I’ve see the term “phantom award space” mentioned on blogs and message boards over the years, but I’ve never personally encountered it until recently.
What is phantom award space?
Phantom award space is when award availability shows up on an airline’s website, but it’s a mistake and the award space really isn’t available to book. It can be a big deal if you transferred flexible points from a bank (Amex, Cap One, Citi or Chase) to an airline to book the award, as these transfers are not reversible.
My experience with phantom award space on Alaska Airlines
My family of 5 is going to Japan next year. I already booked flights TO Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL) with partner airline British Airways. But, I was waiting for Alaska Airlines’ award calendar to catch up so that I could use Alaska miles to book return flights home. My husband transferred some Bilt Rewards points to Alaska a few days prior with a 75% Rent Day bonus, woohoo!
Since British Airways’ calendar is ahead by a few weeks, I could already see that there was no award availability on JAL nonstop to DFW (my home airport). I was going to settle for a nonstop flight from Tokyo to LAX or Chicago instead. Not a huge deal.
So, imagine my surprise when my booking day arrived and Alaska Airlines showed seats available in premium economy nonstop to DFW!
Yippee! I love nonstop flights, especially when we’re flying internationally. I immediately started booking this flight for my husband and boys, and I got to the last step of inputting my credit card number.
Unfortunately, after I hit enter and waited for my confirmation number, I got this error message:
NO! Say it isn’t so! I tried a few more times with no success.
I decided to check British Airways, and sure enough, BA was not showing any award availability for this flight.
Not willing to give up just yet, I called Alaska Airlines and spoke to a friendly agent. I explained the situation to her, and she said it’s not uncommon. She looked on her end, and the flight was indeed not available to book in any award class. The agent said sometimes the two airlines’ systems misalign/miscommunicate and show award space that really isn’t there. She did suggest I keep looking and call again in a week.
Thankfully, premium economy seats were available from Tokyo to LAX and Chicago for our desired date. The booking went through, and I received confirmation numbers.
How to avoid wasting miles on phantom award space
In all of my years booking awards, I’ve never run into this issue before. But, phantom award space does happen.
Before you transfer flexible miles to an airline to book an award, I recommend you check an additional partner airline to see if the award space is real. Some airlines also let you put an award flight on hold. And to be safe, you can call the airline itself to verify award space before you transfer your flexible points.
Have you ever encountered phantom award space?
I checked on ba and Cathay Pacific and like you said, no award space.
Yes, happened to me on Alaska. Luckily I did not transfer any flexible points, I used the sub on the biz and personal. I was able to book Tokyo to Seattle and then a positioning flight home.
@Nat Interesting! This must happen a lot.
Sorry I’m new to award booking, so maybe an newbie question. After you booked the flight to LAX or Chicago, do you book a separate ticket to DFW? And that would cost extra miles/money right?
@Zach Yes, that is correct. The most expensive part of the flight is the international leg over the ocean. I always try to book that first, unless I see nonstop flight or an award connecting flight from my own airport from the get go. If I can’t change to a nonstop to DFW, I’ll have to book an extra flight to/from another city to DFW, also known as a positioning flight. Usually, those domestic tickets are cheaper and easier to come by. I can often find one-way flights to/from Chicago for $50-100. Some airlines do allow you to add a domestic leg for free later if award seats become available
Yes, I have previously noticed phantom seats on Alaska for JAL. Although when I checked in AA and BA, the seats were not available. I believe, at some point, Alaska didn’t have the seats available.
The easy way out is to just check on the availability at the partner airline.
@GBSanDiego Thanks for sharing your data point. Those phantom seats really got my hopes up!