BA J vs AA J TATL

[tuapekastar]

Any opinions on this? Currently booked on AA daytime J flight LHR-LAX but can (I think) switch to BA daytime flight.

TIA. (I imagine there may have been previous threads discussing this, but there's nothing like recent opinion).

 

[kamchatsky]

Given the level of strikes in BA these days, it is "better" to go with AA only because they probably can get you there on time!

 

[Mal]

Presume you're not planning on crediting to AA? If crediting to AA, then you can't get points for flying BA TATL ; likewise if in BA and flying on AA.

 

[djfuzz]

If FF earning or strikes aren't significant enough considerations (if they are, it's AA all the way) - if it's down to service / cabin quality, I would take BA (NNGCW) in a heartbeat.

AA J is tolerable, but can get really cramped real fast on a full flight, and those Recaro seats can be pretty tired and annoying when changing position. On the other hand, the BA Club World cabin feels a lot more comfortable and refined (and of course, has a flat bed).

 

[NM]

BA J will be fully-flat seat/bed, while AA is sloping but still quite good. Food will be of similar standard.

If all else is equal (such as FF program earning), then I would be basing my choice on schedule convenience.

 

[tuapekastar]

Thanks for the responses.

They're both daytime flights, and leave about an hour apart, so scheduling is not a major issue (though AA will allow me to sleep in one hour extra )

Beds v seats is not as big a deal as a night flight would be, but given it's ~11 hours, I daresay I'll be wanting some shuteye at some stage.

Lounges...maybe a swayer (BA have one in T3 also I think).

I'm leaning towards BA, assuming I'm able to make the switch. But I think I'll be satisfied enough even if I cannot. A recent thread has had some posters quite complimentary towards the AA experience in general.

 

[Mal]

Lounges...maybe a swayer (BA have one in T3 also I think).

Lounges are pretty similar. The BA T5 J lounges and BA T3 J lounges are similar enough. T3 also has a additional choice of CX/AA/JL lounges.

I like the feel of T5, but can't think of any reasons to choose that over T3 at Heathrow (unless you haven't been there before and want a look). The couple of times I've used T3 @ Heathrow things have been quick enough, and at either terminal you should get fast track security screening based on your class of travel.

 

[simongr]

Lounges are pretty similar. The BA T5 J lounges and BA T3 J lounges are similar enough. T3 also has a additional choice of CX/AA/JL lounges.

I like the feel of T5, but can't think of any reasons to choose that over T3 at Heathrow (unless you haven't been there before and want a look). The couple of times I've used T3 @ Heathrow things have been quick enough, and at either terminal you should get fast track security screening based on your class of travel.

I agree on the much of a muchness - I think the hot food options are better in T5 but not sure.

I hate the way that you are forced to walk away from the lounge to get to it at T5 but also the walk to the lounge in T3 is pretty long.

I found fasttrack at T3 to be pretty slow.

 

[Dave Noble]

For a daytime flight, generally I would take whichever was more conveniant however gIven the current dispute at BA I would not be trying to switch to BA if you are travelling anytime soon . If you are travelling r/t or be travelling onwards on AA, you may like to collect AA Platinum status plus some nice spending candy via the challenge given that seem to only have Ruby status at the moment

If there is availability in A class, then 1st class on AA can be obtained for approx USD500 by purchasing 25k AA miles if 1st class appeals



Dave

 

[Keith009]

I'd be sticking with AA purely because of the current uncertainty with BA.

As for the product:
- BA's CW seating beats the bejeezus out of AA's slopes
- Service much of a muchness. I find cabin crew on both airlines generally rather pleasant, with AA's being a little more consistent.
- Food is generally better on AA. BA seems to have better-sounding food in theory, but I find the actual execution to be subpar.
- Wine lists are generally better on BA
- Delicious Charles Heidsieck on BA vs god-awful Pommery NV on AA
- T5 is awesome

 

[NM]

If there is availability in A class, then 1st class on AA can be obtained for approx USD500 by purchasing 25k AA miles if 1st class appeals

Or an eVip from a friend can sometimes be better value

 

[tuapekastar]

If there is availability in A class, then 1st class on AA can be obtained for approx USD500 by purchasing 25k AA miles if 1st class appeals
Dave

As simple as that? If A is available (currently showing A2 BTW), and I have the miles (which I don't, though i would only need to purchase ~8K) then I can have a guaranteed upgrade? I think i'm too used to QF's lottery! And I guess I'll have to act pretty quickly (ticket the trip for starters :shock given A2!

This part of the trip is late July so I'm hoping any strike action is done and dusted by then (and that no more is planned after the current lot). I do have a couple of BA intra-Europe flights late June - again, hoping the current round of strikes are the last for at least a while.

There are certainly some good arguments for either airline but I'm leaning towards BA, though if I could get AA F I would likely take that.

 

[Keith009]

As simple as that? If A is available (currently showing A2 BTW), and I have the miles (which I don't, though i would only need to purchase ~8K) then I can have a guaranteed upgrade?

Yep, really that simple.

QFF's system is more the anomaly rather than the norm. Most every other carrier guarantee upgrades if the upgrade class is available, though they often book into a special award class rather than a revenue class.

 

[Dave Noble]

As simple as that? If A is available (currently showing A2 BTW), and I have the miles (which I don't, though i would only need to purchase ~8K) then I can have a guaranteed upgrade? I think i'm too used to QF's lottery! And I guess I'll have to act pretty quickly (ticket the trip for starters :shock given A2!
.

Yup. That's all there is to it. As long as there is A availability , the upgrade will be confirmed there and then

Dave

 

[tuapekastar]

Thanks gents!

I'll head down the AA F path and just hope the A availability lasts long enough (presume it has to be paid and ticketed prior to requesting upgrade), and may take several days for a points purchase transaction to complete.

 

[tuapekastar]

One more quick question:

On my reservation it says "Contact AA for upgrade awards*." which links to a list of phone numbers. I've had a squizz at aa.com and the answer doesn't jump out at me - Is there a points 'fee' for requesting the upgrade over the phone? I ask because I don't want to purchase any more miles than i need for the upgrade, but i'd hate to find out I needed, say 2000 miles as a fee for processing the upgrade txn over the phone (and didn't have them).

Thanks

 

[Dave Noble]

One more quick question:

On my reservation it says "Contact AA for upgrade awards*." which links to a list of phone numbers. I've had a squizz at aa.com and the answer doesn't jump out at me - Is there a points 'fee' for requesting the upgrade over the phone? I ask because I don't want to purchase any more miles than i need for the upgrade, but i'd hate to find out I needed, say 2000 miles as a fee for processing the upgrade txn over the phone (and didn't have them).

Thanks

Points wise, all you need is the 25k for the award

You may be hit for an expedite fee for booking the award if you are travelling within 21 days ( http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/programDetails/awards/awardDetails.jsp ) though I am not sure if this applies at all to upgrades.

 

[Mal]

Points wise, all you need is the 25k for the award

What's the situation where a ticket is booked through another carrier? Are AA able to take the ticket back and re-issue it?

Can remember some discussion about this previously, but not sure of the current situation.

 

[tuapekastar]

Points wise, all you need is the 25k for the award

You may be hit for an expedite fee for booking the award if you are travelling within 21 days ( Award Travel Details ) though I am not sure if this applies at all to upgrades.

Thanks for the update Dave. The travel in my case is late July so that should not be an issue for me (current A2 probably will be though if I take too long to snaffle the UG)

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks for the update Dave. The travel in my case is late July so that should not be an issue for me (current A2 probably will be though if I take too long to snaffle the UG)

Then time to stop thinking about it and get the miles purchased and should be able to grab the upgrade on monday ; I would expect that there would be a good chance that it will still be available; Try phoning AA and seeing if you can hold the award for 5 days; for normal award tickets, you can get them to place it on hold for 5 days which gives time to get the miles sorted, they may well allow it for upgrades too

just phone +1800 843 3000 and see what they can do