Originally Posted by
rodavici
From my point of view, I'd rather spend the money on a Y-UP transcon AA since this earns a load of tier-points. When I need to go to SFO, I use the IAD-LAX-SFO route (3x daily) and this for about $2K will get you 480 TPs!
This also gets you into the Flagshit lounge at LAX (at least I assume it's not just being Gold that gets that). Think of Galleries but crappy - however for AA, there's help ya self booze.
You are correct, if you accumulate status on BA then this is a much, much better way to fly transcon. If # of miles flown matters, you could even do IAD-MIA-SFO if the schedule worked.
However, I maintain status on AA, and would be subing in my AA # at the last minute if I took my proposed flight. As it stands, I buy a coach ticket (usually $3-400) and upgrade with 30k AA miles + $150 co-pay. My only source of BA miles is Amex points converted to such. I'd pay the extra $150-200 to save some AA miles and fly F on LAX-JFK in a heartbeat, given AA's elite qualifying structure vs. BA's.
As to the Flagship lounge, it is your BA gold status that gets you this benefit. Unless you are connecting to/from an int'l oneworld flight in F, the only way to access the FL on a domestic itinerary is by booking a full-fare (revenue) or award ticket in first class on a 3-class plane.