I can't find Choice Essential fares anywhere. Why?
 

I change flights a lot so I would really benefit from Choice Essential fares. But they never show up for any flight combination I choose. Is this because they all involve San Francisco as one leg of the trip?

I see a lot of screen shots on blogs showing the fares listed across, but all I see is Choice and then Premium Economy, First/Business. Is it only for certain locations?

I can't find Choice Essential fares anywhere. Why?
 

on AA.com, the US website?

If you see premium economy, then I assume you are looking at an international itinerary (as premium economy has no application on a purely domestic itinerary). Presumably, Choice Essential and Choice Plus do not apply to international itineraries.

This is my experience. When itinerary includes an international destination, even if its pure AA segments (operated AND marketed), the Choice Options do not show up.

If you are seeing PE, it is a BA codeshare most likely. Choice etc. apply to domestic AA metal flights

I guess STT is considered international even though it's US territory? I can't get a Choice Plus or Choice Essential fare for any dates going JFK-STT

Per AA's website, the Choice fare options are available within the US48 only.

And, much to my annoyance, they are not available for open-jaw flights.