AAdvantage, does it pass the test?
Written: Nov 19 '02 (Updated Nov 20 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: very little black out days for award travel
Cons: Terrible elite program, not many ways to redeem miles
The Bottom Line: American's program is nothing exciting. Go with it if you want award travel.
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| airliner69's Full Review: American AAdvantage |
I used the AAdavantage program for about 4 years and currently I am a gold elite but hardly ever use my elite card as Northwest is now my airline of choice because of their good elite benefits. Here are my experiences with American.
Elite program:
Their elite program is one of the worst in the airline business. Like other airlines, American has 3 elite levels. Gold, Platinum, and Executive Platinum. It takes 25,000 miles in 1 caldendar year to earn gold, 50,000 for Platinum, and 100,000 for Executive Platinum. Gold's receive upgrades 1 day prior to departure and 25% mileage bonus for actual miles flown, Platinum's 3 and 100% mileage bonus, and Executive's 4 and 100% mileage bonus as well. These bonuses are not very generous as Northwest and Continental give 50% to their lowest level, 100% to the second level, and 125% to the third level. Upgrades are subject to availablity but I cant recall one time when I didnt receive it on an American flight. You also have the right to upgrade from any fare(excluding priceline and hotwire fares). Keep in mind these upgrades are NOT free. On American you must purchase or earn upgrades, unlike Northwest, and Continental.
This is how the American elite upgrade system works. You may buy or earn upgrade stickers that can be used towards upgrades. Each sticker is worth 500 miles. For example say I am flying from Seattle-New York(non-stop). Its about 2400 miles. This means it would cost 5 stickers(500x5=2500), enough for the upgrade. These "stickers" can also be earned. If you fly 10,000 miles while you have your elite card, 4 stickers are transfered into your account. You may also purchase upgrades for $45 dollars each and about $30 if you buy 8 or more. All levels are also allowed to a companion upgrade as well, using the same guidelines. Their is only 1 exception. Executive Platinums gets 8 one way upgrade certificates upon qualification.
These upgrades and elite upgrades are only valid for flights within the 50 US and bermuda. Those upgrade certificates as well as elite upgrades are only valid on American and American Eagle flights and NOT on any of the OneWorld partners, such as Cathay Pacific, Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Finnair, Lanchile, and Qantas Airways. Mileage earned on most of these partners DOES count towards elite qualification though. You are also allowed First/Business class check in for their partners and select seating in coach.
Elites are also intitled to other things such as first class check-in, pre boarding, and exit row and bulkhead seating on American. These elite benefits don't match up to other airlines benefits like Continental and Northwest. These airlines offer free upgrades without the use of stickers.
Award Travel-
This is the most valuable privelage from AAdvantage in my opinion. Their are few blackout days, except for holidays and peak times. For regular travel their are many different flights and times to choose from. My 2 sisters and mother are currently in the AAdvantage program. 1 of my sisters currently goes to college in New York. My mother, who has over 100,000 miles with American, buys her many award tickets to come home to Seattle for breaks and such. My mother usually send my sister an award ticket. She was always able to find avaliability on the non-stop flight, even at times when it was full. Most standard award tickets cost 25,000 miles. If your interested in Award Travel I recommend this program highly.
Other ways to redeem and earn mileage-
To tell you the truth, their isnt a whole lot you can do with miles on American except for redeeming for free tickets. You can redeem miles for elite upgrade stickers. They also have a buyAAmiles program. This program allows you to purchase miles without actually flying them. You can buy up to 15,000 miles. This can be helpful especially if you need just a few more miles for an award. Note, these miles do not count towards elite status.
Promotions-
Currently, American does not have any big mileage promotions at this time. You can, however, earn 1,000 bonus for booking at their webiste, www.aa.com. They also have Citibank miles credit cards (which my mother currently holds). You get 7,500 miles for signing up for that and for every dollar you get 1 mile. They also have At&T as their phone partner. You get 5,000 miles for signing up for local and long distance calling. For wireless phones, AT&T also gives 5,000 for every phone you activate with them. You have a limit of 5 so that can add up to 25,000, a free ticket! Check periodically for other mileage promotions they may have in the future. Usually they dont have any good mileage promotions.
Partners-
American has many international partners. They are part of the OneWorld Alliance. This alliance is with, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Lanchile, Finnair, Aer Lingus, and Qantas Airways. For most of the these partners you can earn mileage that counts towards elite status from any fare purchased. They also have partnerships with, Alaska Airlines, and El Al Israeli Airlines. Although they have partnerships with Alaska they are not partnered with any major US airline, like the Continental and Northwest alliance. If you have any specific questions about Americans partners, visit their website at www.aa.com or call them at 1800-882-8880. Or I can try to answer it. My E-mail is NorthwestAir987@aol.com.
Conclusion-
If you are a business traveler (like me) who is looking for good elite benefits I say go to Continental or Northwest's program. If you want award travel, go with the aadvantage program. Bottom line, the aadvantage program is really nothing special.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
airliner69
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Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 3 members
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