East Coast to SFO - A330 or 321T?
Nov 14, 2018, 10:30 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC LAX RDU
Programs: US-Plt;Concierge key; American AAirpass; Delta Silver;Starwood - Platinum; Amex Cent
Posts: 710
I agree that from a pure product comparison, non-stop Mint beats connecting Flagship F. Assuming that BOS is just as convenient as the other options, Mint is definitely a good option.
As to your second point, though: many people who fly paid F sometimes also fly discount economy. It can be useful to gain status from your premium flying to make your cheap flying as pleasant a possible (or just to save money so you don't always have to pay premium fares to get treated decently).
As to your second point, though: many people who fly paid F sometimes also fly discount economy. It can be useful to gain status from your premium flying to make your cheap flying as pleasant a possible (or just to save money so you don't always have to pay premium fares to get treated decently).
Nov 14, 2018, 11:02 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: Bonvoy Amb; AA EXP
Posts: 1,136
So does UA, and they also have lay flat seats.
Nov 14, 2018, 11:18 am
#34
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO, CLT
Programs: AA Bonsai EXP (2.9 MM), AS MVPG
Posts: 1,395
A few years back, I was happy to chase AA status because upgrades and other perks were plentiful and the F/Y price ratio was greater than today. IMHO, the current model at AA (and all other carriers for that matter) promotes free agency - it's cheaper and definitely faster to fly non-stop and in paid F (if/when the latter is important) than to chase 100k on AA +$15k. $15k buys a lot of paid F and no need to hang around ORD or DFW on Wx and Mx delays and no need to go out of my way just to enjoy AA's surly service.
Nov 14, 2018, 11:54 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
Nov 14, 2018, 3:32 pm
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,829
I've done the United PS service, and I was rather quite dissapointed in it. Personally I have no problem connecting. and likely, it will be connect via another airline, or even an overnight. I am turning lemons into lemonade this year, the one good outcome of all that has happened was that I was able to set aside some omney to spend the last three months paid first chasing status. Next year (outside of one big trip) it is back to y fares. As I am leisure, getting upgrades is a bit easier for me.
Nov 14, 2018, 10:05 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
I've done the United PS service, and I was rather quite dissapointed in it. Personally I have no problem connecting. and likely, it will be connect via another airline, or even an overnight. I am turning lemons into lemonade this year, the one good outcome of all that has happened was that I was able to set aside some omney to spend the last three months paid first chasing status. Next year (outside of one big trip) it is back to y fares. As I am leisure, getting upgrades is a bit easier for me.
Nov 15, 2018, 1:53 pm
#38
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: AA-EXP, Flying Blue-Silver
Posts: 727
This isn't even a remotely close question. Clearly, take the A321T out of JFK. From the Flagship Check-In, to the First Class Dining (don't forget the Krug!), to the far, far superior onboard soft product (I put the hard product at close to coin toss as between the A321T in F and the A332 in domestic F), the decision really makes itself. Having flown both -- aside from the seat/widebody factor, the service on the A332 in domestic F is identical to any other non- A321T/premium transcon route; the A321T is a true world class domestic first class product IMHO.
Nov 15, 2018, 2:17 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
This isn't even a remotely close question. Clearly, take the A321T out of JFK. From the Flagship Check-In, to the First Class Dining (don't forget the Krug!), to the far, far superior onboard soft product (I put the hard product at close to coin toss as between the A321T in F and the A332 in domestic F), the decision really makes itself. Having flown both -- aside from the seat/widebody factor, the service on the A332 in domestic F is identical to any other non- A321T/premium transcon route; the A321T is a true world class domestic first class product IMHO.
He said up thread he'd have at most an hour for flagship lounge.
I still say 321T over the 330, though, even though the two points you mention are n/a. An hour in the lounge is better than nothing, and there's no equivalent in PHL. If he's early, he might get to enjoy a relaxing meal at the lounge. If he doesn't, he still has a nice ride to Cali
Nov 15, 2018, 3:12 pm
#40
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Nov 15, 2018, 6:16 pm
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,829
So explain to me this flagship check-in. I am Platinum, now, I have TSA pre-check. In the morning I download my boarding pass on the app. A little before my flight (usually too little in my case) I walk up to the pre-check line, wait maybe to people to ahead of me and give the agent my license and hold my phone over the scanner. I then walk to the belt, put my bag and suitcase on it, walk through the scanner and pick my stuff up on the other side.
I think it is great for people who don't fly often. But if you are already a frequent customer, what does it add value-wise? Or am I just being a DYKWIA?
I think it is great for people who don't fly often. But if you are already a frequent customer, what does it add value-wise? Or am I just being a DYKWIA?
Nov 15, 2018, 8:19 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
So explain to me this flagship check-in. I am Platinum, now, I have TSA pre-check. In the morning I download my boarding pass on the app. A little before my flight (usually too little in my case) I walk up to the pre-check line, wait maybe to people to ahead of me and give the agent my license and hold my phone over the scanner. I then walk to the belt, put my bag and suitcase on it, walk through the scanner and pick my stuff up on the other side.
I think it is great for people who don't fly often. But if you are already a frequent customer, what does it add value-wise? Or am I just being a DYKWIA?
I think it is great for people who don't fly often. But if you are already a frequent customer, what does it add value-wise? Or am I just being a DYKWIA?
But if you're just connecting through JFK then it is irrelevant.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/plan-travel/...t-check-in.jsp
Nov 15, 2018, 8:43 pm
#43
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SFO or OAK
Programs: AA 1MM GLD, Hertz #1 Gold, bunch of other programs w/no status
Posts: 1,454
However, IMO, the A321T is by far the best domestic aircraft of any carrier in all 3 travel classes. It has so few people on it which makes everything from overhead to boarding so quick and easy. Coach is so small that service is noticeably better and quicker. ... While I find a lot of what AA does super crAApy, the A321T is one place where AA vastly outshines the competition.
Nov 16, 2018, 2:41 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 1,204
This sounds dreadful. Why voluntarily subject yourself to another security search during a one hour layover?
Nov 16, 2018, 3:22 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Last time I did it, TSA Precheck + FL Check in at JFK took me about seven minutes. YMMV but it's at least an experience if they always wanted to know what it was like.