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American Airlines is offering some business class web specials with transcon flights available from just 15K miles each way according to The Points Guy. The best prices I’ve found are actually starting from 16K, but I’m posting rather than continuing to search for those 15K flights to give readers the best chance to snag these deals while you can.
The Deal
- American Airlines is offering business/first class web specials on some transcontinental US flights, with prices from around 15K miles each way (in some cases with flat-bed legs)
- These deals are mostly available mid-week on connecting itineraries between now and April from New York City to the west coast or vice versa
Key Details
- American Airlines web specials cannot be changed once ticketed and are subject to a fee to reinstate miles
Quick Thoughts
Last year, American Airlines began offering “economy web specials”, sometimes offering domestic economy class award tickets for as few as 5K miles each way. I wrote that this was a hidden devaluation of sorts in that AA has made their web specials inflexible — that is to say that most members can not change or cancel without paying a fee. Still, savings of over 50% off of the regular price for routes that include flat-bed seats might be worth the trade for some.
TPG notes the best prices being available on transcon itineraries from New York City-area airports, including Long Island Islip (ISP), though they will require a connection. I had little trouble finding sample 1-stop itineraries from New York to Los Angeles, mostly during mid-week dates. Finding itineraries with flat bed seats is more challenging, but not impossible. For instance, this itinerary from New York LaGuardia to Los Angeles connects via Philadelphia onto a 787.
That should have 1-2-1 flat bed seats — provided of course that there are no last-minute equipment swaps or operational issues (which is obviously not a guarantee).
Availability is mostly between now and April, but as is the case with web specials it is always possible that you’ll see options at any time. If you’re planning a transcon trip, it’s worth taking a look to see if business/first class web specials are available. Even if you aren’t able to snag flat bed seats, the combination of free bags and a more comfortable ride could be worth the small premium over traditional economy class pricing.
H/T: The Points Guy
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Gee, I checked my AA account, and all my miles are gone! In fact, the account itself seems to be gone. WTF?!
Good one. I wonder how many gung-ho bloggers had their accounts wiped out too. Not that they’d deserve such a thing of course…..
I have no idea. We linked to one in Week in Review this week. I never opened cards via the mailers nor wrote about it here, but obviously knew it was going on for a long time. Tough situation for sure.
call them up