Originally Posted by
JJeffrey
This doesn't look right.
AAnytime awards have never been valid on partner metal and cannot include any segments on a carrier other than AA. If true, then this hypothetical 'partner AAnytime' to Europe would cost 14k while the stand alone AA only AAnytime would cost 18k, which makes no sense at all, regardless of taxes/fees.
The partner awards include sAAver space (just like every other partner award), the correct calculation should be a 14k partner award compared to a 7.2k AA sAAver to Europe + 6k partner award intra-Europe.
If you're flying AA metal to Europe then the partner awards rarely if ever make sense, as you're essentially spending almost double the points to add intra Europe flight(s) on BA or IB which can be purchased for $200-300 all day long (in coach, granted).
The BE partner awards have always seemed like a total ripoff based on the points they require, hence the very limited discussion and datapoints on here.
This is correct.
I only use Anytime awards, since PlanAhead doesn't have enough availability.
An Anytime BX63 Business award is 18000 points for North America to Europe. It only works on AA metal. Books into J.
Taxes and Fees come out to under $300 to LHR because of the high LHR to USA tax. It can be under $100 for somewhere like USA to Madrid. No high YR fuel surcharge
A Partner BP03 Business award is 14000 points for North America to Europe. It works on AA, BA and IB. Requires at least one BA or IB segment. Books into J on AA (so essentially an Anytime) and R on partner intra-euro.
There is a YR fuel surcharge, even if flying on AA metal over the Atlantic. So taxes and fees are ~$1100-$1300.
A Partner BP40 Business award is 6000 points intra-Euro. It works on BA and IB.
So an Anytime BP63 + BP40 is 18000 + 6000 = 24000 points, with no major YR charge. But two separate PNRs, so need to recheck bags.
A Partner award gives same J availability, and is 14000 points, but with a major YR charge.