stop on United from Chicago, but it makes
a stop on the way home. This board is great.Thank you!!
Better than 70,000 total.
I have that exact idea on hold.
I was holding out for 35,000 total but
don't think that will happen. We are traveling
next spring so will probably do that. Still
hoping airfare might come down and there is
a non-stop on United from Chicago, but it makes
a stop on the way home. This board is great.Thank you!!
We have used AA FF miles for many years for free trips. I find it very time consuming and annoying to get the flights we want, but they are essentially free, so I really shouldn't complain. We live in the Wash DC area, so we have 3 airports to choose from. We are very particular about the day we leave and come back. So we check the villa availability, then start on the flights. We try different combinations of airports and dates until we get what we want. The advice to book as early as possible is good. It gets much harder to get seats as time goes on.
This year we took advantage of the different mile levels for Business Class vs economy. The flights we wanted had no economy FF seats, but did have Business class. We had plenty of miles, so we booked Business class both ways. It was soooo nice to be in this class and each time we have flown this way, it has spoiled me. Roomy seats are what I like the most, but the flight attendant service was nice too. We even got hot towels before the meal. My hubby liked the meals. They are definitely better than the food you purchase in coach class. If you have enough mies for business class, go for it.
With all that said, it is very tempting to try to book a non-stop flight from Washington to STT. I think United has one. Depending upon the cost, we might do that next time. Being on the island earlier is very appealing.
This year we took advantage of the different mile levels for Business Class vs economy. The flights we wanted had no economy FF seats, but did have Business class. We had plenty of miles, so we booked Business class both ways. It was soooo nice to be in this class and each time we have flown this way, it has spoiled me. Roomy seats are what I like the most, but the flight attendant service was nice too. We even got hot towels before the meal. My hubby liked the meals. They are definitely better than the food you purchase in coach class. If you have enough mies for business class, go for it.
With all that said, it is very tempting to try to book a non-stop flight from Washington to STT. I think United has one. Depending upon the cost, we might do that next time. Being on the island earlier is very appealing.