Originally Posted by chris1979

just to be clear, the 321 that is appearing on the MIA/LAX is not their new flagship transcon service. it should be a normal 2 flass (3 class if you include MCE) service so you will be able to book into F at usual F prices (i.e. it's not a plane to avoid for TP running reasons).

SJU, STT, CUN (which requires clearing of immigration as it's abroad whilst the others are US territories), etc often are cheap 'destinations' or 'starting points'. the TPs earned from MIA are minimal (40 in J and given they are international flights, they are J rather than F even though it's the same seat). a LAX - MIA - STT flight will be much much cheaper than a LAX - MIA flight. So it's not about going south or west or east but about the fact that a routing to or from these places often gives you a great deal (in the region or even below £1 per TP).

if you did the routing you describe and are buying a J ticket, you'll be in business class from JFK to LAX on their 321 Flagship Transcon thus earning 140 TPs rather than 210 if you were in F (or took a flight from BOS, PHL, MIA etc to LAX (needs to be over 2,000)). that's still a popular route though as J on the 321Transcon is a good product (I've only done F on it but reviews are good).

finally, in case you arent aware, the tickets we talk about on here that involve LCY - JFK - LAX - HNL are ex EU tickets, i.e. starting in AMS, DUB or somewhere else in the EU to get a good price.

I would imagine a ticket LCY - HNL starting in LCY will be very expensive....

hope that makes sense.