Booked domestic transcon first class with Avios. Then rebooked in economy, still saving $900 in the process.

  • LAX-DCA AA F for 43k+$10 Avios via Qatar (cash $800), 3 people, D-6 -> cancelled
  • LAX-DCA AA Y for 11k+$5 Avios via Finnair (cash $450), 2 people, D-3 -> flown
  • Return flight in cash

My mother recently had a major spinal surgery and has been in recovery for a few weeks now. During labor day weekend, we had to urgently travel from LAX to DCA. She was unsure whether the travel would be okay given her recent surgery. Her doctor said it was okay. I thought we could ease her worry if we booked it in first class, and luckily found some D-6 in AA first with Qatar Avios! A Friday 9am flight! Booked LAX-DCA for three at 43k Avios+$10 pp, for $800 tickets. Also found that Alaska was running lowered first class prices, and booked return flights in frst at $730 pp.

Then we had a sudden change of circumstances and had to postpone the trip two weeks. We cancelled, and now we were stuck with a big stash of Alaska flight credits. Mom wanted to drain the credits ASAP. So we booked us the flights again. Then, mom’s health worsened and she had to cancel. We still had to go, so my wife and her sister went to DC.

Unfortunately, there was no AA nor AS partner F availability this time.

We were about to book the crazily overpriced D-4 $450 LAX-DCA oneway Y tickets with Alaska credits, and I said wait a minute.. maybe we can book these for just 11k Avios via Finnair! And there they were, luckily available.

On the return, they are flying AS F with the flight credits. ($850/pp)

We were left with $480 in leftover Alaska credits. I told them we’ll book them the AA Y flights, and we’ll take the leftover Alaska credits for ourselves in exchange. (Since these flight credits belong to my mom.) Combined with an Alaska companion voucher, the credits will cover us for a roundtrip for two to somewhere in Mexico.

Family saved money, and we got ourselves a two-person roundtrip to Mexico for 22k Avios. Everyone is happy.