Originally Posted by JohnAx
In any case, to be fair one would value the trip at at least $1200, since the 50k miles are worth at least a penny. And the op isn't being deceitful, just hasn't found out that in Europe the airline marketing departments don't have the nerve to call their business class 'first class' as we do here.
Right. I just had my secretary book and upgrade this trip through AA's Plat desk, so I was booked LAX-MAD-AMS-LAX and was then told that my routing was through Heathrow and using BA planes. On the upgrade, I was told that I was upgraded to Business Class on the AA flights, and to the front of the plane on the BA flights (I assume that they are codeshares, but I don't know yet because I haven't seen the tickets). I assumed that the words "to the front" meant first class, which is why I said that I think it was first class on BA. And I have no idea how exactly it was arranged. I just know that it was arranged, and $696 was deducted from my credit card account.
But all that is beside the point, which is when a One World Explorer is worth getting. Clearly it's not a bargain thing. What I am getting here is that it is more valuable when you use airlines other than AA, who have better and more expensive First Class Cabins, and you fly a lot internationally.