This is normal for AA redemptions on BA. If you search, there are lots of threads about this. It has been this way with BA for many years now. The exorbitant fees are unique to BA, but not everyone is against at least having the option available.

That said, most people here wouldn't consider Norwegian's premium seat to come anywhere close to a true lie-flat product. (I wouldn't fly BA's J either in most cases, because it's so narrow, but still; Norwegian is just an extra-reclining recliner like the old Virgin America product).

In any event, AA flies true lie-flat business class seats into CDG from MIA, DFW, CLT, PHL, JFK, and ORD. You can get to all those cities nonstop from SFO, including various lie-flat options on those, too. Of course, odds of finding a "saver" redemption SFO-XXX-CDG on your preferred dates are nearly zero, but you should still set ExpertFlyer alerts (for each TATL leg individually and for the 2-segment itineraries) in case it pops up -- total of 12 alerts. If availability does pop up, you may be able to redeem 57,500 miles and $5.60-11.20 for an excellent all-AA itinerary. It just takes some work and luck.

What do you mean? To my knowledge, you earn points on all Norwegian flights.

Point accrual: https://en.norwegianreward.com/earn-...avel/norwegian
Status benefits: https://en.norwegianreward.com/about-us/about-rewards

I think they meant they didn't have to redeem miles. Same price with no miles redeemed.

Did you look at possible LAX-CDG availability using AA miles on TN / Air Tahiti Nui?

See

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ssistance.html

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...nnections.html

It's absolutely true that AA saver awards are not as useful as they used to be. For destinations served by AA metal you're welcome to use more miles for an AAnytime award to improve the routing.

Norwegian may actually be in business long enough to fly you to Paris and back. :)

But how many days will the flights take!

When you get results on AA, uncheck the BA box and IF there are any options left you will see a reasonable tax/fees. BA scam charges make any award a joke.

In order to avoid LHR and BA, you need to play around with cities. For instance, we are going to Switzerland in the fall, and couldn't find MileSAAver Business fares there. So, we're going through other European gateway cities where AA has direct flights and enjoying some extra days in other places. Flights and trains inside Europe are very cheap, just find a way to get to the continent and avoid BA at all costs and you'll be fine. When you use the search function when booking a miles ticket to Europe, go Advanced Search, and choose American Airlines only. Search everyday, as cities and flight availability change often.

I used this list of direct AA flights from the Wiki:

AMS - PHL, DFW(s)
ATH - ORD (s), PHL(s)
BCN - CLT(s), JFK, MIA, ORD(s), PHL(s)
BLQ - PHL(s)
BUD - PHL(s)
CDG - CLT (s), DFW, JFK, MIA, ORD (s), PHL
DBV - PHL(s)
DUB - CLT(s), DFW(s), ORD(s), PHL
EDI - PHL(s)
FCO - CLT(s), JFK (s), ORD(s), PHL, DFW(s)
FRA - CLT, DFW
KEF - DFW (s)
LIS - PHL(s)
LHR - CLT, DFW, JFK, LAX, MIA, ORD, PHL, PHX (s), RDU
MAD - CLT(s), DFW, JFK, MIA, PHL
MAN - PHL
MUC - CLT, DFW(s), PHL (ends March 30, 2019)
MXP - JFK, MIA
PRG - PHL(s)
SNN - PHL(s)
TXL - PHL(s)
VCE - PHL(s), ORD(s)
ZRH - PHL

That isn't helpful if you are willing to pay the BA fees for the interEurope segment, but not the TATL

Plat - I was able to get a return for 57.5K miles - CDG-LHR on BA, then AA to LAX and on to SFO. I may try to improve that itinerary using some of the useful advice on this site. Thanks.
[well aware that Norwegian is not in the same class at the front of the plane - but perfectly good enough for me. Their economy seating on 787s is quite competitive.)

Great -- glad to hear you pulled off LHR-LAX on AA for 57.5k -- that's definitely the hard part of that puzzle.

The awards are out there, you just have to shift through a lot of BS, I was even able to find F awards on the LAX-LHR-LAX on AA. I just booked 2 awards on AA PHX-LHR-PHX in J for 57.5K on the AA nonstop. I have learned that you must be open to any day and any time of the year but they are out there.