I have some options on BA metal, but booking through BA direct incurs stupid fees ($3k r/t just PHX-LHR). Wondering if the fees would be the same if I fed the BA itinerary through an AA agent and booked that way?
BA charges fees, AA passes the fees along - to book via an AA agent you need AA miles and its still going to be high in fees. JFK > LHR > JTR in business class for 1 ticket is like $750. That is 1 way, 1 ticket. So round trip yeah about $3k. That is using AA miles to book on BA. If BA metal is involved and its going to Europe (likely through LHR) its going to be expensive with fees.
Long story short - using Avios to book the flight or using AA miles to book the flight, fees will basically be identical.
It may be cheaper to book as two one ways but not sure. BAs fees are higher lax-lhr than for lhr-lax
Thanks for all the tips. Was able to book Emirates (JFK-MXP) in business class outbound and AA/BA biz out of PSA on the return. And still have a bunch of AA/MR miles remaining!