American Airlines gets flexible

Having launched the AAdvantage frequent flyer programme nearly three decades ago, American Airlines has now further revolutionised award travel by introducing an exciting new feature called “One-Way Flex Awards”.

One-Way Flex Awards offer a whole new approach to frequent flyer award travel, giving AAdvantage members more options and even greater value when redeeming award travel. For the first time by any major US airline, AAdvantage members will be able to use miles on a one-way basis at the true one-way price of half the round-trip mileage requirement.

At the same time, American is offering AAdvantage members who do travel round trip the ability to combine multiple one-way award types as part of a single itinerary. Consequently, customers may now combine MileSAAver with AAnytime awards, or economy class with First or Business Class awards, to customise frequent flyer travel to best meet their needs.

AAdvantage members may book One-Way Flex Awards by using the newly enhanced, easy-to-read, colour-coded availability calendar on aa.com, allowing members to determine the dates, flights and award types that work best for them.

“Since the AAdvantage program was launched in 1981, American has continuously made improvements that make the programme more valuable for our members and ensure our industry leadership position,” said Rob Friedman, President – AAdvantage Marketing Programs. “Our One-Way Flex feature takes frequent flyer award travel to a whole new level by offering customers unprecedented options and flexibility.”

In addition to introducing One-Way Flex awards, American has enhanced aa.com to make booking AAdvantage award travel online even more convenient.

Members needing to travel to more than one city in a single trip may now book multi-city award itineraries on aa.com. Multi-city booking allows members to incorporate up to four one-way awards as part of a single itinerary; an expansion from previous capabilities that allowed only round trip travel. Multi-city award booking also allows customers to arrange travel into one city and return from another; for example, travelling to London but returning from Paris.

American’s innovative changes to the AAdvantage program – made after extensive research and study – coupled with the technology enhancements to aa.com, make redeeming one-way and combinable awards quick, easy and convenient.

“American is blazing the trail with technology solutions that make innovative and customer-friendly enhancements a reality for our customers,” said Andrew Watson, American’s Vice President – Customer Technology. “Our customers asked for more options, flexibility and speed when shopping and booking award travel on AA.com and that’s just what we’ve delivered. Our commitment is to leverage the most up-to-date technology to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.”

American’s One-Way Flex Awards are available now for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection carrier. Customers can get further details and view an online demo at aa.com/flexawards.