rkkwan

Good to see AA expanding again. Kind of OT, but they also applied to DOT for LAX-PVG recently.

scrb11

I've been with Delta for almost 20 years and looking to move over.

UAL seems better, with more options to Europe (even after the UAL and Continental merger).

But I looked at AA because of their current credit card offers, which gives you up to 100k miles for new members. I signed up for the 75,000 deal.

AA has some good routes and prices to destinations like Spain and SFO-HKG seems pretty competitive. To Italy isn't as good as SkyTeam or Star Alliance tho, both for earning and redeeming miles.

One hangup tho is that UAL will supposedly match my Delta Gold Medallion status right away, which will permit me to accumulate bonus miles immediately.

AA doesn't status match but they have a fee-based challenge program. For $120, you can try to match for Gold by accumulating 5000 points in 90 days. For $200, you can try to match for Platinum by accumulating 10,000 points.

Cheapest discount fares are only .5 points per mile flown.

So other than the Citi mileage promo, there isn't much pulling me to AA ...

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Thank you for all the great information, Gardyloo.

wally34949

What kind of plane are they using out of San Diego? I've heard getting a full 747 out of SAN is almost impossible because of the short runway.

Also, what kind of plane will AA use from Chicago to Helsinki, a 767? Continental uses 757's for northern Europe which makes coach crampted.

Gardyloo

BA will be using 777s on SAN-LHR, in 3-class configuration (Y, Y+ and J.) BA formerly ran 747s on that route; the runway is more than capable. The approach/TO can be startling to those unfamiliar with SAN's location, of course .

AA is putting a 763 on ORD-HEL and I assume JFK-BUD (too far for a 752); IB will run a 346 from LAX.

Underhill

Does this mean (my eyes are burning!) that AA business-class tickets from Dallas to Heathrow will be extended on the Heathrow-Nice portion of our flight?

Gardyloo

<i>Does this mean (my eyes are burning!) that AA business-class tickets from Dallas to Heathrow will be extended on the Heathrow-Nice portion of our flight?</i>

Only if you paid for business-class travel all the way to Nice, or are redeeming AA miles for DFW-LHR-NCE in business. If you're using miles or SWUs to upgrade from coach to business on the AA leg (DFW-LHR) then no, you'll be in coach from London to Nice.

scrb11

Does AA or any of the One World alliance airlines have A380s or 787s in their fleet or on order?

Gardyloo

Qantas is currently flying A380s on several routes; BA has some on order. AA, BA, Royal Jordanian, Lan and Qantas have all ordered 787s with varying delivery targets.

yk

When redeeming miles for trans-Atlantic flights, does AA.com now show all AA/BA/IB flights? Or do I still have to call AA to check BA/IB availabilities and book over the phone?

Underhill

We used miles for one ticket to Nice and an upgrade for the second. In 2008 we had two freebusiness-class tickets on AA and were put in British Airway's Club class, and I'm hoping for that again--although given the length of the flight, it doesn't much matter except for the use of the Heathrow lounge.

Gardyloo

<i>When redeeming miles for trans-Atlantic flights, does AA.com now show all AA/BA/IB flights? Or do I still have to call AA to check BA/IB availabilities and book over the phone?</i>

You still have to phone for any partner-operated mileage redemption flights.

<i>We used miles for one ticket to Nice and an upgrade for the second. In 2008 we had two freebusiness-class tickets on AA and were put in British Airway's Club class, and I'm hoping for that again--although given the length of the flight, it doesn't much matter except for the use of the Heathrow lounge.</i>

If the ticket bought with miles was for business class, then that passenger will be in Club Europe and have access to the BA lounges. The passenger who used AA miles to upgrade won't. You can both use the AA lounges at DFW before the first flight.

Underhill

Thanks for that information, which is exactly what the folks at AA told me when I called before Gardylooo posted. I have to say that I don't understand why there's a distinction between paying hard cash for a ticket and using miles to upgrade as opposed to getting a free ticket with miles when it comes to the final leg of the flight. I would have thought it would be the other way around.

At least we'll be able to use the Admirals Club lounge at Heathrow, assuming the renovations have been finished--last time we got kicked up to the Flagship Lounge because the AC was full.

yk

Underhill, yes, the Heathrow T3 AAdmirals Club renovations has been completed. I was there just 2 weeks ago, and WOW, I couldn't recognize the place at all from what it was before (YUK!). I had short connection time and was sorry that I couldn't stay longer!

Underhill

Gardyloo,

Do you think British Airways would let me sit in economy with my husband? I don't want him to sulk!

GaryCA

Approximately how much would the BA fuel surcharge be if I used AA miles to fly from Nice to San Diego? If it's too much I'll book on American, or will I have to pay the same amount.

Gardyloo

Here's a page from BA's Japanese website (can't find the comparable page on BA's US or UK sites) that shows the fuel fines. For Nice > San Diego (all on BA, presumably once BA starts flying LHR-SAN Next year, or else LHR-LAX now) you'd pay $25 for the Nice > London segment in economy, then another $107 for the longhaul flight (west coast = 9+ hours). It would be $32 + $157 in business class. Note every flight counts, in both directions, so a round trip from SAN to Nice would be double the above.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel...e/public/en_jp

Gardyloo

Oops, found the UK page: http://www.britishairways.com/travel...e/public/en_gb

GaryCA

Thanks for that information. I've been checking other sites and it seems that a better option might be to go through Madrid and make an extra stop. Also, my understanding is that American is not charging the fuel surcharge, even through London. I'll have to decide if the convenience of BA all the way is worth the extra $$. I already redeemed miles for my outgoing flight on AA to CDG with no surcharge.

GaryCA

When I called American for my one-way flight from Nice to San Diego, the BA connection through LHR was not available, so I booked through MAD with a connecting flight on Iberia. Most of my preferred flights out of LHR required a higher award level anyway. The cost was $102, including $20 for a phone reservation. I think I'm happier with this.