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Like many involved in this hobby, we like to scout for premium award availability from time to time. You know… just to see what's out there. Recently, this led to the discovery of widespread AA Flagship First availability—with Web Special pricing as low as 55K miles. Now, we are finding even more premium-class availability with even better pricing!
AAdvantage members can currently book trips to London, Sao Paulo, and more in AA Flagship First starting at only 55,000 AA miles. Or, if you'd prefer to stay stateside, book lie-flat business-class starting at only 20,000 miles. Upgrade to Flagship First Class for the transcontinental flight for just 33,000 miles each way.
How Web Specials Work
There are a few important things to note about these opportunities before we get into specific routes. First, all award itineraries priced below standard award rates are dynamically-priced Web Specials. That means that the pricing can change at any time. So, if you see a deal that works for you, book it!
Before AA changed its cancellation policy, the downside of Web Specials was their lack of flexibility. While Web Specials still can't be changed, any AAdvantage award—including Web Specials—can now be canceled and refunded for no fee at least 60 days to departure. Within 60 days of departure, however, changes and cancellations involve a fee determined by your AAdvantage status.
Second, AA uses some very frustrating ‘married-segment' logic for AA-operated award routings. This means that non-stop itineraries between AA hubs typically don't get the best pricing. Consequently, all of the itineraries here involve one connection.
Finally, the fallout of COVID-19 has caused AA to alter its route schedule and aircraft assignments drastically. This limits the options for international departure points and can lead to last-minute equipment swaps or involuntary downgrades. While we hope that this won't be too much of an issue with these itineraries next spring or summer, it's still something worth keeping in mind.
Available Routes
These are the routes that AA currently offers a true first-class product:
- Dallas (DFW) – Tokyo Haneda (HND): now scheduled to start operating March 28, 2021
- Dallas (DFW) – Hong Kong (HKG)
- Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), and Dallas (DFW) – São Paulo (GRU)
- Dallas (DFW), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) – London (LHR)
- Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) – New York (JFK)
Additionally, several routes are featuring lie-flat business-class products with equally enticing pricing. As long as you follow the same guidelines listed above when searching for availability, you're bound to find something.
New York City (EWR) — Hong Kong (HKG)
- Flagship First Class: 70,000 miles one-way
- Flagship Business Class: 60,000 miles one-way
- Premium Economy: 45,000 miles one-way
- Economy: 35,000 miles one-way
Los Angeles (LAX) — New York City (JFK)
- Flagship First Class: 33,000 miles one-way
- Flagship Business Class (lie-flat): 20,000 miles one-way
- Economy: 10,000 miles one-way
Indianapolis (IND) — Sao Paulo (GRU)
- Flagship First Class: 55,000 miles one-way
- Flagship Business Class: 45,000 miles one-way
- Premium Economy: 30,000 miles one-way
- Economy: 20,000 miles one-way
Nashville (BNA) — Tokyo (HND)
- Flagship First Class: 70,000 miles one-way
- Flagship Business Class: 60,000 miles one-way
- Premium Economy: 45,000 miles one-way
- Economy: 35,000 miles one-way
Phoenix (PHX) — London (LHR)
- Flagship First Class: 60,000 miles one-way
- Flagship Business Class: 50,000 miles one-way
- Premium Economy: 35,000 miles one-way
- Economy: 25,000 miles one-way
Bottom Line
If your preferred departure city isn't listed above, don't give up trying. These deals are widespread, so go ahead and pop your origin airport in to see what's available.
Keep in mind that American Airlines' business class lie-flat product is excellent on all of these routes. Plus, business-class availability is even more widespread than first-class. Often you can book business class for the same prices listed above but with better routings—including some non-stop itineraries.
Admittedly, the notion of traveling freely to Hong Kong or London seems like a dream right now. But, pricing like this—with waived cancellation fees outside 60 days to departure—makes it easy to book something now. Then, we can all hope circumstances improve enough to make the trip happen. In the meantime, it'd be nice to have something to look forward to!
Show me how
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