Originally Posted by
Rossodio
*edit: it is a 777-300er; can't edit the subject line
When looking to book award travel (multi city to LHR and then to NAP from GSP), I have an opportunity as part of the trip to go on AA20 from DFW to LHR (and reverse on the return flight) which, when booking as a standard itinerary (not using award miles) shows the flight as a Flagship First Class ticket when booking in the first class cabin. When booked using award travel, it is not showing on aa.com as being Flagship (though still showing as First Class on the same flight in this itinerary). Is this just a bug with the booking system? Would I still get Flagship perks, like Flagship check in, flagship dining in DFW, the first class/flagship equivalent lounge at LHR, and everything else that Flagship nets you, if I booked using award travel? Specifics on differences of what I would get from booking officially Flagship versus award first class booking would be helpful...
For what it is worth, I am EXP with AA (for this first time this year due to spend on co-branded card, I don't fly enough to qualify otherwise) which I know affords some OneWorld status perks on international itineraries. I am basically in this post trying to determine whether it is worth my time or effort to ensure that the booking actually says Flagship on it in the first place when I make it. The booking *will* be made using award miles at the end of the day. As an offshoot to the question I just posted, if it did not end up being a true Flagship First booking, if there is virtually zero other difference in booking the first class product compared with the business class product, I could save a ton of miles by booking the business class product. As context, this is for a 10th anniversary trip with my spouse, so even if the benefits of first over business are somewhat marginal, it may still be worth it to me to plonk down the extra miles on the booking. I would obviously want to be in a seating situation on the plane where I can interact with my spouse, ideally be next to and/or face them when seated. The AA20 flight I would take at least in one direction would be an overnight flight. Wondering about differences between first and business on the flight.
Yes, if you're in F on the 77W on a longhaul flight like DFW-LHR then it's considered "Flagship" regardless of what aa.com displays or how you book it (miles vs. paid fare), etc.
AA.com is horribly inconsistent with its "Flagship" marketing, sometimes "Flagship" is displayed and sometimes it's not depending on how you search or what page you're looking at, your same question pops up on here on a weekly basis.
As to the First vs. Business question, how much is a "ton of miles" that you'd be saving by booking business? AA's business on the 77W is it's best seat and the onboard service and food/drink will be largely the same. The biggest differentiator (IMO) is access to Flagship Dining but even that isn't
that great or something I'd spend thousands of miles or dollars to get. The regular Flagship Lounge that you'd have access to in business is perfectly nice for a preflight snack and a few drinks.