Slight edits...:
Originally Posted by
arollins
You can not use the 500-miles to upgrade Int'l flights. It clearly says so on AA, however, you can use the 500-miles on your connection SEA-AA hub to LHR.
As for MCE, yes, they do open up at T24, however, dont be surprised if they are full, depending on HUB, it might be lots of elites that have already booked and are waiting on upgrades.
Here are a few things to consider, and this is just my opinion.
JFK, it will be a short flight, about 7hrs or so, with very minimal chance of sleep. Plane will be a 77W, with a 3 4 3 seating UGH, unless it swaps and you get an older 777
As of now only one out of four daily JFK flights is operated by the 77W. The rest are operated (mostly) by the 45J version of the 772 (the "older" 772s with angled J seats no longer operate any flights to LHR), which has 3-3-3 in the forward cabin of Y (forward of door 3) and 3-4-3 in the rear cabin. The non-MCE seats in the 3-3-3 cabin are marked as preferred, and GLDs should be able to select them free of charge. If OP does end up on this plane, IMHO it won't nearly be as bad non-MCE Y on the 77W or the 37J 772, which is 3-4-3 across all rows.
Originally Posted by
arollins
CLT or PHL will be about 7.5-8hr, it will be a 330 plane with 2 4 2 seating in main cabin, best to get something on the 2 side, and if lucky, you might have an empty seat next to you. These planes seats have their own IFE on the back of the headrest and are fairly comfortable in my opinion.
ORD, its about 8hrs flight, it is a mixed bag of planes, I would prefer a 767, which has a 2 3 2 seating in main cabin. No individual IFE
MIA/DFW about 8.5-9hrs on 77W, plane like JFK
LAX, about 11hr, on a 77W, or older 777
DFW has some 772s mixed in here and there--not sure if it's the 37J version with 3-4-3 throughout Y or the 45J with a section of 3-3-3 Y. Same for LAX--one of the two daily flights is a 77W and the other is a 772.
Originally Posted by
arollins
I myself have done all, except MIA and LAX on AA metal. With all things considered, being that you are GLD, so your chances of MCE at T24 will be ???, I would prefer either CLT/PHL where you can get a seat with your IFE on the 2 side, have a decent chance of sleep, maybe an empty seat next to you and minimal chances of aircraft swap.
Enjoy.
OP, I would also consider what the domestic equipment would be, especially if you're going halfway across the country to connect (basically everywhere except LAX). As much bad press as the LUS 321s to PHL and CLT get, they're a decent ride in the back, and the TATL 330s from those hubs are my second favorite Y configuration to the 763s.
My top three combos would be:
1. 738 to ORD and 763 to LHR (avoid the 788 at all costs--worse than 3-4-3 Y on the 772/77W!)
2. 321 to PHL/CLT and 330 to LHR
3. 319/E75 to LAX and 45J 772 with 3-3-3 Y (not 37J 772 or 77W with 3-4-3 Y!) to LHR