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American Adds Lower Cost Award Tickets On Least Useful Routes Possible

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American Airlines Introduces 5k Web Only Awards

American Airlines Introduces 5k Web Only Awards

This week American Airlines added a new award ticket redemption option called “Economy Web Special” that is even cheaper than the Economy MilesAAver option. I can’t imagine many people are too excited about this because of the limited route options. The web special option doesn’t appear to have a set price but starts at only 5K miles and is currently only available on very select routes. I found it interesting that the option is available even on days with no SAAver availability for a reduced price. You can see an example of this from the pictures below.

Related: Citi AAdvantage Mastercard: Get 40K Miles and $200 Credit, Plus Get matched to Better Offer

According to JT Genter at TPG the program is being launched on just six routes:

  • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) — Wichita (ICT)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) — Corpus Christi (CRP)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) — Brownsville South Padre Island (BRO)
  • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) — McAllen (MFE)
  • Phoenix (PHX) — Long Beach (LGB)
  • Charlotte (CLT) — Orlando-Melbourne (MLB)

Note that all of these routes are under 500 miles so the SAAver Mileage required to book these tickets would be 7.5K.

American Airlines Introduces 5k Web Only Awards American Airlines Introduces 5k Web Only Awards American Airlines Introduces 5k Web Only Awards

Economy Web Special Awards Terms

  • Economy Web Special awards are available exclusively on aa.com and may be offered on select flights and dates for fewer miles than either the MileSAAver or AAnytime award level.
  • Travel is in the Main Cabin, and mileage levels vary by date and flight.
  • Tickets that include an Economy Web Special award don’t allow changes and there is a $150 fee to cancel and reinstate your miles. The fee is waived only for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members.

Related: One Day: Two AA Domestic Lie Flat Business Products

Conclusion

American is my preferred airline thanks to elite status but I don’t think this is anything great. I could change my mind if more routes were added. If you’re able to save a few thousand miles on one of these routes, great.

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Bethany Walsh
Bethany Walshhttp://Bougiemiles.com
Founder of BougieMiles.com, Bethany is a points, miles and loyalty program strategist who enjoys luxury travel and lives for a deal. When Bethany is not following her Miles to Memories family around the world to various meet-ups you can find her on a beach, in a casino or on a mileage run.

Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Just because these routes don’t make sense for some doesn’t make them bad. I live between KC (MCI) and Wichita (ICT). Being able to redeem 5k mile to DFW doesn’t seem that bad and when you can add a beach destination like Padre Island that’s decent. PHX-LGB is a good cruise ship route I’d think. It’s not for everyone but since AA won’t let me book premium awards to Europe very easy it’s better than nothing 🙂 Who needs the French Rivera I can go to Corpus Christi instead.

  2. Who says that American doesn’t have a sense of humor? Presenting these as being worth anything to more than a very few fliers proves otherwise.

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