Get the Transcontinental crossing while the getting is good.
We have more good news on Transcontinental flights. Last month it was United’s Premium Transcon service for $837 round-trip, a couple of weeks ago we found nonstop First Class availability between Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles for $582 round-trip, and two months ago it was American Airlines boasting 7+ seats on its premium Transcon flights for 200+ days of the year for a ridiculously low 40,000 miles round-trip.
Phew. That’s a lot of great numbers in one paragraph.
But the good news doesn’t end there. In this report we’ll cover the latest opportunities on American and United, and also revisit why Delta travelers are still being left out on the wing.
If you have an anniversary, birthday, or any other firm dates or reasons for crossing the country, then now might be a good opportunity for you.
United’s New Service
Let’s start with United, which just announced that it’s returning to New York’s JFK (in addition to continued service from Newark).
United’s New York/JFK-Los Angeles and New York/JFK-San Francisco service begins February 1, 2021, both with two flights daily.
As shown in our Sweet Redeem alerts, both New York-Los Angeles and New York-San Francisco are available to book now in both directions most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 70,000 miles r/t through May 26. Otherwise the regular rate is available at 100,000 miles r/t. Not good.
That’s the same cost and almost exactly the same availability as both the Newark-Los Angeles and Newark-San Francisco routes.
United’s Partner Air Canada offers the same flights for 50,000 miles r/t. Not bad if you want to burn points.
If you don’t have miles, you can transfer Amex points to Air Canada miles or Chase to United.
American Pricing Varies, So Watch Carefully
American Airlines pricing ranges from 40,000 to 42,000 miles round-trip most days of the week (vs. United’s Tue/Wed/Sat), with some days as high as 82,500 miles in early May for both New York-Los Angeles and New York-San Francisco.
And Delta? Sheesh…
Delta ranges from 124,000 to 335,000 miles round-trip, with availability scattered throughout most months at the lowest rates for both New York-Los Angeles and New York-San Francisco. We don’t recommend this. If you have to fly Delta, just pay in cash for the ticket, and save your miles for another scenario.
Thanks FCF, but I don’t live in New YORK or California
No problem. If you live in a city where you have to make a connection, say on a route like Palm Springs-New York, you can easily connect through these premium transcon flights with excellent seats like this and this.