REVIEW: American Airlines Embraer 175 – Business Class (AXA-MIA) & Bulkhead/Main Cabin Extra (MIA-AXA)

This is part review for the aircraft but also highlights why elite status with American Airlines has been so fantastic for me. Travel hacking isn’t just using points and miles to fly for cheaper but I employ it also to make the travel experience better. And also to make trips a reality – Anguilla was only on the table for me with having my stay covered with a combination of Hilton Free Night Rewards + Hilton points and this flight being such a great points deal

For more info on my Anguilla trip check out these posts: Trip Report (accounting post with spend (cash, points, miles) and savings info), Anguilla travel guide, review of Zemi Beach House and the recap with full details of the trip!

FLIGHTS INFO

HOW I BOOKED 

*While the bookings were from/to DEN, I am not including those flights in this review.

HOW TO EARN THE POINTS FOR REDEMPTION

AMERICAN AIRLINE TRANSFER PARTNERS: NONE

CREDIT CARDS: You can earn 60,000 AA miles with just ONE purchase and paying the $99 annual fee with the Barclays card.

_{Beautiful Tip: While I love that many more people are now in the miles + points games, a basic econ principle has started to come into play. Inflation happens when too many people with too much money (or in this case (miles and points) are trying to buy too few goods (award redemptions). AA miles are incredibly valuable since they are harder to come by (ie no transfer partners is a big one here) and why you can get such great deals (points AND taxes/fees being reasonable)}.

HOW LOYALTY PAYS OFF

I have AA Executive Platinum elite status (which was completely a result of travel hacking!) – that has paid off for me big time. At booking, I am able to choose main cabin extra seats and saved $182 ($48, $40, $52 and $42 on my four flights, respectively).

On this trip, I was upgraded on three of the four flights and these were complimentary due to status. My DEN-MIA upgrade cleared before check in opened for the flight (probably around 26-28 hours before departure), the AXA-MIA flight was cleared by the gate agent about 45 mins prior to boarding and on my MIA-DEN flight, the upgrade cleared while I was on the plane. The value of those upgrades was $920 (based on what AA was selling the individual upgrades for)

My elite status also allowed for complimentary AA lounge access since I was flying internationally.

In total: AA elite status saved me $1,152 (including $25 for the meals at the lounges)

CHECK IN/SECURITY

Some great perks when having status are the extras that help make the entire flying experience better, smoother and more luxurious.  

I always try to check in online and get mobile boarding passes but that wasn’t an option for the AXA-MIA flight (no electronic boarding passes are accepted at AXA) So I had to go to the counter at Anguilla’s airport. I was able to bypass the long economy line and head straight to the business & one world emerald/sapphire line. There was no one else in this line so I was promptly greeted and checked in.

Elite status also entitles you to a higher baggage allowance with increased number of bags and weight limits. For example, my AA status (Executive Platinum) allows for three checked bags up to 32 kg/70.5 lb each.

Another AA elite status perk is that you are able to use priority security. Actually I rarely use these as they often do not have TSA PreCheck screening so I will use those and Clear lines to bypass the craziness of the normal security lines.

AXA: the airport is really small, so security was a breeze. Unfortunately flying and connecting through MIA was atrocious and there was no TSA PreCheck/clear/priority security lines and it took nearly an hour (including the long walk from the gate).

LOUNGE ACCESS

MIA – unfortunately AA only allows for access to the Admirals Club lounge when flying to the Caribbean (Executive Platinum/one world emerald status gets me into the nicer/first class lounges if I am not in the US even on an economy ticket!)

Even a crowded lounge is preferable than having to wait at the gate during layovers especially when the (average tasting) food is okay.

I did get to have avocado toast and had a great runway view so life really isn’t too shabby.

CABIN CONFIGURATION/SEAT:

E175 Business Cabin

AA’s E175 business class cabin has twelve seats in a 1-2 configuration. Seats are 20″ wide and arranged to a 36″ pitch (but as you will see below that I had significantly more room in my bulkhead seat on this flight). Note that overhead bins can accommodate 22″ bags on both sides of the main cabin but only on the starboard (right) side only of the business cabin

While the flight is international, there were no amenities such as a travel kit provided (but I have also never received one on a 3 -5 hour long domestic flight even in first class.

Main Cabin Extra

Twenty seats located in rows 8 to 13, configured 2-2, and measure 18″ wide, arranged to a 34″ pitch. Row 8 has an additional 2″ of legroom. Note: as there is a shallow fabric screen suspended from the overhead locker and not a full bulkhead, the footwells at row 8 extend beneath the row 4 seats (which is why 8F is my second favorite seat on most planes as I can store my back pack there)

Main Cabin

Forty-four seats located in rows 14 to 23, configured 2-2, and measure 18″ wide, arranged to a 30″ pitch.

IFE/WIFI

No in flight entertainment as there are no seat back screens.

I think Wi-fi was available but I forgot to check so obviously have no idea about pricing and speeds – this is the hard part for me. I am so social that I normally end up in conversation with row mates so I neglect things like taking photos and noting information…

FOOD/DRINK

For the MIA-AXA flight, it was the standard choice of a snack (biscoff cookies or pretzels) and a soda. Note for those who may get peckish/hangry for that flight to plan ahead by eating at the airport/packing snacks which check and check for me as I am that aforementioned person.

Protein box: the Gouda cheese spread is incredible and I want to buy it in bulk.

FLIGHT EXPERIENCE 

MIA-AXA: This was only my second flight that I wasn’t upgraded with AA but I wasn’t offered a complimentary beverage (main cabin extra perk) nor snack box (Executive Platinum status perk). I didn’t inquire about either as it wasn’t a big deal as I had eaten in the lounge prior to the flight.

AXA-MIA: The crew was incredibly entertaining and it was a fun flight (which I would have only been able to say about a few Southwest flights). Service was prompt including the snack/meal service.

OVERALL IMPRESSION 

Embraer planes are a favorite for some since they are set up in a 2-2 fashion with all seats either a window or aisle seat, but I am ambivalent about the plane. It was fine. If I had paid for the business class flight (either in points or cash), I would not have thought it was worth it and probably would be upset with myself for that choice. But that’s what is so great about having status – it was free! And that flight was really great because the crew was so funny and engaging. And I was able to get to Anguilla and have a very relaxing (and luxe) vacation without having to spend a lot of money…which is what matters the most at the end of the day.