AA Frequent Flyer Miles

[Kauai Kid]

Worthless in my experience. Either the one flight I need 330 days in advance has already been taken or the 45,000 miles to fly to Hawaii has increased to 130,000 miles.

I'm using a card that returns dividends that can be put on a VISA card now.

Sterling

 

[MichaelColey]

It's been tougher and tougher to get the lowest redemption level on all airlines, but we've still had success with AA as long as we plan far enough in advance and are flexible. It's especially tough for us, because we need 5 tickets anytime we go. We actually planned two trips this year, and were able to find 5 Business Class awards at the lowest level for each trip. On one, we had to split up into two groups on different flights, but they ended up having a schedule change/consolidation so we ended up on the same flights anyway.

Another thing we did (with one of them) was to book the outbound flight at 330 days, then wait and book the return flight once the booking window opened up. We ended up booking the return trip several times, putting flights on a 5 day hold, then cancelling and booking one further out, as we saw other stuff opening up. We weren't intending that trip to be as long, but just couldn't resist adding on days (and weeks!). You can't get enough time in Paradise!

But if you have one specific flight that you MUST have, you're over a barrel.

 

[dougp26364]

As soon as USAirways took them over (use to be America West), I knew it would be a downhill slide for AA. We had stopped flying USAirways when it was America West many years ago. We had still been flying AA, even though neither of us have been big fans of transfering flights at DFW (they don't seem to know what airconditioning is in the summer months).

Last December we had the opportunity to fly AA one more time, mainly because they had the only flight times that really worked for us. We found the same old reason with AA that caused us to stop flying America West way back when. NO LEG ROOM. We had even purchased the "extra" leg room version of their seating. What we found was the "extra" leg room was about the same as standard leg room on any other flight. In order to truely have "extra" leg room, we had to move our seats to exit row seating.

They also charge extra for nearly every standard seat that isn't either a middle seat or one of the last rows in the plane. So either you fly at the back of the plane, you pay extra for an isle or window seat or you pay extra for any seat in the forward cabin. A good price on AA compared to other airlines will nearly ALWAYS be mitigated by the extra fee for any seat other than a middle seat or two seats together in the rear of the plane.

And, as you've noted, their frequent flyer miles are all but worthless unless you want to pay full price in miles for your flight. In AA's defense I'm not certain this is a lot different on any other airline with the possible exception of SWA's. Even on UAL, whom we fly more frequently to Hawaii than any other airline, I've all but given up finding saver mile flights to Hawaii on all but the least desirable routes from our home airport.

But the reality is that AA's demise is simply the de-eveloution that's prevelant in the airline industry. As there have become fewer and fewer choices prices have climbed higher, routes have become fewer, planes crammed with more seats and flights are fuller than ever before. Of course the alternative is more compitition, which leads to lower prices, industry losses, airlines going bankrupt and then back to competitors merging with fewer choices and higher prices. So it's the evolution of the industry that will continue to happen. Eventually, as oil prices go back down, we'll see new start ups in the discount carrier sector, more compitition, lower prices and better choices.........until the next round of industry losses and mergers hit.

 

[sjsharkie]

No difference from other domestic airlines in my experience. Unfortunately, most airlines have been restricting award seats to some degree. In my experience, AA has experienced devaluation of miles at a slower rate than others, but they may be making up for it with higher award seat restrictions.

I'm actually happy with airlines that restrict seats for their elite members or those who wish to pay a premium. With upgrades getting harder to come by, there needs to be benefits to those that are loyal to specific carriers. But I realize that sucks for others without elite status.

-ryan

 

[MichaelColey]

I agree with Ryan. No difference from others, sadly. Not as bad as Delta, for sure. (But that's not saying much.)

I'm a Lifetime Platinum with AA, so the seating and nickel and diming are something I forget about. Glad it doesn't affect me.

I was concerned about the US Airways merger, but so far it has seemed like a neutral transition. Not positive. Not negative.

 

[artringwald]

One good use of AA miles is for inter-island flights in Hawaii. It's only 5,000 miles per person per segment. If you book early, you can even get mid-day non-stops that don't go through HNL.

 

[sjsharkie]

I agree with Ryan. No difference from others, sadly. Not as bad as Delta, for sure. (But that's not saying much.)

I'm a Lifetime Platinum with AA, so the seating and nickel and diming are something I forget about. Glad it doesn't affect me.

I was concerned about the US Airways merger, but so far it has seemed like a neutral transition. Not positive. Not negative.

Hey. I'm Lifetime Platinum too!

I have noticed that upgrades are tougher to come by on high-revenue business routes post-merger. I find myself lower on the list for say SFO-JFK than I used to be -- but, that is from a small sample size. I swear half the people on my flight were Exec Plat -- but that is another story.

I'm mostly flying UA now due to travel policy, and it is the same thing with them -- I see very little difference, but am glad I can reserve a premium seat at no charge ahead of check-in.

-ryan

 

[MichaelColey]

I've had a tough time with upgrades for a couple years. It seems like with many business routes, I just miss the cutoff. Many times, I'll start in good shape (like #4 with 6 available seats), but will end up just missing it as others get on the upgrade list. Usually, I'm flying direct, and I know connecting passengers go ahead of direct flyers of the same status (although I've never understood why).

But no worries. First world problems. I'd rather be up front, but am fine in MCE or an exit row.

 

[pwrshift]

Have you ever tried partner airline flights? I split my miles between UA and AA but never fly on them. Instead, because I live in Toronto which is an airline hub for many airlines, I have found that I can use UA miles to get biz class seats on Air Canada much easier than Aeroplan members can. As well, UA miles are good on Lufthansa, Swissair, and more from Toronto with Star Alliance.

Same using AA miles to fly British Airlines. Next month I have biz class from Toronto to Rome (via change of plane in London) and return from Milan 2 weeks later (again via London). Easy to find and get on the AA site while I couldn't find availabilities on AA. AA doesn't have the number of partners that UA does, however.

I have done this since 2005 but admit its getting tougher and costs more miles. Majority of FF miles come from getting Marriott Reward packages of 120,000 miles with 5 or 7 night hotel stays.

Brian

 

[SMHarman]

I'm still liking the earn Avios and burn on aa East Coast short flights including CUN and the Caribbean. Go a long way like that.

 

[Mr. Vker]

I love AA miles. Travel 3-4 vacations/year on them Earning through CC, travel, or Marriott Travel packages.

This year: JFK-HKG-BKK Biz class on Cathay Pacific 2 tix January

Three first class tix to Aruba later this month.

Two first class tix to Cabo in Sept.

Does take some planning and creativity, but I enjoy the challenge finding them and making it work.

They have great value for premium class international travel. The tix above were all at the lowest level. (Thailand booked 10 months out the others about 6.)

 

[sjsharkie]

I've had a tough time with upgrades for a couple years. It seems like with many business routes, I just miss the cutoff. Many times, I'll start in good shape (like #4 with 6 available seats), but will end up just missing it as others get on the upgrade list. Usually, I'm flying direct, and I know connecting passengers go ahead of direct flyers of the same status (although I've never understood why).

But no worries. First world problems. I'd rather be up front, but am fine in MCE or an exit row.

Haha. First world problems is right.

On the connecting passenger tiebreaker (and I understand it is the first tiebreaker within the status tiers), I think AA wants to incentivize connecting passengers to take AA versus another airline. Versus non-stop passengers likely value the non-stop flight so they don't need the priority.

That's what I heard anyway -- I think it's malarkey. They likely chose AA because they are elite status members IMHO.

-ryan

 

[Carlsbadguy]

I just used AA miles to book 2 tickets on Hawaiian nonstop from Lih-OGG this summer. Cost was 4,500 miles per ticket after 10% back since I have the Aadvantage credit card. Last spring I was able to book low mileage business class awards to Europe from San Diego but have not found much availability this year.

 

[MichaelColey]

Have you ever tried partner airline flights?

Not yet, but I've considered it. I know there are situations when the miles needed or the availability is better through partners. Just not enough time to research, open accounts, transfer miles (from SPG AmEx spending), etc.

 

[GetawaysRus]

Not yet, but I've considered it.

Fly the partners. Better service, nicer and newer planes, nicer seating. I'm an AA flyer as well. For international flights, I prefer to get a flight on a partner rather than on AA.

I've flown long haul transatlantic on British Air, Air Berlin, Iberia, Royal Jordanian, and El Al using AA miles.

The AA 777s are OK, but the 767s are a bit worn and not nearly so comfortable for a long haul flight.

The downside of redeeming miles on a partner is that many partner redemptions require a phone call to AA and therefore you'll have to pay a fee for booking through an agent. But to me that's a small price to pay for a nicer flight (and to keep my wife happy).

 

[Mr. Vker]

Fly the partners. Better service, nicer and newer planes, nicer seating. I'm an AA flyer as well. For international flights, I prefer to get a flight on a partner rather than on AA.

I've flown long haul transatlantic on British Air, Air Berlin, Iberia, Royal Jordanian, and El Al using AA miles.

The AA 777s are OK, but the 767s are a bit worn and not nearly so comfortable for a long haul flight.

The downside of redeeming miles on a partner is that many partner redemptions require a phone call to AA and therefore you'll have to pay a fee for booking through an agent. But to me that's a small price to pay for a nicer flight (and to keep my wife happy).

I am 99% sure there is no agent booking fee through AA on a partner. The fee only applies when you could have booked online. We didn't pay booking fee for Thailand using AA miles on Cathay. We prefer partners to Europe and Asia. Much better experience than airlines from the US. You do have to call though.

BTW, we often have to get creative with routing on the more exotic trips. We live in MD. We have flown out of: Dulles, PHL, EWR, JFK and BWI. Like I said, does require some planning. The adventure is fun IMHO. New experiences from beginning to end.

 

[Mr. Vker]

Not yet, but I've considered it. I know there are situations when the miles needed or the availability is better through partners. Just not enough time to research, open accounts, transfer miles (from SPG AmEx spending), etc.

There is no transfer to use AA miles on Oneworld partner airlines. Just has to be award availability. You call AA. They check and book you directly on the other flights using AA miles.

 

[Pat H]

Had no problem using AA miles to book a Shanghai to HKG flight on Cathay Pacific only a month or so before departure. Also got Business on Cathay from HKG-Lax and then LAX-DFW-SAV on AA. It was not booked when the flights first opened. My problem is often because the flights out of Savannah are on small planes so much fewer seats.

 

[x3 skier]

When I fly AA using miles, I use the Avios I got from credit card sign-ups to get to/from ORD on short haul flights where I have found good availability in Biz or First to Europe with low miles.

As an aside, by some minor miracle, I found two low miles First Class DAY-Puerto Vallarta on Delta. Leaving next week for Club Regina.

Cheers

 

[Mr. Vker]

My problem is often because the flights out of Savannah are on small planes so much fewer seats.

This is an issue. Our daughter's family lives in Fayetteville, NC. Trying to get awards from FAY usually doubles the miles needed than flying them from Charlotte. They have a 2 1/2 hour drive, but its worth saving the 100k plus miles on a trip to Mexico in 2013.

 

[sjsharkie]

I am 99% sure there is no agent booking fee through AA on a partner. The fee only applies when you could have booked online. We didn't pay booking fee for Thailand using AA miles on Cathay. We prefer partners to Europe and Asia. Much better experience than airlines from the US. You do have to call though.

This was a recent policy change.

Prior to this year, phone fee applied regardless of whether or not it was bookable online. Now, if the partner airline CANNOT be booked online, the phone fee does not apply. (Cathay is in the group of airlines that are not searchable for awards online through AA). Fees still apply if the partner award could have been booked through aa.com. One fo the few reductions in fees I've seen in a long time

I agree with the sentiment that international carriers are generally better than domestic.

-ryan

 

[Mimi39]

Today I tried to book an upgrade going to Buena Aires from SFO with a connection through Miami. The return is from Manaus, Brazil and only flight to Miami is a code share of American and USair. For that reason I was unable to get an upgrade on ANY segment not just the one involving US. I'm really disgusted with AA and USair. I have 66K FF that I can't use.

 

[MichaelColey]

This is an issue. Our daughter's family lives in Fayetteville, NC. Trying to get awards from FAY usually doubles the miles needed than flying them from Charlotte. They have a 2 1/2 hour drive, but its worth saving the 100k plus miles on a trip to Mexico in 2013.

That's exactly my philosophy.

If I want to go somewhere, affordably, I'll find a way. If I have to fly out at 5am, so be it. If I have to fly out of another city, so be it. If I have to stay a few extra days, so be it. If I have to make a lot of connecting flights, so be it. If I have to fly in coach, so be it.

When we're able to stretch our limited resources (cash, miles, points, timeshares, etc.) to be able to take several times as many vacations as other people, it's all worth it.

 

[BocaBoy]

I have always had great success with AA miles. I always fly first class when we go to Hawaii and business class to Europe or Asia. If you have a little flexibility in scheduling and book far enough ahead, you can usually get what you need at the lower mileage levels. United is similar, except they cost more miles in many cases and now they gouge you on partner flights. Delta is horrendous and I seldom use them any more, even though we live in a major Delta hub.