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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!
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It’s asked a very reasonable number of miles for these Flagship classes.
I hope they will not increase the requested number of miles.
If it’s allow us using for another airlines will be best. whatever it’s a good offer. hope will be have more in future.
If only Japan was allowing visitors from America at this time (totally understandable), I’d be all over it!
Se reiniciará el Servicio EZE – LAX ???
Looks like a awesome deal. Too bad for the virus.
No one wants to go to HKG even if you pay them to fly there right now.
What a fantastic deal. I wish I could take some of these flights
It’s really good for me to make a booking from EWR to HKG, I can’t wait me to have a First class trip. Thanks for this information.
Great information! What I find interesting is that the percent increase of the price in miles between economy and premium economy is about the same as the percent increase between premium economy and business, in miles. That’s very different than the differential price in money. I wonder if that’s intentional.
Is there a way to get this first class price in Argentina or it’s only limited to the USA??
American Airlines’ Web Special pricing is limited to routes operated by AA. And AA doesn’t operate Flagship First class to Argentina, but you may be able to get good business class award pricing.
These are great deals for those who are in a position to take part!
Thanks for the scout! Just checked a few departing out of London. The high taxes charged, however, are a deal killer.
These look really nice. I am going to check for any flights going to Asia from Houston. Any advice from more seasoned users?
AA’s website search tool has gotten a lot better, so I’d just use it. Perhaps it’s best to start on this page: https://www.aa.com/booking/find-flights and select “Business / First” under Class and limit to AA flights. Then, click the calendar button when the results load. That’s how I just found Flagship First Class from IAH-DFW-HND for 70k + $5.60 in taxes.
This is amazing! I wish Phoenix was on the list, never do I see it in these awesome specials.
I’m seeing some decent deals from PHX too! As we mention at the bottom, these deals are pretty widespread. For example, I’m seeing 70k Flagship First from PHX-DFW-HND on April 20 and PHX-DFW-GRU on May 12 for 45k in biz or 55k in Flagship First!
How do you find these with the second city?
Just check on AA’s website. You can use the calendar search option to check the cheapest option across an entire month at a time.