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Thread: Booking strategy for a Europe trip. AA vs. BA vs. Iberia
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Old Oct 22, 2022 | 5:43 am
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kimbray
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Booking strategy for a Europe trip. AA vs. BA vs. Iberia
Trying to get business for as many tickets in as many directions as possible with the least amount of miles and dollars.

I am wondering what the latest strategy is for booking American vs. British Airways vs Iberia. I have two ONE way award legs; DEN - LHR - ZRH (5/25/23) flight and a BCN - LHR - DEN (6/14/23; got last two business award tickets on BA; 1) outbound via AA with 40K miles and 208.8 in taxes for Premium Economy and 2) return via BA with 82,500 miles and 343.45 in fees. Thought each was pretty good utilization of miles and $$.

I am looking to get a paid ticket (maybe not based on feedback) for me. If I do a paid ticket, should I do via AA or BA or IB?
  1. For AA, what are the pros/cons? Do I have more flexibility if I cancel/credit compared to BA (I beleive I do)? BA has moved to pre-pandemic apporach to changes. AA, I could get credit toward new flight even if on BA metal, correct? So was thinking, book PE seat now and monitor, but upgrade via AA for BA flights requires specific class of ticket and NOT worth it to upgrade, better to just buy the ticket.
  2. For BA, what would be benefits outside using Chase card for 10% off ticket, but I would lose flexibility I beleive? If I do not buy a flexible ticket, I would not be able to cancel for credit/change without fees.
  3. For Iberia, I have not looked at pros/cons, but since coming back from Barcelona, (may switch to Lisbon) wondering what creative things I could do?
I may also look to scrape entire thing with BA thru LONDON as used miles for current two tickets and switch to AA metal from DEN-PHL-ZHR and BCN(or Lisbon)-PHL-DEN. Thoughts on this as well as I would go Flagship Business most likely vs BA Premium Economy and Business (see award tickets already booked above).

Thoughts on a solid strategy? Have flexibility in HOW to get there an back (Key cities ZHR, BCN or LIS) as well but want to be on OneWorld due to status and other trips...

Thank you in advance.
Last edited by kimbray; Oct 23, 2022 at 9:57 am Reason: Adding
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