Best way for flying from JFK to LAX

[mutant]

Hi,
I am currently looking to book a domestic flight from JFK to LAX on the 8th april (easter sunday). There seems to be mix reviews on all the domestic airlines (Alaska, united, air america etc). On that day, the flights that I am looking at is either operated by alaska/delta, united/continental or virgin america. I do have a choice of using up 100000 QFF points for 2 first class seats on american airlines but that flight departs at 6.45am. It also seems a waste of 100000 points as i was told that first class domestic is not that much greater (apart from having less of a Q for the toilets??) Would value your opinion re the pros and cons of economy vs using points for first class, and also which airlines you would recommend. Will be leaving new york from a hotel (not from a connecting flight).​

 

[Blackswan]

Hi,
I am currently looking to book a domestic flight from JFK to LAX on the 8th april (easter sunday). There seems to be mix reviews on all the domestic airlines (Alaska, united, air america etc). On that day, the flights that I am looking at is either operated by alaska/delta, united/continental or virgin america. I do have a choice of using up 100000 QFF points for 2 first class seats on american airlines but that flight departs at 6.45am. It also seems a waste of 100000 points as i was told that first class domestic is not that much greater (apart from having less of a Q for the toilets??) Would value your opinion re the pros and cons of economy vs using points for first class, and also which airlines you would recommend. Will be leaving new york from a hotel (not from a connecting flight).​

Personally, I wouldn't think 100,000 was good value for two F seats. I would either;

• Pay to fly Y. All the legacy carriers are on par with each other. If you have QFF status, you'll be able to get Oneworld benefits flying AA (as well as earning points on eligible fare codes). Otherwise, you could try Virgin America, or Jetblue. Jetblue give you one bag for free.
• If you have time to spare, look for a instant upgrade fare on American - which will earn you F or J status credits. For the best value (particularly flying between these two cities), you should look at the options with connections.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I agree with BlackSwan re using QF ff points being a waste of money or not getting the best value that you may be able to. You don't earn any frequent flyer points on QF award tickets flying with other carrier whereas if you used those points for a QF or JQ anyseat award you would. I think it's better to hang onto your points & use them for a JASA long haul eg HNL to SYD, BNE or CNS is 60,000 points pp plus cash between AUD500.00 to AUD800.00 depending on what Australian city you flew into.

I use www.priceline.com for domestic USA flights as it compares all airlines. When I work out the cheapest fare & preferred airline I then go directly to that airline's web site to book it.

A lot of US carriers allow you to upgrade to first class for maybe USD150.00 for a trans-continental flight so often when you OLCI you will be given this option. If you elect to travel in First you will still only get ff points & SC for the original class of travel. I travelled LAX/LAS on AA & was offered the option of upgrading to First Class for USD45.00 which I accepted. I would have had to pay USD25.00 for one checked bag if I was travelling in whY so the net cost to me was USD20.00 as no charge for bags in First Class.

 

[serfty]

USA Domestic economy is pretty poor these days.

Do you have any Airline status?

"Instant Upgrade" fares are not good value on this route.

I personally would book the cheapest AA booking NYC-LAX I could find, then use 15,000 AA miles + USD75 co-pay (or a gifted eVIP/SWU).

(Just make sure A for First on two class routes or C for Business for three class routes is available on the flight you choose before booking.)

e.g.

You could book the 3:35pm AA133 for USD275, buy 15K AA miles for USD450 & use these to upgrade to Business class for USD800 all up.

Do you have any Amex MR points? 45,600 of these can convert (at poor rates IMHO) to AA via SPG to 15K AA miles.

 

[nonpop]

To me that flight time is worth the First Class (Paid) ticket.
Plus I'd be wanting the QF SC's which is a nice earner in first.
I do DFW & ORD to LAX and always look to take the first seat.
The seats are bigger - similar to QF ol' school domestic e.g B767 Business class.
Less pax per toilet (something I really like), slightly better food (yet on AA it is poor as it is) and priority boarding which is excellent. I've also never had the J cabin over sold like the Y cabin. Now it does also depends on the bird you fly. I prefer their B757s vs the MD80's. But both are old bits of junk IMHO. So if you can pick up a B767 then even better. But then again YMMV.

So if you can afford the first tickets (paid not points) and live with ealry start, then this is what I'd do.
Otherwise if price matters, then just go with one of the suggested booking sites and find the cheapest / best value. And if Virgin is priced well then I'd consider as the service seems to be a bit better.

 

[cove]

New York to Los Angeles is a longer flight than Sydney to Perth so it is worth considering First Class. Now if your points are scarce in that 100,000 points would take a long time to replace then this flight is low value in the use of points compared with what has been mentioned.
The 767 would be the best choice for comfort in First.
I use Australian Expedia for short US flights and for flights up to about 3 hours I am ok with economy.
Don't expect to be amazed by your flight experience in First Class other than the bigger seat and leg room and more attentive service.

 

[Kefci2000]

Hi,
I am currently looking to book a domestic flight from JFK to LAX on the 8th april (easter sunday). There seems to be mix reviews on all the domestic airlines (Alaska, united, air america etc). On that day, the flights that I am looking at is either operated by alaska/delta, united/continental or virgin america. I do have a choice of using up 100000 QFF points for 2 first class seats on american airlines but that flight departs at 6.45am. It also seems a waste of 100000 points as i was told that first class domestic is not that much greater (apart from having less of a Q for the toilets??) Would value your opinion re the pros and cons of economy vs using points for first class, and also which airlines you would recommend. Will be leaving new york from a hotel (not from a connecting flight).​

I assume you are stopping in LAX (not flying direct on to OZ) otherwise QF108 and Skybed 1 on A330 is the go

 

[mutant]

I assume you are stopping in LAX (not flying direct on to OZ) otherwise QF108 and Skybed 1 on A330 is the go

Will be stopping in LAX for 2 nights before flying back to melbourne.

 

[arraitch]

One other option to consider ... a one-way flight in first within North America may be redeemed for as little as 25,000 AA miles. Purchasing said miles with the current promotion will cost you $577.50+ USD.

 

[mutant]

So anyone can just go on the website and buy the AA miles?

 

[serfty]

You have to join AAdvantage, it's free: (https://www.aa.com/AAdvantage/quickEnroll.do)

You then go to buy miles: https://buy.points.com/PointsPartne...nguage=EN&product=BUY&CAMPAIGNCODE=AAMktPgDom

The 25,000 miles cost USD769 including 'tax'. These are posted quite quickly.

Note As posted by arraich there is a promotion that would give 4000 bonus miles, so buying 21,000 miles (for USD651) gives 4000 bonus - but these bonus miles can take several weeks to post. If you can wait, then fine.

Then you look for Flights that suit with A class and book them - can be done on line!

 

[mutant]

New York to Los Angeles is a longer flight than Sydney to Perth so it is worth considering First Class. Now if your points are scarce in that 100,000 points would take a long time to replace then this flight is low value in the use of points compared with what has been mentioned.
The 767 would be the best choice for comfort in First.
I use Australian Expedia for short US flights and for flights up to about 3 hours I am ok with economy.
Don't expect to be amazed by your flight experience in First Class other than the bigger seat and leg room and more attentive service.

Took me 5-6 months to accumulate that 100000 points. We usually travelling with our 2 kids....hence don't fancy out chances of getting an upgrade with points when flying with them....maybe I will just save the 1300 dollars for 2 tickets and use up my points...(i also noted that on the website they said 6-8 weeks for delivery of bonus points....cutting it a bit close with a 8th april flight. What do you think?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

One other option to consider ... a one-way flight in first within North America may be redeemed for as little as 25,000 AA miles. Purchasing said miles with the current promotion will cost you $577.50+ USD.

Remember that there are some KUPP fares out there for that amount or some cases less than that which will give you several flights in F for that one price which would save you mucking around with purchasing extra points & waiting for them to post.

Took me 5-6 months to accumulate that 100000 points. We usually travelling with our 2 kids....hence don't fancy out chances of getting an upgrade with points when flying with them....maybe I will just save the 1300 dollars for 2 tickets and use up my points...(i also noted that on the website they said 6-8 weeks for delivery of bonus points....cutting it a bit close with a 8th april flight. What do you think?

Why not purchase the cheapest AA fare on a B767 service for the First recliner seats then go for the option of upgrading to First if it was offered when you either OLCI or checkin at a kiosk at the airport? It's not a sure thing but if you want guaranteed F then go with the KUPP option.

 

[serfty]

Remember that there are some KUPP fares out there for that amount or some cases less than that which will give you several flights in F for that one price which would save you mucking around with purchasing extra points & waiting for them to post. ...

KUPP's on this route start from around USD1550 o/w.

FareCompare.com App: Fare Display

 

[ozbeachbabe]

KUPP's on this route start from around USD1550 o/w.

FareCompare.com App: Fare Display

I realise that NYC/LAX you wouldn't even consider a KUPP however you could buy a one way positioning fare JFK to Caribbean for USD180.00ish then a Caribbean/LAX fare for USD500.00ish.

It just depends how much time you have up your sleeve for an extra night here 'n' there.

 

[serfty]

I may have suggested that as well, but given the specific Easter Sunday date, I doubted that idea would work for the OP. (FWIW, both LAX and NYC as origins/destinations make for relatively expensive instant upgrade fares.)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I realise 6 hours is a long time on one flight so you could maybe choose an option of going via a hub city to break up the journey eg LGA/DFW/LAX & you would be able to use Admirals Club during the transit. If flying on AA double check what class you're in as you won't accrue ff points or SC if your flight is in "O" or "Q" classes.

A couple of years ago we flew MCO/xIAH/SAN on CO for about AUD152.00 pp. We were able to preallocate seats in whY but the day before when we did OLCI the exit rows which were previously not available to us for preselection became available so we were able to get exit row seating the whole way at no cost to us.