Short version:
Would you rather fly:
LHR-DFW-SFO all in first (737-800 domestic leg) or
LHR-JFK-SFO in first then business (767-200 domestic leg)
Long version:
I'm planning a flight way out from LHR to SFO. Right now I have two Z tickets
(saver awards) from LHR-DFW-SFO (traveling with my SO).
I'd like to fly LHR-JFK-SFO to get the better aircraft for the second legs (767-200 instead of 737-800 I believe) but there's only 1 Z saver award for that leg. They can put the other ticket in business and I can hope for a later "upgrade" to first (not really upgrade as that's the award used, AA rep said I can do that for no fee), or I can ask the lucky neighbor in business to swap with my first class seat.
Opinions? First post, so I'm avoiding jargon as much as possible please let me know if something is unclear. Thanks!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HNL
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Short version:
Would you rather fly:
LHR-DFW-SFO all in first (737-800 domestic leg) or
LHR-JFK-SFO in first then business (767-200 domestic leg)
Long version:
I'm planning a flight way out from LHR to SFO. Right now I have two Z tickets
(saver awards) from LHR-DFW-SFO (traveling with my SO).
I'd like to fly LHR-JFK-SFO to get the better aircraft for the second legs (767-200 instead of 737-800 I believe) but there's only 1 Z saver award for that leg. They can put the other ticket in business and I can hope for a later "upgrade" to first (not really upgrade as that's the award used, AA rep said I can do that for no fee), or I can ask the lucky neighbor in business to swap with my first class seat.
Opinions? First post, so I'm avoiding jargon as much as possible please let me know if something is unclear. Thanks!
JFK-SFO 762 J beats DFW-SFO 738 F in every respect, IMO.
So, if the itineraries are equally convenient, I'd go for JFK.
My definition of convenient itinerary in this case: Not more than 2.5 hours connection time, not having to wake up earlier than 8AM in London
Do JFK - you will have a very good chance of up"faring" to Z anyway, F will fill up far less quickly than J on the 762 (I'd recommend an expertflyer alert if you have the capability). And I would agree that biz JFK-SFO is a good flight anyway.
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Arguments for JFK:
762 J is better than 738 F for sure. You'll get Flagship Lounge at JFK. You can get 2 F seats on the 762 if availability opens up.
Arguments for DFW:
In terms of a TATL flight, LHR-JFK is rather short. I'd rather spend more of my time in a Flagship suite on the 777 than on any other seat in the AA fleet. DFW-SFO is not that long.
I like DFW a lot better than JFK in terms of the airport, and I'm a NYC native. Also, the Admirals Club in DFW A has one of the best showers I've used anywhere.
I'd probably go for JFK, but in my opinion, it's pretty close.
Edit to add: Welcome to FT!
Last edited by Apieinthesky; Nov 16, 12 at 6:24 pm..
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Welcome to FT!
I agree with Apie's reasoning, but also come down on the same side of the ledger: Go via JFK. It's nice to end an international trip on a nicer plane, especially when flying with one's SO.
Thank you for all of the responses. I really appreciate the experienced opinions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by carlosdca
JFK-SFO 762 J beats DFW-SFO 738 F in every respect, IMO.
That seems to be the strong consensus. As I saw it, the only upside to the DFW route was that I'd be on the TATL first for an extra 2 hours, but I also don't think that wins out versus a nicer cabin for the last several hours.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apieinthesky
In terms of a TATL flight, LHR-JFK is rather short. I'd rather spend more of my time in a Flagship suite on the 777 than on any other seat in the AA fleet. DFW-SFO is not that long.
I like DFW a lot better than JFK in terms of the airport, and I'm a NYC native. Also, the Admirals Club in DFW A has one of the best showers I've used anywhere.
Agreed in regards to the TATL flight, that's why I was even considering it. We have an insanely awesome shower at home, which has honestly ruined sweet showers pretty much anywhere else (including many upper end hotels) :-)
Does anyone know how likely they are to release saver Z tickets towards the end (or between now and the flight, in general)? It seems that far out they only ever have 2. Speculation, I know...
The one at DFW A is a rain shower with a ceiling plate + hand showerhead + 6 body showerheads. And it's very roomy. Better than almost any shower I've had at high end hotels too. First thing I thought was it would be put to much better use if my SO was traveling with me. To save water, of course.
This is very similar to the shower at my old place (ceiling rain-style and side wall sprayers, separate wand, and a steam shower). She hated that shower. I don't get her.
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You do not give schedules, planned time of arrival at JFK, but if you are able to connect to AA 85 JFK/SFO leaving at 3.30 and if the space is available, you'll get the 763 front cabin which has the International J seat, better than the 762 seat.
Does anyone know how likely they are to release saver Z tickets towards the end (or between now and the flight, in general)? It seems that far out they only ever have 2. Speculation, I know...
Very likely, if they don't sell the seats. But as you say, we can only speculate on whether (and at what pace) they'll sell the seats. You can get an ExpertFlyer.com subscription and set up a Flight Alert to automatically monitor for the Z inventory. It will check at least several times per day for availaility and SMS/e-mail you when it finds it. Then you can call AA and have the ticket reissued, since they don't allow waitlisting for award inventory.
One point not mentioned that argues for DFW over JFK - depending on time of the year, it could be a good idea to avoid JFK for weather reasons. Specifically snow in the winter and T-storms in the summer afternoons/evenings. DFW probably faces the latter, but I think generally it's less disruptive.
The seats on DFW-SFO in a 738 are perfectly fine for a mid-day flight that length, although true that they are not "as good" as the 762.
You do not give schedules, planned time of arrival at JFK, but if you are able to connect to AA 85 JFK/SFO leaving at 3.30 and if the space is available, you'll get the 763 front cabin which has the International J seat, better than the 762 seat.
Thanks Cofyknsult: I had noticed AA 85 and didn't know if the 763 business class would be as nice or not (even with SeatGuru it's sometimes hard to tell). Either way, the earliest flight from LHR comes in too late (scheduled to land at exactly the same time as AA 85 takes off).
Quote:
Originally Posted by ijgordon
Then you can call AA and have the ticket reissued, since they don't allow waitlisting for award inventory.
Thanks for the advice. The AA rep claimed she put me on it (since it's not technically an upgrade, I guess?). She called it a "desired" list? It might mean nothing, but certainly seemed no harm in being on whatever list she put me on. Either way, I've set up EF alerts for multiple options so I can call and manually change if something better comes up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ijgordon
One point not mentioned that argues for DFW over JFK - depending on time of the year, it could be a good idea to avoid JFK for weather reasons. Specifically snow in the winter and T-storms in the summer afternoons/evenings. DFW probably faces the latter, but I think generally it's less disruptive.
This will be travel in mid-September so I think weather shouldn't be too much of an issue.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ijgordon
You can get an ExpertFlyer.com subscription and set up a Flight Alert to automatically monitor for the Z inventory. It will check at least several times per day for availaility and SMS/e-mail you when it finds it. Then you can call AA and have the ticket reissued, since they don't allow waitlisting for award inventory.
Excellent advice. EF is a very good service to sign up for on a permanent basis if you think you might use it regularly. It might not be worth it for just this one flight, though FWIW the monthly subscription is only about $10.
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If I were you, I'd fly LHR-DFW-SFO in F because I'd have a little extra time to sleep in my comfy first class seat on the LHR-DFW leg. After all, I'd want to get my money's worth if I shelled out a quite a bit extra for an F seat.
Besides, the DFW-SFO leg isn't too bad in F on a 738. I haven't flown J on a 762, but I'm sure the F seat on the 738 is more modernized and comfortable than the J seat on the 762. Anyone disagree?
If you were in Y, I'd suggest that you go through JFK. However, being in F changes everything. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your long flight in comfort. LHR-JFK really is just too short!
LHR-JFK-SFO in F/J or LHR-DFW-SFO in F/F?
To save water, of course.
