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NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)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NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)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 9, 2016, 11:02 am
#1306
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SJC, SFO
Programs: Motel 6 Super Diamond
Posts: 351
Yes, earlier this week, I was on a 6AM departure. And the hotel airport shuttle does seem to leave early as I came down at 4AM and it had already left and I had to take an expensive UberX ($16) that took forever to come.
Jul 10, 2016, 12:55 am
#1309
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 52
Just returning from my 3rd run to PTY and thought I would try to contribute/add some data points.
-AC agents are the best. Got me through many delays and a cancellation. At the first sight of major delay/cancellation I would highly recommend running to AC.
-PTY immigration is easy in/out even as an inexperienced traveler (myself, this was my first time using my passport). My only experience here was a 1 night stay. No problems. My other 2 trips were same day turns.
-Same day turns no problem in PTY or US. Today the US officer asked how long I stayed to which I responded "about an hour." She said "oh, are you a courier?" Me: "no, just went for the airline miles" She gave me a dirty look and waived me through.
-In MIA, use the mobile passport app. The last 2 weeks there were hundreds of people at the normal kiosk, a few dozen at GE and literally 2 people in the mobile line.
-Lower your expectations of the service cre on MIA-PTY-MIA. This varies even more than the usual AA domestic. My last flights were no PDB and only one drink offered for the whole flight. I had to waive for some water.
That's all I got for now. I hope someone can find something useful here, don't mean to clutter the thread.
-AC agents are the best. Got me through many delays and a cancellation. At the first sight of major delay/cancellation I would highly recommend running to AC.
-PTY immigration is easy in/out even as an inexperienced traveler (myself, this was my first time using my passport). My only experience here was a 1 night stay. No problems. My other 2 trips were same day turns.
-Same day turns no problem in PTY or US. Today the US officer asked how long I stayed to which I responded "about an hour." She said "oh, are you a courier?" Me: "no, just went for the airline miles" She gave me a dirty look and waived me through.
-In MIA, use the mobile passport app. The last 2 weeks there were hundreds of people at the normal kiosk, a few dozen at GE and literally 2 people in the mobile line.
-Lower your expectations of the service cre on MIA-PTY-MIA. This varies even more than the usual AA domestic. My last flights were no PDB and only one drink offered for the whole flight. I had to waive for some water.
That's all I got for now. I hope someone can find something useful here, don't mean to clutter the thread.
Jul 10, 2016, 7:23 am
#1310
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
I suggest you contact AA customer relations and: 1) share your experience on the MIA-PTY legs; 2) Request some type of compensation for the poor service. You should also share with AA the wonderful service you received in the AC lounge. Communicate the positive and the negative.
You chose AA over other airlines to make this trip. You paid for that seat. If the airline's service was unacceptable or below what the airline promises, notify them and get it resolved. Please don't lower your expectations.
You chose AA over other airlines to make this trip. You paid for that seat. If the airline's service was unacceptable or below what the airline promises, notify them and get it resolved. Please don't lower your expectations.
Jul 10, 2016, 7:33 am
#1311
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Utah
Programs: AA EXP, AS G75K
Posts: 104
I was ticketed to do this run last week, and especially happy to get MIA-LAX on 773 I. But it never happened. The departure from LAX was delayed 4.5 hrs - when I arrived at the gate, looking out the window, the wheel was off the 737 with parts on the ground and about 5 mechanics standing around looking at it. I knew I had no chance of making connections so i reticketed through DFW - pissed that I lost miles and increased my cpm. Got on that flight at LAX with a very tight connection in PHX - everyone buckled in and ready to go - i look and the cockpit door is still open and .. no pilots! So that flight was delayed past my connections. I was so pissed at that point i had to reticket again and take a hotel room at LAX. I went to the hotel and realized that I had absolutely no confidence they could get out of LAX at any time, so I called and cancelled my ticket and applied for a refund - and wrote a nasty letter to customer care.
Customer care replied back and did .... nothing ! I was expecting maybe a few miles for my problems? "we see you already submitted for a refund, so we will escalate your request .." was the best they could do.
The GA was pretty understanding with me, she admitted that the company is pushing too hard with too many flights and over aggressive schedules.
Pisses me off, they hand out 50k miles to cc signups, but BIS customers get jack.
This is the first MR I ever had to bail on, and do the walk of shame out of the airport.
Customer care replied back and did .... nothing ! I was expecting maybe a few miles for my problems? "we see you already submitted for a refund, so we will escalate your request .." was the best they could do.
The GA was pretty understanding with me, she admitted that the company is pushing too hard with too many flights and over aggressive schedules.
Pisses me off, they hand out 50k miles to cc signups, but BIS customers get jack.
This is the first MR I ever had to bail on, and do the walk of shame out of the airport.
Jul 10, 2016, 10:58 am
#1312
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
I was ticketed to do this run last week, and especially happy to get MIA-LAX on 773 I. But it never happened. The departure from LAX was delayed 4.5 hrs - when I arrived at the gate, looking out the window, the wheel was off the 737 with parts on the ground and about 5 mechanics standing around looking at it. I knew I had no chance of making connections so i reticketed through DFW - pissed that I lost miles and increased my cpm. Got on that flight at LAX with a very tight connection in PHX - everyone buckled in and ready to go - i look and the cockpit door is still open and .. no pilots! So that flight was delayed past my connections. I was so pissed at that point i had to reticket again and take a hotel room at LAX. I went to the hotel and realized that I had absolutely no confidence they could get out of LAX at any time, so I called and cancelled my ticket and applied for a refund - and wrote a nasty letter to customer care.
Customer care replied back and did .... nothing ! I was expecting maybe a few miles for my problems? "we see you already submitted for a refund, so we will escalate your request .." was the best they could do.
The GA was pretty understanding with me, she admitted that the company is pushing too hard with too many flights and over aggressive schedules.
Pisses me off, they hand out 50k miles to cc signups, but BIS customers get jack.
This is the first MR I ever had to bail on, and do the walk of shame out of the airport.
Customer care replied back and did .... nothing ! I was expecting maybe a few miles for my problems? "we see you already submitted for a refund, so we will escalate your request .." was the best they could do.
The GA was pretty understanding with me, she admitted that the company is pushing too hard with too many flights and over aggressive schedules.
Pisses me off, they hand out 50k miles to cc signups, but BIS customers get jack.
This is the first MR I ever had to bail on, and do the walk of shame out of the airport.
Jul 10, 2016, 4:43 pm
#1313
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san clemente ca
Programs: AA,DL
Posts: 374
On mileage runs I try and goin into whatever mode. I love late delayed flights. In my 3 runs to PTY and Uio I've received $1500 in vouchers due to trip in vain and over sells. Plus I've received bonus miles. trip n vain is the term and asking for original routing credit to customer relations. I think you pulled the plug a little quick on this run.
Jul 10, 2016, 10:45 pm
#1314
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: san clemente ca
Programs: AA,DL
Posts: 374
AA has been real good to me.
Jul 11, 2016, 11:49 am
#1315
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 75
Is there any way to easily look up dates that work for this? I'm not familiar with the ITA tool so I can use Google Flights but can't get the price under $1000 unless I look out several months in advanced (need this to be on a weekend - not sure how so many people here can do trips Tuesday - Friday haha).
Jul 11, 2016, 11:55 am
#1316
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
Is there any way to easily look up dates that work for this? I'm not familiar with the ITA tool so I can use Google Flights but can't get the price under $1000 unless I look out several months in advanced (need this to be on a weekend - not sure how so many people here can do trips Tuesday - Friday haha).
Jul 11, 2016, 1:03 pm
#1317
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX/NYC/LA
Programs: AA Plt, Marriott Gold, National EE, Hertz PC, El Mambero De Mucci, PWP Aide to Generalissimo Godot
Posts: 4,894
I've continued to look and I don't find any dates for August that includes more than 1 stop. I'm familiar with ITA so I know it's not that. I just truly can't find it.
Jul 11, 2016, 1:19 pm
#1318
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: some premium cabin...
Posts: 390
Jul 11, 2016, 2:24 pm
#1319
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,648
http://goo.gl/flights/VvdG
Jul 11, 2016, 2:26 pm
#1320
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,648
Sorry for the basic question: so if my flight is delayed/cancelled due to mechanical/staffing issues, should I first try to be re-routed, then later call customer relations and ask for original routing credit and reasonable compensation OR I should discuss the compensation first before accepting the re-route.