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How Can I Book Two Award Seats When Only One Is Available?

Sept. 07, 2014

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3 min read

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How Can I Book Two Award Seats When Only One Is Available?

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TPG Reader Sara sent me this message on Facebook:

"I'm trying to book a flight from Chicago to Rome using AAdvantage miles. The direct flight is only available when I search for one passenger, but not for two. If I buy the award flight for myself, will another spot open up?"

Italy is a top tourist destination, so it can often be difficult to redeem frequent flyer miles for SAAver level tickets, especially during peak travel periods. I just helped my parents use Delta SkyMiles to book Business class Alitalia awards, and they had to settle for some weird dates and layovers. The way I was able to book their trip was by setting ExpertFlyer alerts so that I would instantly be emailed when Alitalia released award availability, which is always at the Delta Saver level. I was then able to immediately call and book to take that availability before anyone else (which is why I love ExpertFlyer).

Sara is hoping to book two tickets from Chicago to Rome, but only sees one spot available, and is wondering whether she should book it and wait for another seat to open up.

Getting to Rome using miles can be difficult, since it's a top destination. (Image courtesy of Shutterstock)

Will another ticket open up? The answer depends on a number of factors that American Airlines isn't going to let us know, like how well the flight is selling, what level of competition there is, and what else is happening behind the scenes. Availability may open up, and it may not. One option would be to book the second ticket at a mid or high award level, and then set an ExpertFlyer alert for SAAver availability. If that availability opens up, you can call and cancel the other award, and re-book at the SAAver level--it will probably be worth it to pay the fees to get back those miles you would save. If not, at least you still get to take your trip to Rome using miles, even though you probably used more than you had originally hoped.

In conclusion, be flexible, keep checking back on the site, and of course set those ExpertFlyer alerts. You can't predict whether the seats you want will open up, but you can at least take steps to make sure that if it does, you'll be the one to get it.

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If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook, or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

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Intro Offer
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual Fee
$325
Recommended Credit
Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
Solid welcome bonus

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.