Apr 30, 2016, 12:36 pm
Last edit by: Server
OCTOBER 2016 UPDATE
LAX-JFK TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHTS:
1. Same day turns possible on the E-jets and morning 738s.
2. Bonuses now based on fare paid.
3. As of OCTOBER 2016, best fares are now around $1000. Fare tends to rise a few hundred for 2 pax. Fares can also occasionally rise for no discernible reason, but the price spikes have thus far proven to be temporary. Fares have the trend to drop during the year. Keep checking for fares in the $700-$800 ranges for best possible pricing.
4. Airport hotels with shuttles - Crowne Plaza Panama Airport & Riande Aeropuerto. The CP is slightly closer; the Riande is slightly nicer. The CP shuttle leaves the hotel every :00 and :30 and runs 24 hours but they seem to leave a few minutes early as it had left when I went down at 4:00AM on the dot. Also, note UberX charges a US$14 surcharge on top of the ~US$2 fare. CP has poor sound isolation, I could hear my neighbors on both sides including talking, crying baby etc. Had to wear earplugs to sleep.
5. Lounges:
Please refer to this thread for more detailed and accurate information on lounge access in general: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/1656378-help-desk-will-i-have-lounge-access-access-rules-2016-a.html
6. PTY Customs:
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
If you want the transcon bonus, enter the search with a connection in JFK. (e.g. LAX-JFK,JFK-MIA,MIA-PTY,PTY-JFK,JFK-SFO.) You can play around from there to get the best deal. Some of the better deals do not start and end in the same city (e.g. start in LAX, end in SFO may be cheaper than start/end in LAX).
Also, it's possible on the outbound portion to time it so you have no more than a 60-minute layover at JFK or MIA (though note that some of these flights aren't available on weekends). While yes, JFK is notorious for delays, this rarely applies for inbound red-eye flights. Also, note that AA 28 below is sometimes "hidden" if you're looking on Google Flights inside a much more expensive trip; that does not necessarily mean, however, that you can't get it for one of the trips under $1,000 (in other words, try it out to see).
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
Below is the shortest-possible outbound itinerary that has the LAX-JFK transcon on AA's A321T with flat-bed seats:
LAX-JFK on AA 28
10:45pm - 7:22am
JFK-MIA on AA 200
8:15am - 11:24am
(Note: AA has now switched all of the metal it used on this leg - on all JFK-MIA nonstops - to 757s instead of the 767s with international-style F & J seating.)***767 and 772 are back. Flight 200 is a 772**
MIA-PTY on AA 4434
12:33pm - 2:48pm
(Note: Even more distressingly, AA switched from using a 737 on this leg to an RJ, presumably because summer is off-peak season in Central America. The 6:05pm flight still uses a 737 if a full-size aircraft is a must.)
LAX-JFK TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHTS:
Recent fare rule inclusions, effective October 2016, now prevent any routing via JFK on the non-stop transcontinental A321T aircraft. Any future booking will demand a significantly higher fare to route on the non-stops via JFK. Unless the fare rules are modified and these clauses are removed (highly doubtful), the ability to fly on the transcons via JFK is a thing of the past.
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN LAX AND NYC
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
AND
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN SFO AND NYC
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
AND
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN SFO AND NYC
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
1. Same day turns possible on the E-jets and morning 738s.
2. Bonuses now based on fare paid.
3. As of OCTOBER 2016, best fares are now around $1000. Fare tends to rise a few hundred for 2 pax. Fares can also occasionally rise for no discernible reason, but the price spikes have thus far proven to be temporary. Fares have the trend to drop during the year. Keep checking for fares in the $700-$800 ranges for best possible pricing.
4. Airport hotels with shuttles - Crowne Plaza Panama Airport & Riande Aeropuerto. The CP is slightly closer; the Riande is slightly nicer. The CP shuttle leaves the hotel every :00 and :30 and runs 24 hours but they seem to leave a few minutes early as it had left when I went down at 4:00AM on the dot. Also, note UberX charges a US$14 surcharge on top of the ~US$2 fare. CP has poor sound isolation, I could hear my neighbors on both sides including talking, crying baby etc. Had to wear earplugs to sleep.
5. Lounges:
Please refer to this thread for more detailed and accurate information on lounge access in general: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/1656378-help-desk-will-i-have-lounge-access-access-rules-2016-a.html
LAX AIRPORT
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on status, it is simply departing/connecting/arriving at any point on same ticket to and from an eligible international destination. PTY is eligible and not excluded regardless of length.
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on class of service disregarding status, it is the international long haul clause that applies. Therefore, no "oneworld/QF lounge" access for non-elites for trips to and from PTY unless booking transcons since PTY is under 5 hours. BUT AA doesn't enforce this in their own lounges so Admirals Club access is expected.
AA GOLDs(RUBYs)/NON-ELITES
Admirals Club access is granted regardless of routing as AA does not enforce international long haul rule. However, the oneworld J lounge does for Golds(rubys)/non-elites as they are aware the PTY flights are under 5 hours. Booking transcon flights in J/F gains access to the OWJ/QFF lounges.
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Technically NONE (PTY under 5 hours therefore class of service rule applies) BUT AA still opens Admirals Club doors to all customers because they dont enforce the long-haul rule>
AA PLATINUMs
Platinums gain access to all AC/Business lounges regardless of routing due to flying to and from PTY. They gain access to First/Flagship lounges when traveling in F 3-class transcon
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + LAX oneworld J>
AA EXPs
EXPs have access to all lounges at all airports regardless of routing so long as they are traveling to and from PTY on the same itinerary (an international destination neither excluded from AA's list of ineligible regions nor limited by the flight length rule)
<EXPs Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in Y = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in J = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
NON-AA ONEWORLD ELITES
All sapphires and emeralds have some form of lounge access on any flight systemwide
<non-AA sapphires on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX>
<non-AA emeralds on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX + Flagship Lounge + QF F lounge LAX>
OTHER AIRPORTS
SFO - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
JFK - Admirals Club & Flagship Lounge for EXP/First 3-class/Emerald
MIA - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee), Oneworld Premium Lounge for EXP/First 3-Class/Emerald
PTY - No lounge access (Copa with PP, or for a fee, for 7am or later flights)
YVR - No lounge access (PP for a fee)
DFW - Admiral's Club (with F/C Dining for EXP/Emerald) (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on status, it is simply departing/connecting/arriving at any point on same ticket to and from an eligible international destination. PTY is eligible and not excluded regardless of length.
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on class of service disregarding status, it is the international long haul clause that applies. Therefore, no "oneworld/QF lounge" access for non-elites for trips to and from PTY unless booking transcons since PTY is under 5 hours. BUT AA doesn't enforce this in their own lounges so Admirals Club access is expected.
AA GOLDs(RUBYs)/NON-ELITES
Admirals Club access is granted regardless of routing as AA does not enforce international long haul rule. However, the oneworld J lounge does for Golds(rubys)/non-elites as they are aware the PTY flights are under 5 hours. Booking transcon flights in J/F gains access to the OWJ/QFF lounges.
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Technically NONE (PTY under 5 hours therefore class of service rule applies) BUT AA still opens Admirals Club doors to all customers because they dont enforce the long-haul rule>
AA PLATINUMs
Platinums gain access to all AC/Business lounges regardless of routing due to flying to and from PTY. They gain access to First/Flagship lounges when traveling in F 3-class transcon
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + LAX oneworld J>
AA EXPs
EXPs have access to all lounges at all airports regardless of routing so long as they are traveling to and from PTY on the same itinerary (an international destination neither excluded from AA's list of ineligible regions nor limited by the flight length rule)
<EXPs Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in Y = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in J = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
NON-AA ONEWORLD ELITES
All sapphires and emeralds have some form of lounge access on any flight systemwide
<non-AA sapphires on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX>
<non-AA emeralds on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX + Flagship Lounge + QF F lounge LAX>
OTHER AIRPORTS
SFO - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
JFK - Admirals Club & Flagship Lounge for EXP/First 3-class/Emerald
MIA - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee), Oneworld Premium Lounge for EXP/First 3-Class/Emerald
PTY - No lounge access (Copa with PP, or for a fee, for 7am or later flights)
YVR - No lounge access (PP for a fee)
DFW - Admiral's Club (with F/C Dining for EXP/Emerald) (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
6. PTY Customs:
Inbound to PTY -
Outbound to MIA -
7. Finding flights: - 12 noon - no lines reported
- 8PM Fri (5/27/16) - ~10 min line
Outbound to MIA -
- 4:40am - no lines reported
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
If you want the transcon bonus, enter the search with a connection in JFK. (e.g. LAX-JFK,JFK-MIA,MIA-PTY,PTY-JFK,JFK-SFO.) You can play around from there to get the best deal. Some of the better deals do not start and end in the same city (e.g. start in LAX, end in SFO may be cheaper than start/end in LAX).
Also, it's possible on the outbound portion to time it so you have no more than a 60-minute layover at JFK or MIA (though note that some of these flights aren't available on weekends). While yes, JFK is notorious for delays, this rarely applies for inbound red-eye flights. Also, note that AA 28 below is sometimes "hidden" if you're looking on Google Flights inside a much more expensive trip; that does not necessarily mean, however, that you can't get it for one of the trips under $1,000 (in other words, try it out to see).
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
Below is the shortest-possible outbound itinerary that has the LAX-JFK transcon on AA's A321T with flat-bed seats:
LAX-JFK on AA 28
10:45pm - 7:22am
JFK-MIA on AA 200
8:15am - 11:24am
(Note: AA has now switched all of the metal it used on this leg - on all JFK-MIA nonstops - to 757s instead of the 767s with international-style F & J seating.)***767 and 772 are back. Flight 200 is a 772**
MIA-PTY on AA 4434
12:33pm - 2:48pm
(Note: Even more distressingly, AA switched from using a 737 on this leg to an RJ, presumably because summer is off-peak season in Central America. The 6:05pm flight still uses a 737 if a full-size aircraft is a must.)
AA: LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY RT $702 in A/J 18.9K EQMs
Jun 1, 2016, 8:10 pm
#1021
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: OH
Programs: AA EXP; HHonors Gold; IHG Platinum
Posts: 122
I just resolved this, but it was very difficult. I was not going to fly to PTY without a confirmed seat assignment on the return because that means I most likely would NOT be able to obtain a BP in Miami prior to arrival and would have 100% missed the flight without being able to re-enter the gate area right away on an immediate turn around.
I went around in circles with the EXP line exploring all position solutions, but the agent was pretty handcuffed. She said they will not even consider addressing an oversold situation prior to the gate thus she could only make the modifications a major schedule change would permit. I tried for an alternate destination but was told changing the country was not allowed. I asked for a downgrade to a coach seat but she could not do that as the fight is Y0. Basically the options provided to me were fly as is (guaranteed misconnect in PTY without a seat assignment) or a refund/rebooking (doesn't work given my positioning flights). She was not interested in helping a displaced elite revenue premium class passenger.
I was then transferred a customer service/relations supervisor who was able to rebook me in coach with a confirmed seat. I made the point that if you're already overbooked in Business what difference does it make if you overbook me in coach instead?
It took 75 minutes of my time, but I walked away with a seat in coach, supervisors notation for original routing credit, and a $400 e-voucher for my downgrade to economy
Hopefully there will be some sweet IDB offers in PTY for those with flexible plans. I'm a bit confused why AA isn't interested in resolving some of this in advance. Delta is MUCH easier to work with in situations like these.
I went around in circles with the EXP line exploring all position solutions, but the agent was pretty handcuffed. She said they will not even consider addressing an oversold situation prior to the gate thus she could only make the modifications a major schedule change would permit. I tried for an alternate destination but was told changing the country was not allowed. I asked for a downgrade to a coach seat but she could not do that as the fight is Y0. Basically the options provided to me were fly as is (guaranteed misconnect in PTY without a seat assignment) or a refund/rebooking (doesn't work given my positioning flights). She was not interested in helping a displaced elite revenue premium class passenger.
I was then transferred a customer service/relations supervisor who was able to rebook me in coach with a confirmed seat. I made the point that if you're already overbooked in Business what difference does it make if you overbook me in coach instead?
It took 75 minutes of my time, but I walked away with a seat in coach, supervisors notation for original routing credit, and a $400 e-voucher for my downgrade to economy
Hopefully there will be some sweet IDB offers in PTY for those with flexible plans. I'm a bit confused why AA isn't interested in resolving some of this in advance. Delta is MUCH easier to work with in situations like these.
Jun 2, 2016, 9:07 am
#1022
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I just resolved this, but it was very difficult. I was not going to fly to PTY without a confirmed seat assignment on the return because that means I most likely would NOT be able to obtain a BP in Miami prior to arrival and would have 100% missed the flight without being able to re-enter the gate area right away on an immediate turn around.
I went around in circles with the EXP line exploring all position solutions, but the agent was pretty handcuffed. She said they will not even consider addressing an oversold situation prior to the gate thus she could only make the modifications a major schedule change would permit. I tried for an alternate destination but was told changing the country was not allowed. I asked for a downgrade to a coach seat but she could not do that as the fight is Y0. Basically the options provided to me were fly as is (guaranteed misconnect in PTY without a seat assignment) or a refund/rebooking (doesn't work given my positioning flights). She was not interested in helping a displaced elite revenue premium class passenger.
I was then transferred a customer service/relations supervisor who was able to rebook me in coach with a confirmed seat. I made the point that if you're already overbooked in Business what difference does it make if you overbook me in coach instead?
It took 75 minutes of my time, but I walked away with a seat in coach, supervisors notation for original routing credit, and a $400 e-voucher for my downgrade to economy
Hopefully there will be some sweet IDB offers in PTY for those with flexible plans. I'm a bit confused why AA isn't interested in resolving some of this in advance. Delta is MUCH easier to work with in situations like these.
I went around in circles with the EXP line exploring all position solutions, but the agent was pretty handcuffed. She said they will not even consider addressing an oversold situation prior to the gate thus she could only make the modifications a major schedule change would permit. I tried for an alternate destination but was told changing the country was not allowed. I asked for a downgrade to a coach seat but she could not do that as the fight is Y0. Basically the options provided to me were fly as is (guaranteed misconnect in PTY without a seat assignment) or a refund/rebooking (doesn't work given my positioning flights). She was not interested in helping a displaced elite revenue premium class passenger.
I was then transferred a customer service/relations supervisor who was able to rebook me in coach with a confirmed seat. I made the point that if you're already overbooked in Business what difference does it make if you overbook me in coach instead?
It took 75 minutes of my time, but I walked away with a seat in coach, supervisors notation for original routing credit, and a $400 e-voucher for my downgrade to economy
Hopefully there will be some sweet IDB offers in PTY for those with flexible plans. I'm a bit confused why AA isn't interested in resolving some of this in advance. Delta is MUCH easier to work with in situations like these.
Given the cost of these tickets and the length of that flight, $400 e-voucher sounds pretty good.
Jun 2, 2016, 2:03 pm
#1023
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO
Posts: 1,719
Glad is worked out. I think the challenge in this case is that most people are not doing MR, so it can be resolved at the gate. At that point, you would have most likely gotten a seat in First(Business) or possibly an involuntary downgrade.
Given the cost of these tickets and the length of that flight, $400 e-voucher sounds pretty good.
Given the cost of these tickets and the length of that flight, $400 e-voucher sounds pretty good.
I was really happy with the solution offered🙂
Jun 2, 2016, 4:09 pm
#1024
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san clemente ca
Programs: AA,DL
Posts: 374
No this fare is still available, and many people are doing the run every week. Like me
this weekend and the 17th to 19th. Just wondering is the chit chat bothering you? I'm wondering why would one ask a tread to be closed. I'm trying to see your view point not fight because I don't get it. Looking forward to my first MR in several years.
^
Jun 2, 2016, 4:14 pm
#1025
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,402
No this fare is still available, and many people are doing the run every week. Like me this weekend and the 17th to 19th.
Just wondering is the chit chat bothering you? I'm wondering why would one ask a tread to be closed. I'm trying to see your view point not fight because I don't get it. Looking forward to my first MR in several years.^
this weekend and the 17th to 19th. Just wondering is the chit chat bothering you? I'm wondering why would one ask a tread to be closed. I'm trying to see your view point not fight because I don't get it. Looking forward to my first MR in several years.
^Given that this deal is very much still alive and people are/will ask questions about how to book/best to maximize mileage I agree that it should definitely stay here though.
Jun 2, 2016, 5:10 pm
#1026
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: AA Fool's Gold
Posts: 158
Totally agree!!! Because of recent posts I was able to meet up with several FlyerTalkers over the weekend and it was GREAT!
Jun 2, 2016, 9:40 pm
#1027
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san clemente ca
Programs: AA,DL
Posts: 374
I don't think he's asking for it to be closed, but to be moved - Fares that are dead but people still flying/discusing it usually get moved to the Mileage Run Discussion forum.
Given that this deal is very much still alive and people are/will ask questions about how to book/best to maximize mileage I agree that it should definitely stay here though.
Given that this deal is very much still alive and people are/will ask questions about how to book/best to maximize mileage I agree that it should definitely stay here though.
Jun 2, 2016, 11:54 pm
#1030
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: AA Fool's Gold
Posts: 158
Jun 2, 2016, 11:55 pm
#1031
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NorCal
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott GLD, HH PLT, Hertz 5*
Posts: 766
I'm still looking for someone to share a Panama 5hr canal/old-city tour on 18th June, (I fly in on AA1021) and plan to use the tour to pick me up from the airport at 12:30.)
/BM
/BM
Jun 2, 2016, 11:56 pm
#1032
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO
Posts: 1,719
Jun 3, 2016, 3:43 am
#1034
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,774
Is it risky booking the E75 for MIA-PTY and then doing a turnaround?
Got the option of flying into PTY at 3:18pm and then catching the 4:18pm flight back to MIA (on a separate itinerary) or arriving any time and overnighting before catching the early flight.
Got the option of flying into PTY at 3:18pm and then catching the 4:18pm flight back to MIA (on a separate itinerary) or arriving any time and overnighting before catching the early flight.