77W - is First worth 27.5K Miles?
Apr 26, 2019, 1:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
77W - is First worth 27.5K Miles?
Have a relatively short flight JFK-LHR. Booked in Saver J but Saver F space opened up.
Is it worth the upgrade?
Flown 77W J before and was perfectly fine with it. Main benefit for this one is FFD as I have a long layover before this flight, but wondering if the seat and service is much different in F.
Thanks!
Is it worth the upgrade?
Flown 77W J before and was perfectly fine with it. Main benefit for this one is FFD as I have a long layover before this flight, but wondering if the seat and service is much different in F.
Thanks!
Apr 26, 2019, 1:16 pm
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
The suite is a bit more spacious (but not as much as the old 772 Flagship First), and the slightly larger, comfier seat swivels 90 degrees for easier access to work surfaces. You’ll get pajamas in addition to the F amenity kit. Some also believe the second row is too visible to Business Class and doesn’t afford the degree of privacy First should offer.
Some feel the service is not really distinguishable from that in the Business cabin.
Whether that’s worth 27.5 k more is a subjective decision, IMO. If a larger seat or workspace access, Flagship First Dining etc. are worth it to you, or if you have lots of miles and you’re curious, go for it. If you don’t, the 77W J seat is the best J seat AA has.
Some feel the service is not really distinguishable from that in the Business cabin.
Whether that’s worth 27.5 k more is a subjective decision, IMO. If a larger seat or workspace access, Flagship First Dining etc. are worth it to you, or if you have lots of miles and you’re curious, go for it. If you don’t, the 77W J seat is the best J seat AA has.
Apr 26, 2019, 1:26 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,004
Apr 26, 2019, 4:32 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Have a relatively short flight JFK-LHR. Booked in Saver J but Saver F space opened up.
Is it worth the upgrade?
Flown 77W J before and was perfectly fine with it. Main benefit for this one is FFD as I have a long layover before this flight, but wondering if the seat and service is much different in F.
Thanks!
Is it worth the upgrade?
Flown 77W J before and was perfectly fine with it. Main benefit for this one is FFD as I have a long layover before this flight, but wondering if the seat and service is much different in F.
Thanks!
I do find the seats in the 77W F a nice upgrade, but not sure it's worth it for such a short flight. Now DFW/LAX-HKG, absolutely.
Apr 26, 2019, 6:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA MM, AA EXP; OW Emerald, EK silver
Posts: 928
Wouldn't bother and save my miles for something else. I've crossed the pond in J many times and enjoyed a good night's sleep. As for lounge access, the 'basic' flagship lounge offers more than enough. However as I've never had a long layover in JFK can't comment whether the extra amenities (other than food) are worth it.
Apr 26, 2019, 6:16 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: PVD, BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,664
No.
It’s worth an SWU if it would otherwise go unused, but that’s about it. The seat is a weird office chair and the food is no better than J. Access to flagship first dining is nice, but not really a huge deal.
It’s worth an SWU if it would otherwise go unused, but that’s about it. The seat is a weird office chair and the food is no better than J. Access to flagship first dining is nice, but not really a huge deal.
Apr 26, 2019, 7:42 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Save your points! On short puddle jumper flights like this you won't be able to enjoy the many benefits F seats offer. By the time meal service is done, you'll have maybe 4 hours to sleep before it's time to have breakfast, pack everything up, fill out the landing form (if you're not registered traveller), etc. You could forgo meal service I suppose but even then, you're looking at maybe 5 hours of rest. There's a huge difference between Y and J cabins, but the difference between J and F aren't as big.
Here's to hoping you have continued J experiences with your points.
-James
Here's to hoping you have continued J experiences with your points.
-James
Apr 26, 2019, 8:41 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
On a short flight where you're mostly sleeping I can see the argument for not spending the extra points, though on this flight as you point out the FFD does allow you to have far better food, wine and champs on the ground and just sleep the whole flight skipping the in flight meal. Personally I would do the upgrade, I have plenty of miles they are not getting more valuable so why not! I guess it comes down to, do you have a ton of miles and how fast you earn them back. For many 27K miles come quickly and won't be missed, if you don't travel a lot and it will take awhile to earn those miles back then it might not be worth it.
Apr 26, 2019, 11:27 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Have a relatively short flight JFK-LHR. Booked in Saver J but Saver F space opened up.
Is it worth the upgrade?
Flown 77W J before and was perfectly fine with it. Main benefit for this one is FFD as I have a long layover before this flight, but wondering if the seat and service is much different in F.
Thanks!
Is it worth the upgrade?
Flown 77W J before and was perfectly fine with it. Main benefit for this one is FFD as I have a long layover before this flight, but wondering if the seat and service is much different in F.
Thanks!
By all means, do it. 2-3 hours in the serenity of the JFK Flagship First Dining is fantastic when compared to the elbow to elbow experience you sometimes encounter in the Flagship Lounge.
Apr 28, 2019, 7:47 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,346
I was actually looking for info on this very topic this morning, without success. Other than differences in wine offerings, are there really better alcohol selections? E.g., do they have a superior scotch to Glenlivet, or improved bourbon/whiskey selections vs normal J?