Redeeming miles for an award ticket can feel like you’re getting a treat. But, occasionally, you’ll instead be tricked by phantom award space. And it’s a rather frustrating trick.
Phantom award availability is when an airline shows a fare as bookable with rewards on its site, either in initial search results or even on the final page before you confirm your reservation. But then when you try to book, it gives an error message or otherwise fails.
Phantom award space is particularly haunting if you’ve used a transferable rewards currency, leaving your rewards stuck in this airline account without the ability to book the flight you want.
So, how do you ensure you get treats instead of tricks when booking award flights?
There’s no surefire way, but it can help to call the program you plan to book through and ensure the agent sees the same award availability you see online. If the agent sees the award space, you can transfer rewards immediately or ask whether you can put the award on hold.
Despite occasional issues with phantom award availability, the treats of points and miles still far outnumber the tricks. For more advice on navigating the award booking process, check out the following stories:
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