American Airlines

Tag Archives for American Airlines.

2018 American Aadvantage Challenge

close-up of an airplane

In 2017 I took the same amount of flights and flew almost the same amount of butt-in-seat miles as 2016. However because of changes to the Aadvantage program, including the value of EQMs and the new spend requirement, I did not hit Platinum for the first time in almost a decade (excluding the years my…

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American bringing free meals back to coach

a seat belt on an airplane

In the age of airline cost cutting, coach passengers have gotten used to bringing their own food when they fly. Post-merger, American Airlines has started to serve cookies or pretzels in coach for most flights, a nice touch but not exactly substantial for longer trips. Last year Delta ran a pilot testing meals in coach…

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Sign of what’s to come

a screenshot of a document

On Monday American Airlines announced that as of January 1st customers who purchase eligible First or Business Class tickets will receive bonus miles based on class and fare type during 2015.  To make things a little more complicated, how many points you get depends on your status. This will be a great bonus for those…

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Poll: Will you (or would you) dump American?

Last month after the Delta Skymiles changes I ran a poll asking if the changes would make anyone stop flying Delta. The answer was a resounding, overwhelming YES. 63% of respondents said they would leave, compared to 14% who said they wouldn’t and 19% who were still making up their mind. Now that American has…

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Please help me get my status!

Since I was pregnant and had a baby last year, I was only able to fly for about seven months. In that time I was able to achieve Gold Status with American and A-List with Southwest. So far this year I’ve gotten A-List again with Southwest, which is great. However, I am still only Gold…

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Lounge access is free for First and Biz on international AA flights

a small bag with a drink and other items on a table

There has been a lot of international travel in my career, primarily to Manila for the last few years. I have been lucky enough to be upgraded for most segments. I have also been Platinum with American for six years straight. However, last year since I couldn’t travel for six months due to being pregnant…

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Travel news roundup: Mergers, sharing perks, and unexpected travel benefits

American Airlines and US Airways: The merger is finally supposed to happen. Or is it? Articles abound today about the merger and what it means for travelers. A secret board meeting is supposed to happen next week to vote.  Reports are that the company will be based in Dallas, will be called American Airlines, and…

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Let’s discuss: Airline status and maternity leave

For the last six years, I have been Platinum on American. The first year at my job I did the challenge (free back then—those were the days!) and achieved Platinum in six weeks. I’ve maintained it since, some years due to segments and others due to points. This year I had to stop flying in…

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Poll: What’s your favorite domestic first class meal?

a close-up of a container

A few months ago I was lucky enough to have all my flight segments for a multi-city trip upgraded to first class. Woo-hoo! The best part, of course, is the extra space. Being pregnant, I couldn’t enjoy the booze (lame) and I’m always hungry, so the second best part was the food. Since I traveled…

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When do you go to the airport when your flight is delayed?

On Tuesday, I was supposed to fly to San Jose for a bunch of meetings. Typically, I was flying American, going through DFW. As I was getting ready to leave the house, my husband said, “Oh wow, there are tornado warnings in Dallas.” Sure enough, here is what happened in the Dallas area that day:…

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