Originally Posted by number_6
The AY service HEL-DXB is one of their charter type specials, operating one class sub-Y only (28 inch pitch if I recall correctly, on a 757 -- really hellish). These planes are normally used for 3 hour flights to Spain; do you really want to use you AONEx sectors for this? The rules haven't been changed to exclude them, so you could do LHR-CAI or LHR-DXB but not both, and then as many HEL-DXB as you wish. Of course you get Y status credit and mileage bonus, there is no allowance for voluntary downgrades.
In a similar vein, I noticed that AY operates non-stop HEL-MIA twice a week during the winter season. It is an MD-11, but only economy fare codes are displayed on AMEX itn web site. Could this be a 2 class plane sold as 1 class, with those in full Y or (D/A) getting the biz class seats? If booked into Y class when on a biz/fc fare, it is the same q-points for those in AA FFP, plus just over 5,000 miles for those in the QF FFP. Not the best use of a long-haul segment, but may be worthwhile for the miles and an East coast arrival city. Any thoughts???