American Airlines Award Certificates?

[mommyx2]

Is anyone familiar with Award Certificates and how they work? They are part of a promotion with aa, "buy 3 get 1 free". My husband and my six year old son are redeeming two of them and my daughter and I are using frequent flier miles for our trip in June.

I was just wondering if anyone out there had ever used Award Certificates and how their experience was.

We've always used swa rapid rewards tickets which are so easy to use!

 

[Jestocost]

I used a couple for a flight we just took in March. The problem with the award certificates is that there are a number of blackout dates (they should be printed on the certificate) and a fairly limited number of available seats. There also are limited seats available for people using AA FF miles, but at least there are no blackout dates in 2004.

The process for using the certificates also is more cumbersome. While you can book regular FF tickets online now (really easy!), you have to book tickets using the certificates over the phone. As a result, you may be better off booking all of the tix together. Once you've booked (you'll need to have the certificate numbers available), then you'll have to mail the certificates to an address they'll provide before they'll officially ticket you.

It's a pain, but it's free tickets.

 

[mommyx2]

So were emailed when the seats were officially ticketed?

Should I call and confirm that the certificates were received?

Yeah, you're right what a pain! A pain, but free!

Thanks for the reply!

Melissa in St. Charles!!

 

[Jestocost]

Yes, they did send me e-tickets via e-mail after the certificates were received and processed. I also sent the certificates via certified mail so that I received a return receipt to prove they had been delivered.

I think you also can see the reservations on the AA.com site if you search using the record locator before they're ticketed (you have to register on the site and have a FF #, which you DH obviously does to get it set up). You also will probably wind up with multiple records, but that's usually not too much of a problem.

 

[mommyx2]

I've already put them in an envelope, but havent mailed them yet. I think I will go the post office and mail them certified instead. That will save the worry of wondering if they made it or not.

You've been a great help....

Thanks.