Skip to content
Go to Home Page
Deals

American Selling Its Best Business-Class Seat as Economy From January-April 2017

Dec. 19, 2016
•
6 min read
AABizFeatured
American Selling Its Best Business-Class Seat as Economy From January-April 2017
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Back in October, we alerted you that American Airlines was selling its best business-class seat for the price of the main cabin on certain routes. Given the tremendous interest in that post, we crunched the data to find more examples over the coming months.

Update 12/26/16: The price has dropped on flight 64 from MIA-JFK on February 17. An economy class ticket will cost just $68 one-way:

As a quick recap: Due to scheduling or positioning needs, AA will periodically fly internationally configured aircraft on domestic routes. Since most of the airline’s international aircraft only have two cabins, the airline will sell the international business-class cabin as domestic first class and the economy cabin as economy. But, on three-class cabins like the 777-300ER (77W), American Airlines sells the international business-class seats as part of economy. Even better, this is the best business-class hard product in American's fleet.

Note that you'll need to pay extra to select these Main Cabin Extra seats unless you're an American Airlines Platinum or Executive Platinum elite member. Gold elites are charged 50% of the standard Main Cabin Extra seat price before check-in. Although it's free for Gold elites to choose Main Cabin Extra seats at check-in, I doubt many of these top-notch business-class seats will be left by that point. Also note that aircraft substitutions are possible — since you're purchasing an economy ticket, there's no guarantee you'll get to fly in biz.

Between Miami (MIA) and New York (JFK)

FromToFlight #DateDepartArriveCurrent Price
MIA
JFK
236
1-Jan
9:26
12:14
$459
JFK
MIA
65
1-Jan
15:30
18:59
$137
MIA
JFK
236
9-Jan
9:26
12:15
$137
JFK
MIA
65
9-Jan
15:30
18:57
$68
MIA
JFK
64
17-Feb
13:10
15:56
$128
JFK
MIA
65
17-Feb
15:30
18:59
$224

While this route had a consistent slate of 77W flights in November-December, unfortunately there are only six options over the next four months.

If you're looking forward to trying out this hard product at the cheapest cost, the January 9 flight from JFK to MIA costs just $68 one-way. Even better, almost all of the business-class seats are open on that particular flight.

Fly between New York's JFK and Miami (MIA) for just $68 one-way — with wide-open availability.

Between Miami (MIA) and Dallas (DFW)

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
FromToFlight #DateDepartArriveCurrent Price
MIA
DFW
969
11-Jan
11:05
13:18
$168
MIA
DFW
969
2-Apr
11:05
13:18
$189
DFW
MIA
1412
2-Apr
15:30
19:13
$162

Unfortunately, there are only three flights between these two American Airlines hubs over the next four months.

Between Dallas (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX)

FromToFlight #DateDepartArriveCurrent Price
LAX
DFW
70
1-Jan
8:45
13:50
$226
DFW
LAX
71
1-Jan
16:25
17:52
$226
LAX
DFW
70
2-Jan
8:45
13:50
$226
DFW
LAX
71
2-Jan
16:25
17:52
$286
LAX
DFW
70
3-Jan
8:45
13:50
$385
DFW
LAX
71
3-Jan
16:25
17:52
$286
LAX
DFW
70
4-Jan
8:45
13:50
$499
DFW
LAX
71
4-Jan
16:25
17:52
$286
LAX
DFW
70
5-Jan
8:45
13:50
$286
DFW
LAX
71
5-Jan
16:25
17:52
$189
LAX
DFW
70
6-Jan
8:45
13:50
$189
DFW
LAX
71
6-Jan
16:25
17:52
$189
LAX
DFW
70
7-Jan
8:45
13:50
$138
DFW
LAX
71
7-Jan
16:25
17:52
$175
LAX
DFW
70
8-Jan
8:45
13:50
$138

Although there were only a few options between DFW-LAX in November-December, there are daily flights between these airports from January 1-8. After that, there aren't any options through the end of April 2017.

Other Domestic Routes

Speaking of both LAX and MIA, American also flies the 777-300ER (77W) daily between these airports. However, this transcontinental flight is sold as a three-cabin flight. So, you're going to have to pay for a business-class ticket — or use a few 500-mile upgrades — to get these business-class seats.

Are you planning to fly the 77W on any of these routes?

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.