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American Airlines’ best Business and First Class is on its new 777-300ERs. Both cabins feature flat beds.
There is almost never award space on any of its routes.
American has added a second daily 777-300ER from Los Angeles to London to its schedule for next year.
The flight was loaded into the schedule today, and as often happens, there’s a bit of a glitch and many days next spring have 6 First Class award space.
- How many miles does the award space cost?
- What is the award space picture?
- How can you book the award space?
- How long will this last?
- How can you get American Airlines miles?
American charges:
- 20k or 30k miles each way to Europe in economy depending on the season
- 50k miles in Business Class
- 62.5k miles in First Class
These prices are lower than Delta and United because American hasn’t devalued its award chart this year and has committed to not devaluing it during its integration with US Airways. US Airways miles can also book MileSAAver award space on American. For space on the Los Angeles to London flight, US Airways would charge:
- 60k miles roundtrip to Europe in economy
- 100k miles in Business Class
- 125k miles in First Class
I searched aa.com for 6 award seats on the direct flight just now. That’s the most seats you can search for, and some days there is space to Europe. All the space is between March 29 and May 27. There are more days with 1 or 2 seats.
The return is much better with 6 award seats in First Class most days between March 29 and May 29.
You an book this space with AA miles on aa.com or with US Airways miles by calling 800-622-1015. You can book with British Airways Avios on ba.com, but you will incur big fuel surcharges.
I expect this award space to disappear today or tomorrow, so act fast if you want it. Remember that AA allows free 5 day holds online and US Airways allows 3 day holds by phone.
Getting the Miles
Since the space will disappear, these cards won’t help you get this exact award space, but be ready next time!
Right now the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard® is offering 50,000 bonus miles and two lounge passes after spending $3,000 in the first three months. The card also comes with other awesome benefits like a 10% rebate on miles used for award bookings.
We know that the US Airways® Premier World MasterCard® will no longer be offered to new applicants as soon as the US Airways and American Airlines frequent flyer programs integrate, some time in the second quarter of 2015. That means that the chance to earn 40,000 bonus miles after first purchase will disappear soon. Check out all the places you can go with just the sign up bonus.
All US Airways miles not redeemed on the US Airways chart by the time of integration will become American Airlines miles, and American Airlines has committed to not devaluing its award chart at the time of combination. The two types of miles are roughly equal in value.
Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
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Seems to be unbookable when I try.