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NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)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NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)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
Jul 7, 2016, 9:00 am
#1291
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
Ya, they usually can.
Jul 7, 2016, 10:16 am
#1292
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SNA
Posts: 928
I've never had an issue with the MIA AC agents printing my return BP (as long as it's within the 24-hr window, of course).
Jul 7, 2016, 6:49 pm
#1293
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YVR
Programs: BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 99
Just did another turn in PTY, and this time on the Embraear 175. Super nice to sit alone on the single row, and I think the food is better than the reheated AA stuff I got used to. Smaller crew and number of passengers, the plane rides the bumps no problem, and quiet. I forgot how much I liked this aircraft.
6 flights, all departed and arrived early, except for MIA from MCO (gate occupied).
6 flights, all departed and arrived early, except for MIA from MCO (gate occupied).
Jul 8, 2016, 12:21 am
#1294
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: ex-multiyear AA EXP/OWE, now SA Gold/AC Super Elite
Posts: 165
Hey, can someone walk me through how many miles I'll earn for my MR? (Or point me to a resource that shows me how to calculate it myself?)
9 segments: YVR-PHX-JFK-MIA-PTY-MIA-BOS-PHL-PHX-YVR
Status is Plat, not EXP.
Just trying to do some math.
9 segments: YVR-PHX-JFK-MIA-PTY-MIA-BOS-PHL-PHX-YVR
Status is Plat, not EXP.
Just trying to do some math.
Jul 8, 2016, 3:51 am
#1295
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: PHL (1st) EWR (2nd) BWI (3rd)
Programs: 2016 UA Gold & AA Platinum
Posts: 19
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=YVR-PHX...OS-PHL-PHX-YVR
AA credit will not match this 100%, but it should be accurate within a few miles. Add multipliers (ie: 2x for business fare, etc) and 500 mile minimums as they may apply.
Last edited by jdoll; Jul 8, 2016 at 4:03 am
Jul 8, 2016, 12:21 pm
#1296
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Assuming A/P/D/I/R booking classes, this should be close:
base | booking class | status | eqm | class of service bonus | elite bonus | f&biz bonus promo | total rdm |
1230 | i | plat | 2460 | 615 | 1230 | 250 | 3325 |
2153 | a | plat | 4306 | 1077 | 2153 | 500 | 5883 |
1089 | a | plat | 2178 | 545 | 1089 | 500 | 3223 |
1152 | i | plat | 2304 | 576 | 1152 | 250 | 3130 |
1152 | i | plat | 2304 | 576 | 1152 | 250 | 3130 |
1258 | a | plat | 2516 | 629 | 1258 | 500 | 3645 |
280 | a | plat | 560 | 140 | 280 | 500 | 1200 |
2075 | a | plat | 4150 | 1038 | 2075 | 500 | 5688 |
1230 | i | plat | 2460 | 615 | 1230 | 250 | 3325 |
grand total eqm: 23238
grand total rdm: 32549
Jul 8, 2016, 2:54 pm
#1298
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA EVP, United 1K and 2MM, Starwood Lifetime Platinum, Delta
Posts: 219
Just makes logistics much simpler/removes a potential headache.
Jul 8, 2016, 9:39 pm
#1299
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san clemente ca
Programs: AA,DL
Posts: 374
At JFK FL awaiting final return leg of a lax-jfk-mia-pty RT routing. Yesterday passing through MIA had no problem getting paper boarding passes issued en route to PTY- and also had done this routing once before and had no issues getting BP the afternoon before PTY departure at the Admirals club in MIA.
Just makes logistics much simpler/removes a potential headache.
Just makes logistics much simpler/removes a potential headache.
Anyone doing the run tonight? I'm on AA 10 in the FL if anyone wants to come in.
Jul 8, 2016, 9:53 pm
#1300
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: AA Plat, Nexus
Posts: 358
Yes, the shuttle TO the Crowne Plaza runs every 30 minutes. Be patient, and wait for it curbside. You do not want to walk to the hotel. If you are picturing city streets with sidewalks and signals between the airport and hotel, think again. The road is a circuitous route, with dirt shoulders and lots of traffic.
If I were arriving in the wee hours, and traffic were sparse, I'd walk it. Same as the walk to the airport, but in reverse.
You can also walk to the bus stop (cross to the one on the other side) then go one stop to the Crowne Plaza. This only works if someone will swipe their card for you, or you already have a metro card.
Jul 8, 2016, 9:54 pm
#1301
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: PDX
Programs: AA Plat, Nexus
Posts: 358
Jul 8, 2016, 10:54 pm
#1302
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern California
Programs: AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Aeroplan 25K, UA Silver
Posts: 494
This is my first try at this run. Could someone clarify for me why people are leaving for the airport at 4:30am? I thought I had the first flight going thru Miami to JFK, and it leaves at 7 am. Is there a different flight people are taking that requires them to be at the airport very early or is getting thru the airport such a mess that one needs to plan extra time? I am feeling a little bit anxious and am trying to be sure I will not run into problems. Thank you.
Jul 8, 2016, 11:59 pm
#1303
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
I'll take a stab at this.
The 7:00am flight could have been a 6:00am flight earlier in the year. Hence, leaving the hotel earlier for the airport. If you have a 7:00am flight, getting on the 5:00am shuttle should work just fine for you.
However, make sure you are at the hotel entrance ten minutes before the shuttle leaves. You don't want to miss the shuttle, and then miss your flight! You are not in LAX or MIA, with possible alternative flights. You are in Panama City. Missing a flight could mean staying another night, which could negatively affect the entire mileage run. That would suck.
The 7:00am flight could have been a 6:00am flight earlier in the year. Hence, leaving the hotel earlier for the airport. If you have a 7:00am flight, getting on the 5:00am shuttle should work just fine for you.
However, make sure you are at the hotel entrance ten minutes before the shuttle leaves. You don't want to miss the shuttle, and then miss your flight! You are not in LAX or MIA, with possible alternative flights. You are in Panama City. Missing a flight could mean staying another night, which could negatively affect the entire mileage run. That would suck.
Jul 9, 2016, 5:44 am
#1304
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
I'll take a stab at this.
The 7:00am flight could have been a 6:00am flight earlier in the year. Hence, leaving the hotel earlier for the airport. If you have a 7:00am flight, getting on the 5:00am shuttle should work just fine for you.
However, make sure you are at the hotel entrance ten minutes before the shuttle leaves. You don't want to miss the shuttle, and then miss your flight! You are not in LAX or MIA, with possible alternative flights. You are in Panama City. Missing a flight could mean staying another night, which could negatively affect the entire mileage run. That would suck.
The 7:00am flight could have been a 6:00am flight earlier in the year. Hence, leaving the hotel earlier for the airport. If you have a 7:00am flight, getting on the 5:00am shuttle should work just fine for you.
However, make sure you are at the hotel entrance ten minutes before the shuttle leaves. You don't want to miss the shuttle, and then miss your flight! You are not in LAX or MIA, with possible alternative flights. You are in Panama City. Missing a flight could mean staying another night, which could negatively affect the entire mileage run. That would suck.