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AA Is Selling Its Best Business Class Seat as Economy

JT Genter
JT Genter
Contributor
JT is a location-independent digital nomad traveling 250,000+ miles each year with his wife Katie.
Oct. 03, 2016
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4 min read
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AA Is Selling Its Best Business Class Seat as Economy
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Due to scheduling or positioning needs, American Airlines will periodically fly internationally configured aircraft on domestic routes. Since most of the airline's international aircraft only have two cabins, AA will sell the international business class cabin as domestic first class — leaving the economy cabin as economy.

Update 10/6/16: In addition to the two flights already listed, below are all of the available flights where American Airlines is selling the 777-300ER business-class cabin as part of Main Cabin Extra:

ToFromFlight #DateDepartArrive
DFWMIA14124-Nov15:2019:01
MIADFW96911-Nov11:0513:18
DFWMIA141211-Nov15:2019:01
DFWMIA142520-Nov16:2520:10
MIADFW230521-Nov7:059:20
DFWLAX247726-Nov19:1520:42
DFWMIA233626-Nov6:2510:05
MIAORD24226-Nov12:1314:27
ORDDFW233926-Nov16:3019:02
LAXDFW240627-Nov0:225:24
DFWLAX247724-Dec19:1520:42

Most of AA's internationally configured three-cabin aircraft are flown on transcontinental routes, where it's logical for AA to sell three distinct cabins. Every once in a while, you'll "luck out" and get an un-refurbished three-cabin AA 777-200 on a domestic route. Since the business class product on this aircraft is quite sub-par, American Airlines wisely sells the business class cabin as part of economy.

Best of all, these seats aren't even designated as Main Cabin Extra. This means that anyone with an economy class ticket can experience the epitome of a business class product — that is, the best business class product from the early 1990s. These angle-flat seats are certainly better than any American Airlines economy seat you'd get, but it's nothing worth changing plans to experience.

This weekend, we noticed a much more appealing option. Starting October 8, American Airlines is flying a 777-300ER (77W) between New York's JFK and Miami (MIA). Unfortunately, there aren't many options: there are flights every Saturday and Sunday through October 30 and then every Sunday in November.

A window seat in AA's 777-300ER business class cabin.

On this route, the small eight-seat first class cabin is being sold as first class, but the 52-seat top-notch business class product is being sold as economy. That's right, you can experience the best American Airlines business class seat for the price of a regular coach ticket. For dates starting October 29, this price is just $133 one-way.

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I pity the fool that chooses the standard Main Cabin Extra seats rather than business class!

However, for those without status, you're going to have to pay the reasonable Main Cabin Extra price of $37 to select these seats — however, this is a small price to pay to experience one of the best business class hard products in the skies.

American Airlines Gold elites will be charged 50% less to choose these MCE seats anytime before check-in — or you'd be able to pick them for free if any still remain at check-in. AA Platinum and Executive Platinum members can choose these Main Cabin Extra seats for free anytime before departure.

Are you planning to fly the 77W between New York and Miami?

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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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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.
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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    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.

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.