Originally Posted by
myamex
I am trying to book ORD-NRT. I selected AA flights, and it shows two tickets for 120000 Avios + $ 90.
After I click continue, it jumps to 120000 Avios + $ 1,327.10
I remember I used to fly JFK-NRT for 50000 avios + $60 tax
Interesting. I just searched LAX-NRT and discovered the same phenomenon.
On JL, it comes to 25k+ $314, whereas on AA the initial quote is 25k+ $2, BUT $2 miraculously transforms to $314 after moving to the next screen.
I had heard this change was in the works, but thought it not possible in the absence of AA restructuring its fares.
CX's fees are modest by comparison. However, the only NA route that is shorter than 6500 miles is YVR-HKG. The others all cost a whopping 70k BA points in business class.
The short of it is that AA miles are for more useful than BA miles on pretty much every conceivable NA-Asia itinerary at present, even when accounting for close-in fees.