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Add to del.icio.usThis strategy works on American Airlines flights using 777s and 767-200s configured with three cabins (coach, Business Class, and First Class), on which the carrier only sells two classes: economy and First Class.
Domestically, these flights' seat maps view the Business Class cabin as economy. Therefore, travelers with “priority seating privileges” can confirm what are generally American Airlines Business Class seats—for any economy fare or mileage award!
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To get through the velvet rope you have to be one of the following:
- An elite American Airlines AAdvantage program member
- A full-fare coach passenger (discounted First Class fares are usually lower, though)
- A Oneworld elite member
- A preferred American Airlines travel agency with corporate customers. (See if your company qualifies.)
This article is adapted from the FlightBliss Special Report American Airlines Frequent Flyer Secrets.
For more techniques on getting Business and First Class upgrades and award seats, along with the latest news on fares and comfort upgrades, subscribe to First Class Flyer.
AA is cutting back on 777 domestic usage. I used to do AA 401 from MIA to DFW on the business seat paying for coach but they are introducing a 757 instead. Same from DFW to ORD...
Please publish more domestic fare strategies. Is there a way we can form a lobby against various airlines that treat their loyal customers like Osama's baggage? When airlines like Delta, U.S. Air, American etc start squeezing their flyers can't we collectively start to complain and put some heat on them?
Can you tell me whether American Airlines is correct in saying that British Airways will not accept American Airlines frequent flyer miles across the Atlantic unless you commence from Canada? After all BA is a code share partner.
I joined American's AAirpass program and now considering United plan. I am curiour if you would share your thought as to advantages and disadvantages. Thanks
Posted by: GToulson | 7:51 PM CT March 16 Can you tell me whether American Airlines is correct in saying that British Airways will not accept American Airlines frequent flyer miles across the Atlantic unless you commence from Canada? After all BA is a code share partner. My friend, They are adamant about it. I just booked a reward to Spain from San Diego and in order to fly with British I have to fly from SAN to Vancouver and then to London so that I can redim my miles with them and not fly crappy AA.
My understanding is that the AA/BA no-transferring-miles travelled between the US and UK is actualy due to a regulation (passed by congress, I think) that was intended to prevent some sort of monopoly. This goes back years and only affects AA and BA. For example you can transfer Air France miles between JFK and CDG to Delta. It has something to do with the fact that AA and BA were the first partnership. Anyway it is certainly unfair and makes the OneWorld program uncompetitive. I don't understand why AA doesn't try harder to get the regulation changed. It makes me wonder if they perhaps prefer it that way - ?
Well our trip to Australia, NZealand was a huge success. UNITED was used to fly to Sydney - LAX lounge was dirty, coffee machine broken, nothing to read - flight was okay but no new seats in business class yet. From Auckland, we flew AIR NEW ZEALAND. WOW! Loung was fabulous with top notch service and good food, flat beds very comfortable, etc. Now MY QUESTION is: How difficult is it to obtain Singapore flights with miles for business class from LAX to Singapore? Anyone used miles for this?
No comment yet, I will await useful ideas with bated breath and comment in about a month.
I ADEGBILERO TEMITOPE FRANCIS. I JOINED AMERICA'S AAIR PASS PROGRAM, AND NOW CONSIDERING UNITED PLAN. IAM CURIOUR. IF YOU WOULD SHARE YOUR THOUGHT, AS TO ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE. THANKS
fly to new york and then SILVERJET to london...business class ONLY... 1/2 price and tremendous service,,,,also on to Dubai.
I ADEGBILERO TEMITOPE GET ALERTS ON THIS DESTINATION AND NOTIFY ME WHEN NEW COMMENTS ARE POSTED PLEASE REMEMBER ME THANK YOU TEII ME THE TIME AND DATE THAT I WILL GO. THANK YOU !
AA elite programs and obtaining upgrades.
I need the info on business class upgrades from ord, dtw ,msp to hongkong.We use this route often, and cannot afford to pay anywhere near business class prices, yet the work on the other end requires fully rested brains on arrival in hkg.we have plenty of airline choice flexibility.-------thanks for the assistance.
I lucked into those business class seats on a recent round-trip to Paris. My wife and I had row 16 there and back. It was quite pleasant. This was a trip using my FF miles. I'm a gold card holder, so that might have made the difference.
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