Running into out of whack domestic mileage pricing on AA (J/F)
Aug 22, 2022, 6:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
Running into out of whack domestic mileage pricing on AA (J/F)
I'm trying to book a flight from NYC to PHX in First class. American seems to be only offering 75K miles, no matter what time or date. However, the standard AA pricing for JFK to LAX/SFO for Business Class seems to be 62.5K miles (including availability in JetBlue Mint). I see much lower at certain times date. I would argue J on the A321 or JetBlue on a transcon should be priced more (in general) than a standard F seat on a shorter flight. Alaska redemptions looks even better at 25K miles.
Based on other pricing it seems to me that these PHX flights should cost 62.5K at most, maybe 50K unless they are very sold out. What gives here?
Based on other pricing it seems to me that these PHX flights should cost 62.5K at most, maybe 50K unless they are very sold out. What gives here?
Aug 22, 2022, 6:32 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
I'm trying to book a flight from NYC to PHX in First class. American seems to be only offering 75K miles, no matter what time or date. However, the standard AA pricing for JFK to LAX/SFO for Business Class seems to be 62.5K miles (including availability in JetBlue Mint). I see much lower at certain times date. I would argue J on the A321 or JetBlue on a transcon should be priced more (in general) than a standard F seat on a shorter flight. Alaska redemptions looks even better at 25K miles.
Based on other pricing it seems to me that these PHX flights should cost 62.5K at most, maybe 50K unless they are very sold out. What gives here?
Based on other pricing it seems to me that these PHX flights should cost 62.5K at most, maybe 50K unless they are very sold out. What gives here?
Aug 22, 2022, 6:50 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
Virtually all of AA's domestic award availability is either 'web special' which is dynamically priced or AAnytime. It can change from day to day and vary based on the market, route, day, time, etc. 75k for NYC-PHX sounds like AAnytime space. You're definitely right that JFK-LAX in business should price higher than JFK-PHX in domestic first, however airline pricing is rarely logical.
After some inspection, it seems like there is a lot more variability in pricing a couple weeks out or even a week out (I was looking at flights early October), May be best to wait I guess
Aug 22, 2022, 6:55 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,157
I'm trying to book a flight from NYC to PHX in First class. American seems to be only offering 75K miles, no matter what time or date. However, the standard AA pricing for JFK to LAX/SFO for Business Class seems to be 62.5K miles (including availability in JetBlue Mint). I see much lower at certain times date. I would argue J on the A321 or JetBlue on a transcon should be priced more (in general) than a standard F seat on a shorter flight. Alaska redemptions looks even better at 25K miles.
Based on other pricing it seems to me that these PHX flights should cost 62.5K at most, maybe 50K unless they are very sold out. What gives here?
Based on other pricing it seems to me that these PHX flights should cost 62.5K at most, maybe 50K unless they are very sold out. What gives here?
Not sure what your dates are, but I was recently looking at BOS / NYC to PHX and prices were in the low 30s for F.
The odd tcon flights are sometimes in the 40-50k range for J.
Aug 22, 2022, 10:00 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
There's no real need to wait if you see a flight you would actually buy. When buying with miles, cancelling is very easy and the miles come back automatically and quickly.
Aug 23, 2022, 1:39 am
#7
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,179
Blimey! I would have thought that paying money would work out as "cheaper". At least you do not have the outrageous taxes that we pay which are the equivalent of an economy ticket.
Aug 23, 2022, 1:48 am
#8
formerly rt23456p
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,210