Different Ways You Can Use Your Frequent Flyer Miles
You
can earn miles - and redeem them - for services and product
other than flying. AAdvantage members can earn miles at more
than 1,300 participating companies, which include more than
35 hotel chains that represent more than 75 brands, 30 airlines,
eight car-rental companies and about 25 major financial companies.
AAdvantage members can visit AA.com www.aa.com
for a full list of partners.
Be
sure to examine airline alliance programs. American is a member
of the oneworld Alliance, which allows passengers to earn
and redeem AAdvantage miles with participating airlines. The
combination of AAdvantage participant airlines can take members
to more than 880 destination throughout the world.
Look
into alternative ways airlines might have for you to accrue
miles. American offers several special programs to earn miles:
-
buyAAmiles
program - Members can purchase up to 25,000 AAdvantage miles
per member per calendar year. If a member is close to reaching
an award, the buyAAmiles program let's them purchase the
miles needed to reach the goal and claim the award.
-
giftAAmiles program - Looking for the perfect gift, or a
unique way to reward employees or customers? With the giftAAmiles
program, members can give up to 25,000 AAdvantage miles,
per calendar year. The giftAAmiles program lets AAdvantage
members give the gift of travel to those who matter most
to them or reward those who most deserve it
-
shareAAmiles
program - AAdvantage members now can share their miles with
family and friends. Use the shareAAmiles program to transfer
up to 60,000 miles and receive up to 15,000 miles, per calendar
year.
Attain
"elite" status in frequent-flyer programs, such
as with AAdvantage Executive Platinum and AAdvantage Platinum.
With elite membership comes benefits such as upgrades and
expedited airport check-in.
To qualify for AAdvantage Gold membership, customers must
earn 25,000 qualifying points or fly at least 25,000 qualifying
miles or 30 qualifying segments during the calendar year (January
1 through December 31).
To
qualify for AAdvantage Platinum membership, members must earn
50,000 qualifying points or fly 50,000 qualifying miles or
60 qualifying segments during the calendar year (January 1
through December 31)
To
qualify for AAdvantage Executive Platinum membership, members
must earn 100,000 qualifying points or 100,000 qualifying
miles during the calendar year (January 1 through December
31).
Effective
March 2004, American began offering its AAdvantage members:
-
All
AAdvantage members can enjoy the benefits of upgraded service
for less. Prices on 500-mile electronic upgrades are $25
via AA.com or $30 at the airport or through reservations
-
Complimentarily
upgrades on all published fares for Executive
Platinum members
-
One of the easiest ways to earn AAdvantage miles is by simply
booking travel online.
-
Earn
1,000 bonus miles by using AA.com
-
Manage
AAdvantage accounts online
-
Utilize
Hot Spots to learn more about when to use MilesAAver Awards
-
Engage
the Mileage Maximizer to uncover additional mile earning
opportunities
Maximizing
AAdvantage Miles for Travel
Travel during "off-peak" times. The major airport
"hubs" tend to get more crowded during the "peak"
traveling times (early morning, late afternoon). Try to travel
during off-peak times (mid-morning through early afternoon
or in the evening) from Monday through Thursday.
Whether
you book online at AA.com or another travel site, use a travel
agent or redeem your AAdvantage frequent flier miles, it is
imperative to book as far in advance as possible to get the
best deals on flights, hotels and rental cars to the destination
you desire. During the summer months, popular flights sell
out early.
AAnytime
Awards - Available "anytime, anyplace, anywhere"
there is a vacant seat, carry no restrictions, such as limited
seat availability or travel embargo dates. They are the equivalent
of full-fare airline tickets. AAnytime Awards can be redeemed
by calling 1-800-882-8880.
MilesAAver
Awards - These awards provide you with an economical alternative,
if you can make your reservation in advance, but are subject
to special limitations on seating availability and to certain
travel embargo dates. MilesAAver Awards can be redeemed by
calling 1-800-882-8880.
American
recently eliminated the $100 fee for changes to date and/or
time on MilesAAver award tickets
Customers
can stand by at the airport for an earlier or later flight
on the same day they are ticketed to travel, at no additional
charge
Because
American manages its seat inventory based on ever-changing
customer demand, MileSAAver award seats for a specific flight
may become available at any time up until departure. So, if
you're trying to book MileSAAver award seats on a popular
flight or at a peak time, you may want to check AA.com frequently.
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