AA AWARD CHANGES – HOW TO WIN

Expiration Date – March 21, 2016

March 22, 2016, is the BIG day when the new American Airlines AAdvantage award charts become effective for flights booked on or after that date. If you are interested in a route that will become more expensive (most) after March 22, 2016, book those flights now. And wait until after the 22nd to book an award flight for those few routes that will require less miles.

Know where you want to travel but aren’t sure on the dates? According to American, any award tickets you secure before March 22, 2016, will allow FREE changes to the dates of your travel and still maintain the original award price you booked as long as award availability is offered for the new dates and you make the change within 365 of booking the original flight. But, if you change the origin, destination or airline, you will pay a $150 change fee for a round-trip itinerary or a one-way flight itinerary, and any difference in the number of miles required for the redemption between the pre- and post-March 22, 2016, award charts.  

Here is a summary of the award flights that will become more expensive on March 22, 2016. If you’re interested in any of these routes, you should book these flights now:

• First Class flights on American and any of American’s partners will become more expensive on March 22 between the US and all destinations except travel to the Middle East

• The biggest change will be to Cathay Pacific First Class between the US and Asia, which will increase from 67,500 to 110,000 miles each way

• Business Class flights will become more expensive on all routes except flights within the contiguous 48 US states, and between the US and the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, parts of South America and the Middle East

• Off-peak travel will become more expensive between the US and all regions except parts of Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America

Here is a summary of the award flights that will become less expensive on March 22, 2016. If you’re interested in any of these routes, wait until March 22 to book these flights:

• A new category will be introduced for 1-way, nonstop, domestic US flights under 500 miles at a cost of 7,500 miles in the Economy Class and 15,000 miles in Business Class

• Economy and Business Class between the US and the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico will be reduced from 17,500 to 15,000 miles each way in Economy Class and will be reduced from 30,000 to 25,000 miles each way in Business Class

• Economy Class between the US and Central America from September 7 through November 14 will be reduced from 15,000 to 12,500 miles each way

• Economy Class travel between the US and the Middle East and India on an American Airlines partner will be reduced from 45,000 to 40,000 miles each way

And here are seven flight redemption tips to use in 2016:

1. Become familiar with the American Airlines and oneworld and other airline partner award redemption charts for travel booked by March 21, 2016. And also become familiar with the American Airlines and oneworld and other airline partner award redemption charts for travel booked on or after March 22, 2016.

2. For travel booked on or after March 22, 2016, the number of miles needed for American award flights and upgrades will be based on destination, demand and other dynamics, which in most cases will increase the number of miles required.

3. If you book by March 21, 2016, the current redemption rates will apply for travel through the end of the available award schedule. If a fare class or destination will be more expensive after March 22, book it now!

4. If you’re interested in any of the routes that will require less miles for award travel, wait until March 22 to book these flights!

5. Any award tickets you secure before March 22, 2016, will allow FREE changes to the dates of your travel and still maintain the original award price you booked as long as award availability is offered for the new dates you choose and you make the change within 365 of booking the original flight. But, if you change the origin, destination or airline, you will pay a $150 change fee and any difference in the number of miles required for the redemption per the March 22, 2016, award charts.  

6. While American’s online booking system is robust, we always suggest calling an AA reservations agent to explore award travel availability if you are having any challenges finding dates and routing that work for you. While it will cost $30 to $40 to book an award by phone (this fee is waived for Executive Platinum AAdvantage members), American’s reservation agents typically have access to more than you see online and it may save you a lot of time and frustration. And you only pay if an award is successfully booked for you.

7. After March 22, 2106, be flexible and attempt to book as early as 11 months out for the best chance at securing a convenient and economical award flight and remember airlines also typically open up award seat availability in the days leading up to a flight if you have the ability to travel on short notice.

The Wrap-Up:

March 22, 2016, is the BIG day when the new American Airlines AAdvantage award charts become effective for flights booked on or after that date. If you are interested in a route that will become more expensive after March 22, 2016, book those flights now. And wait to book an award flight for those few routes that will require less miles after March 22.

And if you’d like to learn more about what’s changed with the AAdvantage program and the additional upcoming changes in 2016, see our great Tip about the AAdvantage program.

If you are able to secure an award flight now for a route that will cost a lot more on March 22, 2016, go ahead and tell us all about it with a nice note on Facebook and Twitter!

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