Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC's

[Grooba]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

The most appealing option was a couple of hops to SJU and then some more hops to LAX for a total cost of around USD1100, including an overnight hotel in Puerto Rico. IIRC, this produced around 500 SCs (slightly fewer than optimal as there were only business class seats available to and from SJU, though first class was available for all other sectors.)

You have been as efficient as possible as AA do not have any F sectors down to the Caribbean.

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

You have been as efficient as possible as AA do not have any F sectors down to the Caribbean.

The seats are the same but instead of being sold as F class they're sold as J class. Probably to do with how the destination is not within the 50 states.

 

[Grooba]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

The seats are the same but instead of being sold as F class they're sold as J class. Probably to do with how the destination is not within the 50 states.

Correct. However the issue at hand within this thread is about YUPP fares and maximising SC return per $ spent. So what class the plane is sold on other routes is irrelevant; my post was stating that that max SC obtainable on an ex USA flight on AA down to the Caribbean is at J SC rates, not F.

 

[serfty]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

The trick with Carribean runs when squeezing out the last possible SC is to try to ensure that you connect via MIA.

e.g. -ORD-xMIA-SJU earns 120 SC's for F between ORD and MIA and 60 SC's for Business on to SJU totaling 180. However, -ORD-xNYC-SJU earns 90 SC's for F between ORD and MYC and 80 SC's for Business on to SJU totaling 170 even though the latter route is a little further.


One thing to note that USair does run "F" to the Carribean, so there may be a short term opportunity there.

 

[jrobin]

How to Look for Lower Cost Lower SC Good Value Fares

... the issue at hand within this thread is about YUPP fares and maximising SC return per $ spent.

As of this week, I expect to need 200SC's by September 30 to retain SG. As of now I have no flying planned before September, so I am considering a status run out of YYZ or BUF (DTW or YKF could also work). Dates I am looking at are April 25-27 weekend, but other dates are possible also.Thanks to all the advice here, I have found some good value routes, but all are between $900-1100 and earn far more than 200 SC's.
Example: BUF(A)ORD(A)MIA(I)SJU(I)MIA(A)ORD(A)BUF $1084 480SC $2.26/SC
Other routes I have tried have produced 380 SC's for $999, 300SC's for $949, but nothing in the $500 for 200SC range.Any ideas out of YYZ, BUF or DTW?Or suggestions for other airports I should consider starting from for lower fare options? I could use points to get there.

 

[Hvr]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

You have been as efficient as possible as AA do not have any F sectors down to the Caribbean.

Actually with the AA merger there are F seats from PHL-SJU, you can actually do the run in a day.

 

[Grooba]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

Actually with the AA/United tie up there are F seats from PHL-SJU, you can actually do the run in a day.

Yep as per serfty's post back on the 10th.

 

[Grooba]

Re: How to Look for Lower Cost Lower SC Good Value Fares

As of this week, I expect to need 200SC's by September 30 to retain SG. As of now I have no flying planned before September, so I am considering a status run out of YYZ or BUF (DTW or YKF could also work). Dates I am looking at are April 25-27 weekend, but other dates are possible also.Thanks to all the advice here, I have found some good value routes, but all are between $900-1100 and earn far more than 200 SC's.Example: $1084 for 460 SC'sBUF(A)ORD(A)MIA(I)SJU(I)MIA(A)ORD(A)BUF $1084 480SC $2.26/SCOther routes I have tried have produced 380 SC's for $999, 300SC's for $949, but nothing in the $500 for 200SC range.Any ideas out of YYZ, BUF or DTW?Or suggestions for other airports I should consider starting from for lower fare options? I could use points to get there.

Looking prices ex-DTW you could go DTW-CLT-SJU for $435 ai as a one way then return in Y for $196 making 210SC for about $630.

Wouldn't be much fun on the Y legs but almost meets your budget for the SC's required.

 

[drewbles]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

You have been as efficient as possible as AA do not have any F sectors down to the Caribbean.

Technically, they have none. All the MIA-Carribbean flights are in J (for AA).

And I hear LAS is a lovely place to start

 

[serfty]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

250 SC's for USD808.

YYZ-(I)-xORD-(A)-MIA on 25th AM For 160 SC's @USD427.
MIA-(I)-YYZ on 25th PM for 90 SC @USD381.

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240 SC's for USD781

BUF-(P)-xORD-(P)-STL-(P)-xORD-(P)-BUF @USD781

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Did I mention YYZ/BUF suck for these things

 

[Grooba]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

Did I mention YYZ/BUF suck for these things

Absolutely! I've been trying to work BUF into a YUP for years without any luck.

 

[Fifa]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

I am finding that it is much harder to get multi city flights for the same cost as the last few years.
I'm not travelling til October but flights appear to be more expensive for less SCs.

 

[serfty]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

I have been researching some June flights for the last month and have found that the cheaper availability often does not happen until 90 day before the flights. So you may need to consider delaying booking your October flights until July.

Have a look at Flights - Google Search.

Select one-way, First from JFK to MCO.

Then after it refreshes, select AA.

Click on the date Icon and see a calendar of prices, as well (if you wait a few seconds) a graph showing the cheapest fares over a two month period.Drill down and these are normally one or two segment routes.

Also, it seems the USair pricing is starting to infiltrate. (I had to deal with this for several years with USair in my quest for *G with AirNZ).

The routes are there but you need both the Upgrade fare basis and P or A available.

e.g. for an SA14ERP1 fare you need both S and P availability on the same route to book. The P may be there but often the S isn't.

Fire up ITA and look.


JFK-MCO for USD257 (90 SC's)
JFK/LGA-xMIA-MCO for USD377 (150 SC's)
JFK-xORD-xMIA-MCO for USD456 (270 SC's)

 

[Fifa]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

I have been researching some June flights for the last month and have found that the cheaper availability often does not happen until 90 day before the flights. So you may need to consider delaying booking your October flights until July.

Thank you so much serfty.
I'll hang in there, keep checking and hope something cheaper comes up.
Last year I got SFO-LAX-LAS-ORD-MIA-SJU-MIA-ORD-LAS-LAX-SFO for US$919 and 840 SC.

But after 3 visits we're getting a bit sick of San Juan and think we'll fork out some extra $$$ and go to Barbados for a week this time.

(A few years ago we also got a good deal to St Kitts).

 

[Hvr]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

Is anybody else having problems booking AA tickets at the moment?

I booked one last night and when I tried my second ticket it was declined and asked me to call the US phone number.

Not a problem with my card, I've spoken to the bank.

Have tried again this morning but same error.

Looked at prices via the Australian site and they are about $3,0000 higher!

 

[serfty]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

Is anybody else having problems booking AA tickets at the moment?

...!

If there is a general problem, it's only recent - paid for a fare on Monday using Oz address with 03197 postcode* (Mastercard).

Used "el Segundo" 10 days ago with an Amex.

* Carrum Vic, 3197

 

[Jean Prouvaire]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

I booked one last night and when I tried my second ticket it was declined and asked me to call the US phone number.

Try leaving the zip code (post code) field blank when filling out your address - that might be the source of the problem.

 

[Hvr]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

And now working properly, just booked my final two set of fights.

No idea what happened but am happy it worked.

 

[QF029]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

I'll be based in NYC for the month of June (with plenty of spare time) and currently researching options for 1120 SC's which will give me WP for 23 months plus SG for another 12. I'm expecting to position to SJU and then to HNL return via the scenic route which is over $2k all up. If anyone knows of better options, I'd love to hear them.

 

[gbetox]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

I've booked a DCA/ORD/MIA/AUA/xMIA/ORD/DCA run for October: -$USD 1,110 and +540 SC. I'm not sure this is the best I can get, but it's convenient for me.

For paying, I entered my Australian address and Australian credit card, leaving the zip code blank.