AAdvantage - American Airlines' reward program - so confused!

[jme5343]

Is there a Rosetta stone I'm supposed to use in order to redeem these points?

Trying to plan a vacation for 4/13 to 4/21 or so (can go a day either way). Do NOT care where it is, as long as there's a beach and warm water - which pretty much means somewhere on the gulf. Flying out of JFK is most likely since that's a hub.

I have 43,000 pts and $310 credit, plus a companion pass good for a companion if I spend over $300 on a flight. So, using these numbers, I figure I would like to fly four people for the price of one. Two are young kids, so you give up some flexibility with different flights / times since we pretty much need to stick together (so one person can't fly into FLL and one into MIA)

Problem is, I have to book the companion pass on the phone, and from what I've read, they upcharge you a couple hundred bucks. Fine, so be it.

Then, the challenge is to find a frequent flyer miles flight that matches that flight.

Then, to book a regular flight with the credits that matches the two flights above.

Is there some kind of online tool that does all the leg work for me? Heck, I'd even pay for it.

 

[corwin]

With all the funky ways you're looking to get flights I doubt there's anything that can help you...best bet would be to find a flight that you can use your miles on for 2 tickets (if that's possible, don't think you have enough miles to do 2) then use the credit to get another one and use the companion ticket with it.

 

[tynopik]

might want to check on flyertalk.com

that's were the real pro frequent-flyers hang-out

 

[alkemyst]

QFT flyertalk...but I don't think you are going to have a lot of luck trying to fly 4 for a 2 deal.

 

[Windogg]

Expertflyer.com will let you browse available inventory. 25,000 mile MileSaver fares can be tough to find so flexiblity helps. +1 on FlyerTalk

 

[jme5343]

Thanks folks, I opted to just buy 4 tix outright and save my points for now.