Originally Posted by
giansil
True. As I use AAdvantage I do book AA flight numbers operated by BA when I cross the Atlantic so to keep the minimum of 4 mandatory AA flights to keep PLAT. Now, I have seen quite open the availability of F seats to the USA and return not of course always direct but making stops say JFK/SEA/DFW/IAH if you want to head to LAX or SFO. The last time I booked F from DUS/SFO was making a stop in LHR and then with BA 744 F to JFK and AA A321 Flagship F, it was a very nice experience and booked a month before departure.
Well, it is a bit confusing that you started with BA and are now mentioning AA. As you know, on BA, you have to pay awards by segments, so your indirect routings can become quite expensive.
Your example (DUS-LHR-JFK-LAX) in J (DUS-LHR) and F (LHR-JFK-LAX) would not cost 62.5k avios but between 8+62.5+50 = 122.5k avios (off peak) and 9+80+50=139k avios (peak) one way. This is about 40% more than nonstop prices, and while it is still fewer miles than AAF, the difference is very much less as a result (and taxes and charges higher on BA).
Again, I am not saying that to defend AF, I'd never buy a F award with them as it is outrageously priced, but I find the glorification of BA (which is, by now, my main airline) on that front out of line with my experience.