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Flight Intel


To ensure that Milez.biz users are always well-informed with the latest industry intelligence and our site boasts the most up-to-date data possible, we collect anecdotal material about award flights, organized by destination pairings and frequent flyer program. We’re always looking for the following type of information:
  • What are the fees and surcharges that travelers needed to pay in order to book their award flight?
  • How was the availability of a given route(s) when it came to booking the award flight?
  • Are there tricks that program members used in order to optimize their redemption?
  • Which specific flights were used for the award ticket? Are some flights better than others?
  • How does this award ticket compare to other programs and how does it compare to a ticket bought with cash?
  • Are there specific sweet spots in the award tables that one should try to take advantage of?
  • Are there exceptions to the award tables where our calculations are not accurate?
  • What was your overall experience with a particular award ticket?
  • Was it worth cashing your miles in for a given flight?
Let us know if you have intel you would like to share. We’d also be more than happy to link to your trip reports and sources, too! Click on the "comment" button for any of the miles calculations or email us through the contact page.

Detroit (DTW) to New York (LGA) with Miles from American Airlines AAdvantage [AA only]

According to the Consumer Reports Ultimate Frequent Flyer Guide DTW-LGA is one of the better American Airlines redemption routes, meaning you get good value for your miles and seat availability is good as well (over 23%!).

Consult the Consumer Report chart here

26 June, 2015

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to New York (LGA) with Miles from American Airlines AAdvantage [AA only]

According to the Consumer Reports Ultimate Frequent Flyer Guide Dallas to New York is one of the better American Airlines redemption routes, meaning you get good value for your miles and seat availability is good as well (over 13%).

Consult the Consumer Report chart for the top US routes here

26 June, 2015

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to New York (JFK) with Miles from American Airlines AAdvantage [AA only]

According to the Consumer Reports Ultimate Frequent Flyer Guide Dallas to New York is one of the better American Airlines redemption routes, meaning you get good value for your miles and seat availability is good as well (over 13%).

Consult the Consumer Report chart for the top US routes here

26 June, 2015

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Newark (EWR) with Miles from American Airlines AAdvantage [AA only]

According to the Consumer Reports Ultimate Frequent Flyer Guide Dallas to New York is one of the better American Airlines redemption routes, meaning you get good value for your miles and seat availability is good as well (over 13%).

Consult the Consumer Report chart for the top US routes here

26 June, 2015

Las Vegas (LAS) to New York (JFK) with Miles from American Airlines AAdvantage [AA only]

According to the Consumer Reports Ultimate Frequent Flyer Guide Las Vegas to New York is one of the better American Airlines redemption routes, meaning you get good value for your miles and seat availability is good as well (over 10%).

Consult the Consumer Report chart for the top US routes here

26 June, 2015

Los Angeles (LAX) to New York (JFK) with Miles from American Airlines AAdvantage [AA only]

According to the Consumer Reports Ultimate Frequent Flyer Guide LAX  to JFK is one of the better American Airlines redemption routes, meaning you get good value for your miles and seat availability is good as well (over 20%).

Consult the Consumer Report chart for the top US routes here

26 June, 2015

San Francisco (SFO) to New York (JFK) with Miles from American Airlines AAdvantage [AA only]

According to the Consumer Reports Ultimate Frequent Flyer Guide SFO to JFK is one of the better American Airlines redemption routes, meaning you get good value for your miles and seat availability is good as well (almost 20%).

Consult the Consumer Report chart for the top US routes here

26 June, 2015

Toronto (YYZ) to Zurich (ZRH) with Miles from LifeMiles (Avianca, TACA) / Star Alliance

The fees quoted on the LifeMiles site for the redemption of the YYZ-ZRH-YYZ itinerary are reasonable:

  • USD 162 for economy class tickets
  • USD 183 for business class tickets

8 June, 2015

Vancouver (YVR) to Frankfurt (FRA) with Miles from [OLD] Aeroplan (Air Canada) / Star Alliance

To avoid the high Air Canada and/or Lufthansa surcharges (they can be over CAD 600), try routing through San Francisco (SFO) or Chicago (ORD) with United Airlines (UA) flights. Taxes and surcharges should then be under CAD 200.

29 May, 2015

New York (JFK) to Cleveland (CLE) with Avios from [OLD v2] British Airways Executive Club / oneworld

The direct American Airlines flight from JFK to Cleveland (CLE) does not have premium economy and business seating classes. AA does not offer these on domestic flights.

29 May, 2015