In December, I’m flying ATL-DXB, with a routing of ATL-PHL-DOH-DXB-DOH-DFW-ATL, with all of the segments on AA except DOH-DXB-DOH-DFW on QR. This routing results in a substantial savings in J versus alternative routings, a total cost of about US$4,200. Flying BA through LHR in J would be substantially more expensive, but BA’s F fares are often significantly less expensive than their J fares; I could fly ATL-ORD-LHR-DXB-LHR-ATL in BA F for about US$6,800, in other words about US$1,600 to fly in BA F compared to AA and QR J.

Notwithstanding that I find the BA F fare to be attractive, I’m inclined to stick with my J fare on AA and QR, and am posting this to get other’s opinions. I get that this is somewhat of a silly question in that the value of US$1,600 can differ significantly among us, but I’m asking nonetheless. I’ll add that to me none of the benefits of flying F vs. J matters to me on the ground — principally the CCR (I’ve been many times and, while I enjoy it, I have yet to figure out what the big deal is) — but maybe I’m missing something.

What do you all think?