so. I learned something useful today. Originally I had a trip plan of 5 nights Maui, 2 nights LA on our way home bc that's all I could see booking Avios awards. (Maui) I did some checking around,and was given some advice online that I should call and switch to 7 nights on Maui,and just head home,don't stop in LA. I figured It couldn't hurt to try it. SO I checked BA site, no awards available for the new date home. Then I checked the AA site, and found an Alaska Air flight on my new date that seemed great...... So I then opened a new window and found the award flight on the AK air site....then I called BA to inquire about changing the flights,and figured the charges would be worth the itinerary tweaks. On the call I got a great agent who talked me thru the best way to do this- she instructed me to CANCEL the flights,and rebook using the points for the flight I could see on AK Air. (I was anxious bc my last experience doing this was not good and took a long while to get my points back) She told me she'd do it ALL on the phone,right then if I canceled now. (wow) so I did it. It took about 10 minutes on the phone,and she rebooked us on our new date,so we now have a full 7 nights in Maui! By canceling,then having her rebook right then on the phone, I only had to 'pay' the 5.60 taxes on the original ticket,no cost to change it!
This is especially awesome bc I had the Marriott nights and flights certificate already attached to my 5 night res. and I just added the extra 2 days!!! So for the same amount of points I got Maui for the full week plus the SWA points for use now. SO EXCITED
And the flight home from LAx coincides nicely with our new date too! I'm wondering now..... If our OGG-LAX flight lands at 12:30 am,and our LAX-BOS flight leaves at 6:30 am..... should I look into possibly hanging out in a lounge at LAX for those few hours to wait? I have PP,plus some extra lounge thingys from the Hilton Amex Biz I could use.....