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NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)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NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)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 24, 2016, 2:04 pm
#1216
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: East Hampton/Dorado Beach
Posts: 591
I have one of these trips booked for in the fall.
Since AAdvantage mileage earnings is changing
(I am Lifetime PLT, don't need to re-qualify)
I was thinking of changing the AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Number to my BA number to earn more redeemable miles.
I assume the only way to do this would be to do it over the phone or at the airport.
Any way to do this on-line ?
Since AAdvantage mileage earnings is changing
(I am Lifetime PLT, don't need to re-qualify)
I was thinking of changing the AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Number to my BA number to earn more redeemable miles.
I assume the only way to do this would be to do it over the phone or at the airport.
Any way to do this on-line ?
Jun 24, 2016, 2:36 pm
#1217
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
I have one of these trips booked for in the fall.
Since AAdvantage mileage earnings is changing
(I am Lifetime PLT, don't need to re-qualify)
I was thinking of changing the AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Number to my BA number to earn more redeemable miles.
I assume the only way to do this would be to do it over the phone or at the airport.
Any way to do this on-line ?
Since AAdvantage mileage earnings is changing
(I am Lifetime PLT, don't need to re-qualify)
I was thinking of changing the AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Number to my BA number to earn more redeemable miles.
I assume the only way to do this would be to do it over the phone or at the airport.
Any way to do this on-line ?
Jun 24, 2016, 8:40 pm
#1218
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SXE
Programs: QF LTG, VA Gold, BA Gold, HH, SFSC
Posts: 502
Ah the joys of MRing. Delays have meant that I am overnighting in MIA - at AA's expense.
When I got to YVR a couple of days ago, the agent gave me the third degree. I tried explaining about mileage running, but all I got in return was 'but why not go from LAX'?
In the end, I think she only let me in because I wasn't coming back to Canada after visiting PTY. :shock:
When I got to YVR a couple of days ago, the agent gave me the third degree. I tried explaining about mileage running, but all I got in return was 'but why not go from LAX'?
In the end, I think she only let me in because I wasn't coming back to Canada after visiting PTY. :shock:
Jun 25, 2016, 3:39 am
#1219
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 759
Just did a variation of this run, supposed to be:
LAX-BOS-JFK-MIA-PTY-MIA-EWR-DFW-YVR
and the flight EWR-DFW got delayed by 7 hours! so I was forced to skip EWR and directly go to DFW instead... couple things:
good news: PTY has free wifi everywhere, but only 2 hours
PTY has a lot of people sleeping on the ground overnight
renovations did not affect the MIA D30 lounge that badly
bad news: only 2 hours of free wifi means pure agony if you stay longer, but Viena near one side of the airport is open all night and has some snacks, once you purchase some you can access their wifi, they have power outlets too.
all chairs have armrests, time to embrace the carpet
apparently a lot of flights get delayed, significantly
also anyone has any idea if you can recover the lost miles (2800 eqm!) for this rerouting? thx
LAX-BOS-JFK-MIA-PTY-MIA-EWR-DFW-YVR
and the flight EWR-DFW got delayed by 7 hours! so I was forced to skip EWR and directly go to DFW instead... couple things:
good news: PTY has free wifi everywhere, but only 2 hours
PTY has a lot of people sleeping on the ground overnight
renovations did not affect the MIA D30 lounge that badly
bad news: only 2 hours of free wifi means pure agony if you stay longer, but Viena near one side of the airport is open all night and has some snacks, once you purchase some you can access their wifi, they have power outlets too.
all chairs have armrests, time to embrace the carpet
apparently a lot of flights get delayed, significantly
also anyone has any idea if you can recover the lost miles (2800 eqm!) for this rerouting? thx
Jun 25, 2016, 3:51 am
#1220
Join Date: May 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVP Gold 75K, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 158
Jun 25, 2016, 1:54 pm
#1221
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
You might have the misfortune, as I did, of getting an agent who has no idea what you're talking about. Be prepared to either HUCA or have the agent pass you to someone who does.
Last edited by SpammersAreScum; Jun 26, 2016 at 9:02 am Reason: typo
Jun 26, 2016, 1:13 pm
#1222
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ABI/DFW
Programs: AA1MM;AA EXP;Hilton HHonors Gold; Hertz Gold; Emerald Club; Admirals Club;
Posts: 29
Safe for solo female?
A friend (also female) and I are doing this run July 18-20. We've done some kinda dicey MR's in the past. A few I wouldn't try alone. I'm thinking of doing this one or two times before/after. Bottom line, would you let your wife/sister do this run alone?
Jun 26, 2016, 1:22 pm
#1223
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 118
Yes! Panama seemed very safe (because there is a lot of money there). Felt much safer than other places in the region.
Jun 26, 2016, 3:15 pm
#1224
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SXE
Programs: QF LTG, VA Gold, BA Gold, HH, SFSC
Posts: 502
Jun 26, 2016, 11:02 pm
#1227
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YVR
Programs: BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 99
She actually said, not too long ago, Panama is her favorite solo destination. No cat calls, everyone tries to legimately help, not in creeper type ways. She arrives late, departs for the 6am with no issues, and her spanish is pathetic at best.
And she's beer commerical cute.
Absolutely zero issues in 3+ years.
Jun 27, 2016, 12:26 am
#1228
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 62
For what it's worth, I just put another MR on hold for October.
LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY-MIA-JFK-LAX is showing as 23,468 EQM... see the attachment, don't mind the times (AA now shows EQMs earned on their website when you're booking flights). With the same plane turnaround in PTY, you won't have to go through customs and both security screenings. The RJ isn't ideal on the MIA-PTY-MIA, but not having to leave the secure area is worth it and I'd rather spend a night in Miami than Panama. Also - not sure why it shows 8 EQS?
LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY-MIA-JFK-LAX is showing as 23,468 EQM... see the attachment, don't mind the times (AA now shows EQMs earned on their website when you're booking flights). With the same plane turnaround in PTY, you won't have to go through customs and both security screenings. The RJ isn't ideal on the MIA-PTY-MIA, but not having to leave the secure area is worth it and I'd rather spend a night in Miami than Panama. Also - not sure why it shows 8 EQS?
Jun 27, 2016, 5:38 am
#1229
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: some premium cabin...
Posts: 390
For what it's worth, I just put another MR on hold for October.
LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY-MIA-JFK-LAX is showing as 23,468 EQM... see the attachment, don't mind the times (AA now shows EQMs earned on their website when you're booking flights). With the same plane turnaround in PTY, you won't have to go through customs and both security screenings. The RJ isn't ideal on the MIA-PTY-MIA, but not having to leave the secure area is worth it and I'd rather spend a night in Miami than Panama. Also - not sure why it shows 8 EQS?
LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY-MIA-JFK-LAX is showing as 23,468 EQM... see the attachment, don't mind the times (AA now shows EQMs earned on their website when you're booking flights). With the same plane turnaround in PTY, you won't have to go through customs and both security screenings. The RJ isn't ideal on the MIA-PTY-MIA, but not having to leave the secure area is worth it and I'd rather spend a night in Miami than Panama. Also - not sure why it shows 8 EQS?
