Not necessarily. This one earns 10%. Fare basis codes are S & N.

The challenge is finding cheap fares that don't book into the lowest (G, O, Q) buckets.

Because I can use SWU's on China and clear at booking (especially if I went to PEK). For me if it's a MR I'd rather be in business and fly longer than just get it done cramped in coach. I still needed 11-12K miles, so this is an easy way to do it. Ended up going DEN-CTU for $564 RT via LAX/HKG (you could route through DFW-LAX-HKG-CTU or DFW-HKG-CTU if you needed the miles.

I had 2 SWU's to burn, the LAX-HKG flight had C available and personally don't mind a few hours more in a business class seat (plus I'm making it a mini vacation with longer layovers in the Qantas First Lounge and some Cathay Lounge hopping in HKG / a quick trip to the city or hike near the big Buddha). In flight it's a break for me to watch movies and nap while flight attendants bring me food and drinks, and I'll go see some Panda's/get a massage for the day I'm on the ground.

Not sure how many dollars I'll actually get (end up having to take another work trip anyways that should satisfy it), especially since the flight portion excl tax is only about $420 and there are 2 Cathay flights in O that won't earn anything but take some EQD.

Looking forward to it.

Question for everyone. I see multiple recommendations for flying AS in F to earn EQD, and I found a decent fare, but it shows V class even though it's in F. Would this credit to AA based on the chart for V or P? I'm guessing V since that's the fare class, but want to confirm. Thanks

On the AA-AS earning chart, V is listed as a coach fare:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...a-airlines.jsp

I assume you mean, that it will earn as a V fare even though it's booking into F? I'm looking at ORD-SEA 12/15 - 12/17 & it shows $349 each way with a fare basis code of V21N2.