AA frequent flyer miles - redeemable?

[thelittlebabu]

I'm trying to use some FF miles on American Airlines this summer, yet ANY date I enter on AA.com does not have any FF seats available. Has anyone else had this problem with AA or another airline? Is there a site that shows all the flights that FF seats are available on all dates?

[am_81]

I would try calling the airline directly. If you end up buying youre ticket over the phone, you have to pay a $15 service charge to buy your tickets that way, but its so much easier than trying to redeem them online. I've done it three times now -- $500 credit on our land/air AAVacations package to Puerto Vallarta, free airfare to St. Lucia and now an upgrade to First Class for our honeymoon to Hawaii. Each time we went straight to the reservations hotline and did not have an issue at all. I've found that the service reps are more than willing to help you determine when and how youre FF miles will get you the best deal.

[laura]

I've booked using AA FF miles online, but it's really hit or miss depending on the dates you want. I could be incorrect, but I also get the impression that they release seats gradually for FF mile purchase online - not sure if that's true, but it's been my experience that sometimes there are no seats and then I check back later and there are seats magically available. I've booked by calling them, also, but that is generally for last minute travel and there are almost always seats available b/c at the last minute they release all of their seats just to fill them.

[boilermaker]

I have booked several trips using my AA miles online. There is an option where you can check "next available date" or something like that.

I have found that if you are traveling on a weekend or to a popular location, you need about 8 months notice to use your miles. Not very "user friendly" but I get around it by flying on other days...Thursdays, Saturdays, etc.

Also, if you call the reservation people, they can help you find dates to use the miles...then you book those dates online and you are not charged a fee.

[pacificbliss]

I have used my miles twice. Once I was able to do it online and the other time I had to call.