Consider a London Stopover

Written By Betsy Anderson

With Club this year each Club winner has $3,500 to spend on two(2) airline tickets.  That's a budget of $1750 per ticket.  This can include costs towards a better seat.   

There are some GREAT airfares now for Oneworld flyers who would like to go thru Heathrow.  Consider combining AA with BA and a full day stop-over in London.   Yes, it's a long day, but why not add a destination, if you are up for it??  Many Oneworld flyers want to get those miles on a Oneworld carrier to maximize their status for 2025.   

So how does it work??  

First you must complete your Club registration.  Then Robin will reach out to you.  The main thing is you will need to leave on Thursday night, May 29th.   Most major cities have a real American Airlines flight to London but you can use British Airways Codeshare flights as well.  

Here are a few examples:

Philadelphia to Cape Town (via London).  

  • Depart (5/29) PHL at 10:30PM on AA

    Arrive London at 10:50AM (5/30) 
    12 hour layover - that's enough time to spend a full day to see the sights.  
    Depart London at 10:25PM for Cape Town and arrive at 11:00AM (5/31).  You also get a bonus extra ½ day in Cape Town.  

Phoenix to Cape Town (via London)

  • Depart (5/29) PHX at 6:30PM on AA

    Arrive London at 12:50PM (5/30) 
    9  ½  hour layover 
    Depart London at 10:25PM for Cape Town and arrive at 11:00AM (5/31).  You also get a bonus extra ½ day in Cape Town.  

LAX to Cape Town (via London)

  • Depart (5/29) LAX at 5:10PM on BA
    Arrive London at 11:30AM (5/30) 
    Depart London at 10:25PM for Cape Town and arrive at 11:00AM (5/31).  You also get a bonus extra ½ day in Cape Town.  

 What About my Luggage???

There are several Luggage Storage companies like https://luggagehero.com/london/heathrow/ that you can store your luggage at Heathrow airport for the day.  Just be sure to store your luggage at the terminal you will DEPART FOR CAPE TOWN from to make it easier. 

 So what can I do?  

The fastest way to get into London City Center is to take the Heathrow Express.  The most economical way is to just take the rail, but it's longer.   Once you get to London you can sightsee:  Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, Shopping at Harrods.  You also could skip London and go out to Windsor Castle, very close to Heathrow Airport, cute little town and they also have their own Changing of the Guard (without the Buckingham Palace crowds).   Don't want to do this all on your own?  Consider just hiring a guide for the day to take you around.  They can pick you up at the airport and you are off!!!  

All in all, London is a super easy city to navigate, has wonderful sights and public transportation.   

 

Enjoy and earn those miles!

Betsy Anderson