how does AA web special work?

Anonymous · ‎11-11-2019

Just scored a round trip from DFW to TLH for 10k AA miles at a nice 3.5cpm (3 if consider other airlines/airports).

Problem is TLH is not a web special route. I am getting quite confused as to how this thing works. My impression have been its applies to limited routes. Anyone has more of a understanding of this web special thing?

EDIT, tried various route DFW-JAX, DFW-LAX, ORD-LAX, SEA-LAX, JFK-LAX, BOS-SFO, it seems web special is now a permanent option? If so, thats massive increase in AA mile values.

Shadowfactor · ‎11-11-2019

@Anonymous wrote:
Just scored a round trip from DFW to TLH for 10k AA miles at a nice 3.5cpm (3 if consider other airlines/airports).

Problem is TLH is not a web special route. I am getting quite confused as to how this thing works. My impression have been its applies to limited routes. Anyone has more of a understanding of this web special thing?

EDIT, tried various route DFW-JAX, DFW-LAX, ORD-LAX, SEA-LAX, JFK-LAX, BOS-SFO, it seems web special is now a permanent option? If so, thats massive increase in AA mile values.

They can change every month, but it may include the same city pairs or origin city for several months.

They definitely include other cities that aren't on the chart like recently AKL and CDG.

WC-USA and AKL was recently on sale for as low as 5K each way. Scored a trip myself, although I'm not a fan of doing it in Y. 12K miles RT is hard to beat though.

Don't get too excited about AA web special. It's just a ploy to convince the general public that dynamic pricing is a good thing. Web Specials are the equivalent of basic economy. All it does is drive the costs higher for other tickets.

Total Revolving Limits $254,800

Anonymous · ‎11-11-2019

I am just impressed by the wide range of the availability here, so far I have yet to find a route that doesn't have web special at this time. And speaking for a basic traveler myself, this web special has one thing over basic economy: I can actually select seat at time of purchase.

I will start looking at AA.com more frequently then, would save some decent amount of money. If I can score 3 times a year, it would make me happily keep my aaps/aapsbiz pass anniversary.

Regarding dynamic system, I am afraid that ship has sailed. No amount of uproar will change it back at this point. At least AA stil have some good value options, unlike Delta.

Shadowfactor · ‎11-11-2019

@Anonymous wrote:
I am just impressed by the wide range of the availability here, so far I have yet to find a route that doesn't have web special at this time. And speaking for a basic traveler myself, this web special has one thing over basic economy: I can actually select seat at time of purchase.

I will start looking at AA.com more frequently then, would save some decent amount of money. If I can score 3 times a year, it would make me happily keep my aaps/aapsbiz pass anniversary.

Regarding dynamic system, I am afraid that ship has sailed. No amount of uproar will change it back at this point. At least AA stil have some good value options, unlike Delta.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

web specials isn't dynamic pricing, it's said to a test for dynamic pricing.

When ever AA does move to dynamic pricing, it's new pricing model could be way worse then DL's or it could be better. In typical AA fashion they will manage a way to screw the pooch though I'm sure.

Plus it's also not a given that AA will keep the web special awards once it moves to dynamic pricing. They could axe it all

together. If I remember correctly, delta didn't start these skymiles flash sales for a while after they switched.

it's bad news regardless, people get excited at 30K skymiles RT for domestic, that used to be a hell of a lot less.

Total Revolving Limits $254,800

TheBoondocks · ‎11-11-2019

I wanted to know too cause I've been looking at flights from the bay area to the east coast and midwest and saw that it was 10k AA miles plus tax in cash. But, was wondering if those SUB could use those web saver? What does dynamic pricing means? If I could get those web saver to the popular cities in the US, I think I would get and keep the AA credit cards.

Anonymous · ‎11-11-2019

@TheBoondocks wrote:
I wanted to know too cause I've been looking at flights from the bay area to the east coast and midwest and saw that it was 10k AA miles plus tax in cash. But, was wondering if those SUB could use those web saver? What does dynamic pricing means? If I could get those web saver to the popular cities in the US, I think I would get and keep the AA credit cards.

Miles you earned through SUB is the same as any other AA miles, so yeah you can use them on these web special prices. Now problem is we don't really know if these web special prices are permanent or its an occasional feature.

Even without web special, AA's platinum select has reduced mileage award, which reduced miles required for booking, if you can book 2 of these per year, you would make back the AF.

Dynamic pricing means there will be no award chart, therefore each award flight may cost different amount of miles (AKA dynamic). Delta and United went dynamic already, AA is doing it in a bit different way, as far as I can see. It still has an award chart, but is introducing different award prices by adding more award levels: web special, premium economy.

There will be winners and losers when airlines go dynamic. overall probably more losers than winners. But if 10k domestic flight is wide spread, I would say AA's dynamic benefit cheapo flyers more.

TheBoondocks · ‎11-11-2019

Oh okay, makes sense thanks bro! Btw, I thought they took the 10% reduced milage rebate away already? It's why I hear a lot of people cancel their aa cards or downgrade cause that really helped, but instead the replaced it with the round up miles.

Anonymous · ‎11-12-2019

That was 10% rebate on the miles redeemed, it's different than reduced mileage award.

Yes they took that away. The reduced mileage award is more than compensate for that, IMHO, 7500/25000 is almost 30% return, vs 10% rebate. It is more restricted as to the airport you can fly to/out though, so first check to see if you will actually benefit from this.

TheBoondocks · ‎11-12-2019

Oh yeah, I see it. Thanks! But the total time is killing me lol shouldn't take a whole day to get to the place tho lol

Anonymous · ‎11-12-2019

@Anonymous wrote:
Dynamic pricing means there will be no award chart, therefore each award flight may cost different amount of miles (AKA dynamic). Delta and United went dynamic already, AA is doing it in a bit different way, as far as I can see. It still has an award chart, but is introducing different award prices by adding more award levels: web special, premium economy.

There will be winners and losers when airlines go dynamic. overall probably more losers than winners. But if 10k domestic flight is wide spread, I would say AA's dynamic benefit cheapo flyers more.

This is the part I don't like. I prefer to know how many miles I need to go from point A to point B on any given day, not it being cheaper or higher(likely higher) based on random info. Or due to how mnay times you've visted that itinerary driving up demand. Sure it will be nice if you can catch a cheaper flights due to this change, but given my experience it's more likely not to work out in your favor.