Originally Posted by anabolism
I've got 9 VIPs that will expire Feb 07. I had been told by an AAgent that I only had to book a trip by then, but I've since learned here that I need to fly by then.
My partner and I have limited vacation days left, but I'd like to make good use of those VIPs. So, two round-trips each will use 8, and I can use the last one for some domestic trip (maybe Montreal to LAX?)
We're already going to Australia and Japan in June, and Australia in November (Circle Pacifics for me to requalify as EXP, and mileage awards for my partner), which is why we're low on vacation days. No AA flights on either trip (and VIPs can't be used to upgrade award travel anyway).
So what to do with the VIPs? Anyone know the least expensive route that allows upgrading to suites (starting in SAN)? Maybe an upgradeable business class through fare to somewhere in Europe, so we can go LAX-LHR on the flagship suites? That's a nice long trip, so there's time to enjoy the suites.
Maybe LAX-HNL on a 2-class 767 for the other trip? Nowhere near as nice as the suites, but Hawaii is an easy place to spend a long weekend, and sometimes there are good fares.
A couple of things:
1) Even if you use the eVIPS to try and upgrade to suites on a 777 (say LAX-LHR) you would need to purchase a discounted (but not heavily discounted) business fare (so D would probably be the chepeast, becuase you cannot upgrade on I fares). This will run close to $6000 per ticket (I think, but may be incorrect). How much would it suck too if you bought the expensive tickets, upgraded, and then it got switched to coffins! Eeek!
2) Why waste them on a LAX-HNL when you can get comp upgrades as EXP?
3) The new lie-flat seats are scheduled to begin being installed on the 767s this year and those should be quite nice. The 777s will be afterwards. Thus you may want to look at the DUB fares (they get quite cheap from the west coast (LAX from $440 or so + taxes) after November 1 and if the new seats are installed then you will be golden! A nice long weekend in DUB (maybe even over Veteran's day) would surely eat up some of that.
4) Also consider trading some of the eVIPS in CC for miles or something else. The general asking price is about 30K miles for EVIP (more further way from expiration of course), which if you traded 8 of them could get you a cool 240K, enough for two F tickets on Europe.