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In the case of the loyalty packages of the “large three” carriers in the USA, I are inclined to assume that American AAdvantage presents essentially the most worth when redeeming miles for worldwide premium cabin journey, each by way of accomplice airways and redemption charges.
There are many markets the place American AAdvantage has one of the best pricing for award journey amongst oneworld packages, whereas I’d argue the identical can’t be mentioned for Delta SkyMiles for SkyTeam awards, and United MileagePlus for Star Alliance awards.
On this publish I needed to share a few of my favourite makes use of of American Airways AAdvantage miles. I’ll focus totally on awards originating in the USA, however I’ll additionally checklist another candy spots.
Whereas American traditionally isn’t nice about making moderately priced premium award seats out there by itself flights, there are some improbable accomplice airline award alternatives, that are my favourite methods to make use of AAdvantage miles.
I feel that is particularly helpful within the context of the present restricted time bonus we’re seeing on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard® (overview). The cardboard is at present providing a bonus of 75,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $3,500 inside 4 months. The cardboard’s $99 annual charge is even waived for the primary 12 months. I can’t emphasize sufficient how good of a price that is, in the event you’re eligible.
Greatest makes use of of American Airways miles
Not like Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus, American AAdvantage continues to publish an award chart for journey on accomplice airways. Beneath is what American AAdvantage’s award chart seems like for first & enterprise class redemptions originating within the continental United States on accomplice airways (and you need to usually be redeeming your miles on accomplice airways every time potential anyway, provided that they typically have superior inflight merchandise).
|
Contiguous 48 U.S. To: |
Enterprise Class |
First Class |
|---|---|---|
|
Contiguous 48 U.S. States |
25,000 |
50,000 |
|
Canada & Alaska |
30,000 |
55,000 |
|
Hawaii |
55,000 |
80,000 |
|
Caribbean |
25,000 |
50,000 |
|
Mexico |
25,000 |
50,000 |
|
Central America |
25,000 |
50,000 |
|
South America Zone 1 |
30,000 |
55,000 |
|
South America Zone 2 |
57,500 |
85,000 |
|
Europe |
57,500 |
85,000 |
|
Center East / India |
70,000 |
115,000 |
|
Africa |
75,000 |
120,000 |
|
Asia Zone 1 |
60,000 |
80,000 |
|
Asia Zone 2 |
70,000 |
110,000 |
|
South Pacific |
80,000 |
110,000 |
Whereas we’re at it, I also needs to point out:
With that out of the way in which, beneath are my favourite makes use of of American AAdvantage miles, in no explicit order.
Enterprise class to the Center East & India (70,000 miles)
One space the place American AAdvantage miles proceed to be among the many Most worthy is for journey to the Center East & India. Per American’s award chart, this area contains every part from India to the Maldives to Oman to Sri Lanka. There’s a lot magnificence on this space, and it’s someplace that’s in any other case powerful to get to on miles.
Better of all, American companions with each Etihad and Qatar, and each of them have glorious enterprise class merchandise. You can too fly Royal Jordanian, however the provider’s enterprise class isn’t fairly nearly as good.
All three airways launch an excellent quantity of award availability, particularly if reserving upfront.
I’d notice that Etihad and Qatar are inconsistent about releasing award area. Generally they open up tons of area upfront. Different instances they don’t have any area for months at a time, after which out of the blue there’s availability most days. There’s undoubtedly worth in locking in awards upfront, particularly since you may cancel them at no cost.
Enterprise class to Africa (75,000 miles)
That is an extension of the above idea of going to the Center East. Africa is without doubt one of the hardest continents to get to utilizing miles, and with Etihad and Qatar you doubtlessly have some nice entry.
Whilst you may fly to Africa on British Airways or Iberia, that will imply you’d must pay gas surcharges. As an alternative I like to recommend flying Etihad and Qatar, which have nice merchandise and fly to a lot of factors in Africa.
Whether or not you’re flying to South Africa or Tanzania or Kenya or Rwanda, there are glorious choices. Personally my favourite alternative is Qatar Airways, and a few years in the past I redeemed 75,000 miles to fly one-way from Cape City to Dallas.
Royal Air Maroc is now additionally a oneworld member, so you should use American miles to fly to Morocco and past on the nationwide provider. Thankfully American considers Morocco to be Europe for the needs of award pricing, so that you’d pay solely 57,500 AAdvantage miles for a one-way enterprise class award between the USA and Morocco (which is honest, given what a brief flight it’s).
Enterprise class to Asia 2 (70,000 miles)
Two of my favourite oneworld airways are Cathay Pacific and Japan Airways, and each are fairly good about releasing enterprise class award availability. For simply 70,000 miles one-way you may fly enterprise class between the USA and Asia 2, which incorporates China, Singapore, Thailand, and many others.
Cathay Pacific and Japan Airways are each nice about making award seats out there as quickly because the schedule turns into bookable. Each airways additionally launch extra award seats because the departure date approaches, assuming there are unsold seats.
First-class to Asia 1 (80,000 miles)
American Airways final devalued the accomplice AAdvantage award chart in 2016, and with that, this system largely adjusted the redemption “candy spot” from first-class to enterprise class. Prior to those modifications I virtually all the time redeemed American miles for worldwide first-class, whereas that’s not the case anymore. The way in which I see it, many first-class redemptions aren’t as worthwhile anymore:
- Redeeming 85,000 miles for first-class to Europe is hardly value it, since American traditionally doesn’t launch a lot area, and award journey on British Airways is subjected to very large provider imposed surcharges
- Redeeming 110,000 miles for first-class to Asia 2 on Cathay Pacific is steep, particularly when you may guide that very same award with a stopover by means of Alaska Mileage Plan for 70,000 miles
- Redeeming 110,000 miles for first-class to Australia on Qantas is pricey, to not point out the award is without doubt one of the hardest to snag; once I see Qantas award availability I choose to guide by means of Alaska Mileage Plan, as this system fees simply 70,000 miles for a similar award, and permits a free stopover
With that in thoughts, the one worldwide first-class redemption originating in the USA that I contemplate to be a very whole lot these days is flying to Asia 1 (which incorporates Japan) on Japan Airways. The airline has a superb first-class product, and redeeming 80,000 miles for first-class on a 13 hour flight is a superb deal.
The catch is that Japan Airways isn’t constant about releasing award availability in first-class. The airline typically releases a seat when the schedule opens, however in any other case your greatest odds are to guide nearer to the departure date, as JAL typically opens extra availability. I understand that’s not excellent for these hoping to guide upfront, or these touring as a pair.
American first & enterprise class flight awards
Whereas AAdvantage continues to publish an award chart for journey on accomplice airways, this system now has totally dynamic award pricing for journey on American. American doesn’t launch a lot award availability that’s additionally bookable by means of accomplice packages (usually known as “saver” availability), although the airline does typically have moderately priced lengthy haul first & enterprise class flight awards by means of AAdvantage.
The pricing for these flight awards can range considerably, however there’s doubtlessly big worth available, with costs which are cheaper than you’d discover if touring on a accomplice airline.
Simply to drag up some examples, you could possibly fly between the USA and Europe in American first-class for 75,000 AAdvantage miles, or in American enterprise class for 65,000 AAdvantage miles.
You might fly between the USA and South America in American first-class for 60,000 AAdvantage miles, or in American enterprise class for 50,000 AAdvantage miles.
You might fly between the USA and the Center East in American first-class for 75,000 AAdvantage miles, or in American enterprise class for 65,000 AAdvantage miles.
Be aware that you simply’ll virtually all the time discover one of the best worth for connecting itineraries. American normally costs considerably larger if touring nonstop, whereas a connection may drastically decrease the award price. Moreover, notice that almost all of those low cost awards can’t be booked along with an award on a accomplice airline.
Nice award values between different areas
Above I’m specializing in redemption values to & from the USA. That’s as a result of a majority of OMAAT readers dwell in the USA, in order that’s going to be essentially the most sensible for a lot of. Nonetheless, I did wish to spotlight another improbable award values between different areas, as that is typically the place you’ll discover essentially the most worth.
Simply to present some examples of different nice values:
- You possibly can fly between the Center East and Asia 1 or Asia 2 for simply 40,000 AAdvantage miles in enterprise class; this might embody a 10-hour flight in enterprise class on Qatar Airways or Etihad
- You possibly can fly between the Center East and Europe for simply 42,500 AAdvantage miles in enterprise class or 62,500 AAdvantage miles in first-class; this is also used for a flight on Qatar Airways or Etihad
- You possibly can fly between the South Pacific and Asia 1 or Asia 2 for simply 40,000 AAdvantage miles in enterprise class; you could possibly use this for a 10-hour flight on Japan Airways, Qantas, Fiji Airways, or Air Tahiti Nui
- You possibly can fly between Asia 1 and Asia 2 for simply 30,000 AAdvantage miles in enterprise class; this might embody fairly an extended flight between Japan and Southeast Asia
These are only a few examples, but when something, you’ll discover the worth with redeeming AAdvantage miles outdoors of North America is even higher.
The most effective methods to earn American AAdvantage miles
In the event you’re seeking to earn American AAdvantage miles for oneworld redemptions, there are many methods to amass these miles, past crediting flights to this system:
Backside line
Of the “large three” carriers in the USA, I are inclined to assume the American AAdvantage program has essentially the most useful award redemption alternatives, particularly for somebody with a diversified mileage portfolio. There are all types of awards the place American has one of the best redemption values, particularly for journey to the Center East, Africa, India, and many others.
On prime of that, American has no change or cancelation charges for awards, which supplies members a lot of flexibility when locking in awards. Hopefully the above is a few inspiration for the subsequent time that you simply’re planning an journey.
What are your favourite methods to redeem American AAdvantage miles?