5 American AAdvantage Redemption Sweet Spots
American Airlines AAdvantage is now the most valuable loyalty program among the three major US network carriers. One reason is because of its both objectively and relatively attractive award redemption charts. Here, I’ll highlight my top five American AAdvantage Redemption Sweet Spots.
5 American AAdvantage Redemption Sweet Spots – Still The Most Valuable Program For Apsiraitonal Redemptions
To be sure, American Airlines offers a number of excellent domestic economy class redemptions…you can find many 6K redemptions not just for $99 tickets but for tickets that may cost up to $300 at the last minute. Last-minute domestic first class awards are as cheap as 19K miles, which may be an even better deal.
But AA offers what I consider to be truly incredible redemption options when it comes to international premium travel and I want to look at those below, in addition to one particularly attractive domestic redemption.
1. US ⇄ Japan, South Korea – 80K First Class, 60K Business Class
You cannot beat JAL First Class for 80K miles…it’s how I flew on the brand new A350-1000 from New York to Tokyo. The price is unbeatable and AA does not add carrier surcharges on JAL.
> Read More: JAL A350-1000 First Class Review JFK-HND
2. Asia ⇄ Middle East – 50K First Class, 40K Business Class
You can experience an 11.5-hour flight from Tokyo to Doha in Qatar Qsuites with a connection to anywhere in the region (as far west as Egypt) for only 40K miles in business class. Or you could fly “Qatar Pacific” (Qatar Airways leases Cathay Pacific 777 jets) First Class from Hong Kong to Doha for 50K miles.
This is an amazing deal and worth hopping down to Cairo if you are traveling between Europe and the Far East.
> Read More: Qatar Airways 777 Qsuite Business Class Review NRT-DOH
3. Europe ⇄ Middle East, Indian Subcontinent – 62.5K First Class, 42.5K Business Class
Fancy a flight on Etihad Airways onboard the A380 in a First Class “Apartment?” You can fly from anywhere in Europe to London in business class, then connect in first class on Etihad, then connect again onward to India, the Maldives, or other destinations in the region, all for only 62.5K miles. Business class is only 42.5K miles.
> Read More: Etihad A380 First Class Apartments Review LHR-AUH
4. North Asia to/from South Pacific ⇄ North Asia – 40K Business Class, 60K First Class
Here, I consider business class the sweet spot, though take the first class for 20K more if you can find it. A 10-hour flight from Australia to Japan for 40K miles? Yes, please!
> Read More: Qantas 747-400 Business Class Review HKG-SYD
5. “Flagship” Premium Transcontinental Service – 22K Miles Business Class, 35K First Class
Walk-up tickets on AA’s premium transcontinental “flagship” service (between SFO/LAX-JFK/LAX-BOS) can be as little as 22K miles in business class or 35K in first class. In almost all cases, that will be at least half the price (and as much as 1/4) of the price that United or Delta will charge for their premium transcontinental routes.
Fair warning, one reason these seats may be so cheap is because AA is not taking care of these aircraft.
> Read More: AA A321T Flagship Business Class LAX-JFK Review
CONCLUSION
American Airlines has maintained a highly competitive award chart, particularly on the sort of aspirational premium cabin redemptions that drew many of us into the world of points and miles in the first place.
Truth be told, we are long overdue for a devaluation…that’s why I’d book sooner rather than later. When AA does devalue, I hope that 1.) it gives us notice and 2.) pricing does not go dynamic on partner awards (as it now has on Alaska Airlines and Fiji Airways).
I’ve also shared five redemption sweet spots with United MileagePlus as well and do the same for Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines.
top image: Etihad