America West flights do NOT earn tier points. Only flights with OneWorld partners earn tier points.
"A" class fares on AA have fare codes like that start with "Y" and have "UP" somewhere in the text, but they book direct into "A" class.
If you search on any of the internet web sites (or AA itself), and search for First Class without restrictions, they'll come up if they are available.
But they're not available in every market. On the east coast, BWI has a fair amount of them.
An example, BWI-MSY ... goes for around $600, requires a connection, can net 180 tier points.