Every year I go to a conference, at my own expesen, the weekend before
Thanksgiving weekend.  THis time it's in San Antonio, TX.  I'm looking at my
options fro flying there and I have a fewq questiosn.
1.  I have enough awared points to get a free round trip on AMerican, but
there is not a round trip available on the days I want to go . American told
me thatey don't do waiting lists for this sort of thing.  They told me that
Advantage Award seats may be later added but they said that the odds weren't
good for that to happen on the ONT to SAT route that goes through
Dallas/Fort Worth.   Is it reasonable to wait in hopes that award seats will
be added?  IF I need to leave on NOv 19 from ONT, how long should I wait and
hope that award seats open up before buyinga  ticket on some other airline?
(AMerican is abuot the most expensive right now, according to Orbitz, for
what I want).

2.  I checked on Orbitz two weeks ago and everyone wanted over $300.00.
SOuthwes wants 198.00.  THis week I checked Orbitz and United is down to
$225.00, if I"m willing to go in the imddle of the night.   (I'm doubtful
that my hotel will let me check in at 9 AM inthe morning, however) .  Should
I expect prices to fall more?  What month would be probably the best for
finding the best deals for this trip?  September?  October?I want to reserve
early enough to be sure I get an aisle seat, but I don't much care which
carrier, since my award points seem to be useless when I most need them
(this anhual trip, for example), so it doesn't really matter what carrier.

3.  Is anyone likely to beat the current SOuthwest price of $99.00 each way?
Might I expect Southwest to run a special that would take the price down
signifcantly below that?   I'm content with Southwest, though I prefer the
leg room on American, but not $100.00 more worth.

  I should note that I can live with restrictions and bok well in advance.
I'd be happy to book now at a better price.  I'd like to be closer to $150,
if that's possible. I don't know historiclaly what this route costs at any
given time of yera, because I've only gone to San ANtonio from southern
California onc ein my life before, and it was about twnety yers ago for a
wedding.

  Thanks for any advice.



Ken