So I'm going to come up about $75 EQD short of my target so looking at ways of getting this. Segments are not a concern.

Right now the best option for me seems to be a same day turn nested ticket while I'm on vacation for two weeks. I'd pretty much be back to my vacation by noon. This would be on a Basic Economy fare (I only need $75 EQD after all). If I'm interpreting the the AA site correctly, I would be credited full EQD (as I would on any other fare) but 0.5 EQM and EQS. Is my understanding correct?

The other option I have is from my home airport on a Horizon Air flight. Again, if I understand correctly, I would get the full compliment of EQD/EQS/EQM provided I buy it from AA under an AA flight number. Is that correct?

Finally, for those familiar with PHX. What quick same day turns can be done easily and cheaply out of PHX? LAX is the one, I'm referencing above.

FLG probably fits the bill too. Also consider a one way revenue and the other way award if you meet the EQD with a one way. You can get one of the web saver awards pretty cheap.

Good suggestions, some I hadn't thought of. LAX is still looking like the winner. One way in basic doesn't net me the $75 in most cases and full econ is the same as round trip basic without having to give up miles.

You might also consider PHX-LGB-PHX. The same plane comes into LGB and immediately turns around to head back to PHX. You'll not need to worry about misconnects and there's no taxiing delay or anything else of that nature at a small airport such as LGB.

[MENTION=118082]OskiBear[/MENTION], another good suggestion. Problem is the flight time. What keeps me going back the LAX flight is the price (cheapest so far) and schedule. The flight i'm looking at is same flight number there and back so I assume it's the same aircraft but with LAX could have those other delays you mention.

Remember, LAS is close to the strip, you could make it a day trip if your vacation instead of an out and back by noon mileage run! Or maybe catch a Sunday matinee show?

I'd play around with Google flights. Without knowing your dates, it does look like LAX and LAS are the best for random dates I checked. Generally routes where there is come competition will have the best fares. Perhaps DEN would be decent too.

In addition to FLG, TUS, and ABQ as mentioned above, I'd also look at ELP and GJT. All of these will be turning the inbound aircraft for the departure so there's 0% chance of a missed connection. I'm not sure that would necessarily be the case with LAX or LAS.

Among the smaller destinations there are some good opportunities to do more than sit in the airport if you do schedule a longer connection.

Who doesn't like a nice long sit in an overcrowded AC these days?

If total cost is of primary importance you could also book a one-way flight to TUS or FLG and take FlixBus or the Arizona Shuttle back. Depending on schedules, there's likely not that much time difference between this option and flying to LAX or a similarly distant destination.

Never a crowd at the GJT or ELP AC.

1) IMO it is way too early in the year to even consider an EQD run for an amount so small. Who knows what might come up, or what else might be cancelled?

2) Rather than strain yourself looking for an out-and-back that fits your schedule, instead consider up-faring a current itinerary to a slightly higher coach fare bucket. This is usually an easy way to add $75-100 to a coach fare without wasting a day, especially if you aren't in need of the segments.

Unless they want the plane for something else. I used to fly SJC-LAX-SNA, for the extra segment and miles for $5 more in airfare, because I "knew" the plane to LAX would take me to SNA, until one day when they needed the plane for another flight and put the 5 passengers to SNA in a van

Fairly low likelihood of this happening at LGB given the only AA flights are to/from PHX. I can see them repurposing an aircraft at LAX for a multitude of options, but not at LGB