Really need help with plan for booking AAdvantage

[branv]

I swear I've looked all over the internet and AA's FAQ's, but can't find an answer. Hope you can help.

I need to book on AA using our AAdvantage ff miles for
departure: Thurs, May 8, Austin to MCO
return: Thurs, May 15, MCO to Austin

These dates have not been released for booking, though our departure will be available not too far from now.

I have been watching the availability for Thursday departures for a few weeks now, and within just a few days of the date being released for booking, it jumps from 25K miles to 45K mile as the "anytime" awards get taken. Ergo, I need to book these as soon as they are released.

You see my problem - my departure will be released about a week before my return date is available for booking.

Here is my only option according to the AA agent I called:

I can call them to put a 14-day hold on my outbound flight, with a "bogus" return flight. When the return flight date I want is released, I can call them and change the return flight to the one I want since AA doesn't charge a change fee if you're only changing the date/time. Problem: if you use an actual agent to book a reservation using FF miles, AA charges you $15/per ticket.

I tried to ask the agent more questions, but he got very snotty with me and told me just to let them do it instead of trying to handle it myself online.

What I want to know is why can't I simply do this myself? I can definitely book an AAdvantage award myself online for free with the correct outgoing flight and a bogus returning flight, just like the agent would. BUT, here's the trick! IF you want to make changes to an already booked reservation, you have to call an agent! They don't allow changes online. Is this "No change fee" actually not free? Are they going to charge me that $15/per because I'm technically cancelling and rebooking a return flight?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

(I guess the real question should be why do I have to rely on DIS members for this info b/c I'm chased off by agents with attitude )

 

[disneyag]

What level of AAdvantage are you? If you are a higher level, they should have a special customer service number you can call for help. We have Continental miles and I find that if we talk to people during the week, we get better answers than if we call on the weekends (and we are Continental Elite Platinum which should get you something!)

I'd at least call back to see if you get another agent. It's difficult to use FF miles these days, but you should at least get someone who answers your questions properly! Also, can't you just book a 1 way flight to MCO from AUS? You shouldn't need to book the return flight at the same time.

Good luck!

 

[CarolA]

I am not an AA fan, but I have a feeling you are going to get charged the $15 fee. I would put your original ticket on hold ASAP however.

 

[branv]

Oh we're just your regular old aadvantage members - don't fly enough. Our Citibank AAdvantage is platinum, but I have no idea if that gets us any better treatment. At least it hasn't so far

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I travel AA a lot, but honestly don't book award travel this early.

The problem is that you want to book your outbound flight earlier than the return flight is available online but you need to book a RT online to book at all.

For your itinerary, however, you do have an option. From AUS to MCO, you can book both outbound and return for the same day, as long as you don't mind having a morning flight to MCO. Then you could change the return flight to another date by talking to an agent later without incurring a fee.

Best of luck to you -- Suzanne