What happened
One Mile at a Time argues that Etihad A380 first class from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo still prices at 50,000 AAdvantage miles when space appears, but partner airlines have sharply restricted the premium seats released to American.
American still publishes a partner award chart. Japan Airlines 777 first class from Bangkok to Tokyo can price at 40,000 miles. Available routes are often a poor match for trips that start in the US. Other oneworld partners release few seats. British Airways tickets add heavy carrier-imposed surcharges. American stops selling partner awards within six days of departure. One Mile at a Time says AAdvantage now looks stronger for flights American operates. Dynamic long-haul pricing on American metal is described as better on average than Delta or United, even without saver space. Alaska points can still beat AAdvantage when American saver space exists.
The author has historically valued AAdvantage miles at 1.5 cents each and is considering a slightly lower figure, while still calling the program the best of the large US programs. Use AAdvantage on American-operated awards and chase partner premium space only when a seat is actually available.
- Numbers
- 50,000 miles: Etihad A380 first class award from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo
- 40,000 miles: Japan Airlines 777 first class award from Bangkok to Tokyo
- 1.5 cents: author’s historical valuation of AAdvantage miles
- Takeaway
- Treat AAdvantage as strongest for American-operated awards and only chase partner first and business space when it actually appears.