Apr 30, 2016, 12:36 pm
Last edit by: Server
OCTOBER 2016 UPDATE
LAX-JFK TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHTS:
1. Same day turns possible on the E-jets and morning 738s.
2. Bonuses now based on fare paid.
3. As of OCTOBER 2016, best fares are now around $1000. Fare tends to rise a few hundred for 2 pax. Fares can also occasionally rise for no discernible reason, but the price spikes have thus far proven to be temporary. Fares have the trend to drop during the year. Keep checking for fares in the $700-$800 ranges for best possible pricing.
4. Airport hotels with shuttles - Crowne Plaza Panama Airport & Riande Aeropuerto. The CP is slightly closer; the Riande is slightly nicer. The CP shuttle leaves the hotel every :00 and :30 and runs 24 hours but they seem to leave a few minutes early as it had left when I went down at 4:00AM on the dot. Also, note UberX charges a US$14 surcharge on top of the ~US$2 fare. CP has poor sound isolation, I could hear my neighbors on both sides including talking, crying baby etc. Had to wear earplugs to sleep.
5. Lounges:
Please refer to this thread for more detailed and accurate information on lounge access in general: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/1656378-help-desk-will-i-have-lounge-access-access-rules-2016-a.html
6. PTY Customs:
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
If you want the transcon bonus, enter the search with a connection in JFK. (e.g. LAX-JFK,JFK-MIA,MIA-PTY,PTY-JFK,JFK-SFO.) You can play around from there to get the best deal. Some of the better deals do not start and end in the same city (e.g. start in LAX, end in SFO may be cheaper than start/end in LAX).
Also, it's possible on the outbound portion to time it so you have no more than a 60-minute layover at JFK or MIA (though note that some of these flights aren't available on weekends). While yes, JFK is notorious for delays, this rarely applies for inbound red-eye flights. Also, note that AA 28 below is sometimes "hidden" if you're looking on Google Flights inside a much more expensive trip; that does not necessarily mean, however, that you can't get it for one of the trips under $1,000 (in other words, try it out to see).
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
Below is the shortest-possible outbound itinerary that has the LAX-JFK transcon on AA's A321T with flat-bed seats:
LAX-JFK on AA 28
10:45pm - 7:22am
JFK-MIA on AA 200
8:15am - 11:24am
(Note: AA has now switched all of the metal it used on this leg - on all JFK-MIA nonstops - to 757s instead of the 767s with international-style F & J seating.)***767 and 772 are back. Flight 200 is a 772**
MIA-PTY on AA 4434
12:33pm - 2:48pm
(Note: Even more distressingly, AA switched from using a 737 on this leg to an RJ, presumably because summer is off-peak season in Central America. The 6:05pm flight still uses a 737 if a full-size aircraft is a must.)
LAX-JFK TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHTS:
Recent fare rule inclusions, effective October 2016, now prevent any routing via JFK on the non-stop transcontinental A321T aircraft. Any future booking will demand a significantly higher fare to route on the non-stops via JFK. Unless the fare rules are modified and these clauses are removed (highly doubtful), the ability to fly on the transcons via JFK is a thing of the past.
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN LAX AND NYC
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
AND
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN SFO AND NYC
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
AND
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN SFO AND NYC
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
1. Same day turns possible on the E-jets and morning 738s.
2. Bonuses now based on fare paid.
3. As of OCTOBER 2016, best fares are now around $1000. Fare tends to rise a few hundred for 2 pax. Fares can also occasionally rise for no discernible reason, but the price spikes have thus far proven to be temporary. Fares have the trend to drop during the year. Keep checking for fares in the $700-$800 ranges for best possible pricing.
4. Airport hotels with shuttles - Crowne Plaza Panama Airport & Riande Aeropuerto. The CP is slightly closer; the Riande is slightly nicer. The CP shuttle leaves the hotel every :00 and :30 and runs 24 hours but they seem to leave a few minutes early as it had left when I went down at 4:00AM on the dot. Also, note UberX charges a US$14 surcharge on top of the ~US$2 fare. CP has poor sound isolation, I could hear my neighbors on both sides including talking, crying baby etc. Had to wear earplugs to sleep.
5. Lounges:
Please refer to this thread for more detailed and accurate information on lounge access in general: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/1656378-help-desk-will-i-have-lounge-access-access-rules-2016-a.html
LAX AIRPORT
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on status, it is simply departing/connecting/arriving at any point on same ticket to and from an eligible international destination. PTY is eligible and not excluded regardless of length.
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on class of service disregarding status, it is the international long haul clause that applies. Therefore, no "oneworld/QF lounge" access for non-elites for trips to and from PTY unless booking transcons since PTY is under 5 hours. BUT AA doesn't enforce this in their own lounges so Admirals Club access is expected.
AA GOLDs(RUBYs)/NON-ELITES
Admirals Club access is granted regardless of routing as AA does not enforce international long haul rule. However, the oneworld J lounge does for Golds(rubys)/non-elites as they are aware the PTY flights are under 5 hours. Booking transcon flights in J/F gains access to the OWJ/QFF lounges.
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Technically NONE (PTY under 5 hours therefore class of service rule applies) BUT AA still opens Admirals Club doors to all customers because they dont enforce the long-haul rule>
AA PLATINUMs
Platinums gain access to all AC/Business lounges regardless of routing due to flying to and from PTY. They gain access to First/Flagship lounges when traveling in F 3-class transcon
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + LAX oneworld J>
AA EXPs
EXPs have access to all lounges at all airports regardless of routing so long as they are traveling to and from PTY on the same itinerary (an international destination neither excluded from AA's list of ineligible regions nor limited by the flight length rule)
<EXPs Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in Y = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in J = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
NON-AA ONEWORLD ELITES
All sapphires and emeralds have some form of lounge access on any flight systemwide
<non-AA sapphires on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX>
<non-AA emeralds on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX + Flagship Lounge + QF F lounge LAX>
OTHER AIRPORTS
SFO - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
JFK - Admirals Club & Flagship Lounge for EXP/First 3-class/Emerald
MIA - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee), Oneworld Premium Lounge for EXP/First 3-Class/Emerald
PTY - No lounge access (Copa with PP, or for a fee, for 7am or later flights)
YVR - No lounge access (PP for a fee)
DFW - Admiral's Club (with F/C Dining for EXP/Emerald) (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on status, it is simply departing/connecting/arriving at any point on same ticket to and from an eligible international destination. PTY is eligible and not excluded regardless of length.
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on class of service disregarding status, it is the international long haul clause that applies. Therefore, no "oneworld/QF lounge" access for non-elites for trips to and from PTY unless booking transcons since PTY is under 5 hours. BUT AA doesn't enforce this in their own lounges so Admirals Club access is expected.
AA GOLDs(RUBYs)/NON-ELITES
Admirals Club access is granted regardless of routing as AA does not enforce international long haul rule. However, the oneworld J lounge does for Golds(rubys)/non-elites as they are aware the PTY flights are under 5 hours. Booking transcon flights in J/F gains access to the OWJ/QFF lounges.
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Technically NONE (PTY under 5 hours therefore class of service rule applies) BUT AA still opens Admirals Club doors to all customers because they dont enforce the long-haul rule>
AA PLATINUMs
Platinums gain access to all AC/Business lounges regardless of routing due to flying to and from PTY. They gain access to First/Flagship lounges when traveling in F 3-class transcon
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + LAX oneworld J>
AA EXPs
EXPs have access to all lounges at all airports regardless of routing so long as they are traveling to and from PTY on the same itinerary (an international destination neither excluded from AA's list of ineligible regions nor limited by the flight length rule)
<EXPs Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in Y = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in J = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
NON-AA ONEWORLD ELITES
All sapphires and emeralds have some form of lounge access on any flight systemwide
<non-AA sapphires on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX>
<non-AA emeralds on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX + Flagship Lounge + QF F lounge LAX>
OTHER AIRPORTS
SFO - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
JFK - Admirals Club & Flagship Lounge for EXP/First 3-class/Emerald
MIA - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee), Oneworld Premium Lounge for EXP/First 3-Class/Emerald
PTY - No lounge access (Copa with PP, or for a fee, for 7am or later flights)
YVR - No lounge access (PP for a fee)
DFW - Admiral's Club (with F/C Dining for EXP/Emerald) (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
6. PTY Customs:
Inbound to PTY -
Outbound to MIA -
7. Finding flights: - 12 noon - no lines reported
- 8PM Fri (5/27/16) - ~10 min line
Outbound to MIA -
- 4:40am - no lines reported
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
If you want the transcon bonus, enter the search with a connection in JFK. (e.g. LAX-JFK,JFK-MIA,MIA-PTY,PTY-JFK,JFK-SFO.) You can play around from there to get the best deal. Some of the better deals do not start and end in the same city (e.g. start in LAX, end in SFO may be cheaper than start/end in LAX).
Also, it's possible on the outbound portion to time it so you have no more than a 60-minute layover at JFK or MIA (though note that some of these flights aren't available on weekends). While yes, JFK is notorious for delays, this rarely applies for inbound red-eye flights. Also, note that AA 28 below is sometimes "hidden" if you're looking on Google Flights inside a much more expensive trip; that does not necessarily mean, however, that you can't get it for one of the trips under $1,000 (in other words, try it out to see).
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
Below is the shortest-possible outbound itinerary that has the LAX-JFK transcon on AA's A321T with flat-bed seats:
LAX-JFK on AA 28
10:45pm - 7:22am
JFK-MIA on AA 200
8:15am - 11:24am
(Note: AA has now switched all of the metal it used on this leg - on all JFK-MIA nonstops - to 757s instead of the 767s with international-style F & J seating.)***767 and 772 are back. Flight 200 is a 772**
MIA-PTY on AA 4434
12:33pm - 2:48pm
(Note: Even more distressingly, AA switched from using a 737 on this leg to an RJ, presumably because summer is off-peak season in Central America. The 6:05pm flight still uses a 737 if a full-size aircraft is a must.)
AA: LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY RT $702 in A/J 18.9K EQMs
Jan 25, 2016, 7:32 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 333
I got $609 LAX-MIA-PTY-DFW-LAX at 4:38 p.m. PST. I tried talking a friend into going with me and she said she didn't want to go. Now she wants to go and I'm having a hard time finding anything below $772.
Jan 25, 2016, 7:36 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: LHR, DFW, J Cabins WorldWide
Programs: AA EXP, UA GS, FB Gold, AS MVPG, MR Titanium, VS Gold
Posts: 954
Oh I was going LAX-JFK-MIA and return... 772 retrofit JFK-MIA and 767 refit MIA-JFK makes the extra worth it to me... just would have prefered it for the 690 I originally found it for.
Jan 25, 2016, 8:40 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Where is everyone staying on these?
Avis gives me the option for a $20 car rental for a 700 arival and 5am return the next morning. I could use points to get a free hotel. I don't even know if I'm allowed to drive in Panama? lol
Avis gives me the option for a $20 car rental for a 700 arival and 5am return the next morning. I could use points to get a free hotel. I don't even know if I'm allowed to drive in Panama? lol
Jan 25, 2016, 8:46 pm
#20
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 612
Just be aware of the high insurance prices on rental cars. While the rate is low insurance can range upwards of $50/day and they will not accept the fact that your cc has insurance coverage linked with it. Knowledge of this due to the fact of going to PTY 4 times last year. Public transport is $1.25 I believe in the city bus and works just fine.
QUOTE=BThumme;26081096]Where is everyone staying on these?
Avis gives me the option for a $20 car rental for a 700 arival and 5am return the next morning. I could use points to get a free hotel. I don't even know if I'm allowed to drive in Panama? lol[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=BThumme;26081096]Where is everyone staying on these?
Avis gives me the option for a $20 car rental for a 700 arival and 5am return the next morning. I could use points to get a free hotel. I don't even know if I'm allowed to drive in Panama? lol[/QUOTE]
Jan 25, 2016, 8:53 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Just be aware of the high insurance prices on rental cars. While the rate is low insurance can range upwards of $50/day and they will not accept the fact that your cc has insurance coverage linked with it. Knowledge of this due to the fact of going to PTY 4 times last year. Public transport is $1.25 I believe in the city bus and works just fine.
QUOTE=BThumme;26081096]Where is everyone staying on these?
Avis gives me the option for a $20 car rental for a 700 arival and 5am return the next morning. I could use points to get a free hotel. I don't even know if I'm allowed to drive in Panama? lol
QUOTE=BThumme;26081096]Where is everyone staying on these?
Avis gives me the option for a $20 car rental for a 700 arival and 5am return the next morning. I could use points to get a free hotel. I don't even know if I'm allowed to drive in Panama? lol
From what I've read online, a taxi costs $30+ to get anywhere from the airport each way. What would be the better way? There's a crowne plaza right nearby, that I believe has a free shuttle, but it's also in walking distance.
The downtown hotels are cheap ($60-70), but if I have to double that for taxi costs, I'm better off just staying nearby.
I would only need a rental car for ~10 hours, so if it's only an extra $20 or so, that's not that big of a deal.
Jan 25, 2016, 9:19 pm
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 5
Was able to put this one on hold for $622 about 3 hours ago, before prices went up.
AA 10 LAX March 5, 2016 09:30 PM JFK March 6, 2016 05:44 AM Business
AA 942 JFK March 6, 2016 11:20 AM MIA March 6, 2016 02:26 PM First
AA 959 MIA March 6, 2016 06:15 PM PTY March 6, 2016 09:16 PM Business
AA 960 PTY March 7, 2016 07:00 AM MIA March 7, 2016 10:03 AM Business
AA 64 MIA March 7, 2016 12:35 PM JFK March 7, 2016 03:27 PM First
AA 21 JFK March 7, 2016 06:30 PM LAX March 7, 2016 09:59 PM Business
AA 10 LAX March 5, 2016 09:30 PM JFK March 6, 2016 05:44 AM Business
AA 942 JFK March 6, 2016 11:20 AM MIA March 6, 2016 02:26 PM First
AA 959 MIA March 6, 2016 06:15 PM PTY March 6, 2016 09:16 PM Business
AA 960 PTY March 7, 2016 07:00 AM MIA March 7, 2016 10:03 AM Business
AA 64 MIA March 7, 2016 12:35 PM JFK March 7, 2016 03:27 PM First
AA 21 JFK March 7, 2016 06:30 PM LAX March 7, 2016 09:59 PM Business
Jan 25, 2016, 9:50 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
This was a good deal, no amazing deal, thanks OP for posting! I never do mileage runs as I dont need to but I have never been to PTY and since all the LAX-JFK flights had A availability I figured what they hell I'll spend a short weekend in PTY and check it out. Anyone have thoughts on a good hotel, prefer nice > cheap.
thanks
thanks
Jan 25, 2016, 11:08 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 1,204
http://www.vox.com/2016/1/20/1079556...-birth-defects
Jan 26, 2016, 5:35 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
Taxis
From what I've read online, a taxi costs $30+ to get anywhere from the airport each way. What would be the better way? There's a crowne plaza right nearby, that I believe has a free shuttle, but it's also in walking distance.
The downtown hotels are cheap ($60-70), but if I have to double that for taxi costs, I'm better off just staying nearby.
I would only need a rental car for ~10 hours, so if it's only an extra $20 or so, that's not that big of a deal.[/QUOTE]
I did this trip late last year and learned that if you get a taxi outside of the major areas i.e. Grab it on the street it's MUCH cheaper. I took one from the airport and I think was $30 but I spent two nights and went hiking near a waterfall the full day I had there. If you take the bus from the airport you can get more central and go from there, everyone is so very helpful and nice.
The downtown hotels are cheap ($60-70), but if I have to double that for taxi costs, I'm better off just staying nearby.
I would only need a rental car for ~10 hours, so if it's only an extra $20 or so, that's not that big of a deal.[/QUOTE]
I did this trip late last year and learned that if you get a taxi outside of the major areas i.e. Grab it on the street it's MUCH cheaper. I took one from the airport and I think was $30 but I spent two nights and went hiking near a waterfall the full day I had there. If you take the bus from the airport you can get more central and go from there, everyone is so very helpful and nice.
Jan 26, 2016, 7:29 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SNA
Posts: 67
This was a good deal, no amazing deal, thanks OP for posting! I never do mileage runs as I dont need to but I have never been to PTY and since all the LAX-JFK flights had A availability I figured what they hell I'll spend a short weekend in PTY and check it out. Anyone have thoughts on a good hotel, prefer nice > cheap.
thanks
thanks
http://www.otherhand.org/home-page/m...december-2015/
I found the Grace Panama hotel to be really amazing. As has been mentioned, the cab ride in is about $30, but if you Google "PTY taxi trick" you'll find instructions on how to snag a taxi at the airport for cheaper. It's true you can take a bus to/from the airport to downtwon for only $1.50, but to ride the bus you need a preloaded smart card, and they don't sell them at the airport. The buses don't take cash.
Think REAL carefully about renting a car for travel in Panama City. I was initially planning on doing so, then changed my mind at the last minute. I'm so glad I did once I saw how bad it was during peak periods. I've haven't been everywhere in the world (mostly Europe), but Panama City's traffic is the worse I've seen so far.
Jan 26, 2016, 7:44 am
#27
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BGO
Programs: SK Diamond, QR Platinum, AA Platinum, BA Silver, IHG Gold Ambassador
Posts: 297
A shame this one disappeared before I was able to pull the trigger. As a data point I was able to find ex-SFO for about $120 extra.
Let's hope this one re-appears, or even better, the SJO-fare
Thanks to OP for posting.
Let's hope this one re-appears, or even better, the SJO-fare
Thanks to OP for posting.
Jan 26, 2016, 9:37 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Jan 26, 2016, 10:18 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hyatt Glb, MR Plat
Posts: 2,577
This was a good deal, no amazing deal, thanks OP for posting! I never do mileage runs as I dont need to but I have never been to PTY and since all the LAX-JFK flights had A availability I figured what they hell I'll spend a short weekend in PTY and check it out. Anyone have thoughts on a good hotel, prefer nice > cheap.
thanks
thanks
Jan 26, 2016, 10:34 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 118