As I briefly mentioned in my previous post, starting March 22nd American Airlines is set to vastly increase the amount of miles for first and business class award tickets. The new updated award chart can be found here. I’ve taken a thorough look and compared the old and new award chart. Here are my thoughts for flights from and to the United States.
Flights within Contiguous 48 U.S. States
Regular award redemption in Economy costs remain at 12,500.
Business class tickets remain the same at 25,000.
First Class tickets go up significantly by 53% from 32,500 to 50,000.
Overall this is great news for those who use their miles for domestic award travel. Keep in mind domestic first class flights are classified as business class for award purposes. Only transcontinental flights between New York to LA and San Francisco have a true first class product which isn’t that impressive anyway.
Flights to Hawaii
Regular award redemption in Economy costs remain at 22,500.
Business class tickets go up slightly by 6% from 37,500 to 40,000.
The mileage increases basically match United’s award chart. To save miles, I recommend using Singapore Krisflyer miles instead which charges only 20,000 miles one way. Keep in mind domestic first class flights are classified as business class for award purposes.
Flights to Canada and Alaska
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs go up by 20% from 12,500 to 15,000.
Business class tickets go up by 20% from 25,000 to 30,000.
With the increased amount of miles, I recommend using United which still charges 12,500 for economy class and 25,000 for business class.
Flights to Europe
The good news is the regular award redemptions in Economy costs remain the same at 30,000 miles. However, Off Peak Economy award redemptions increased from 20,000 to 22, 500. However, American Airlines has reduced the number of days in the off season significantly from October 15th to May 15th to November 1st to December 14 and January 10th – March 14th. This is a significant loss since now you can’t travel during the shoulder season or during the Christmas break.
Business class tickets go up slightly by 15% from 50,000 to 57,500.
First Class tickets go up significantly by 36% from 62,500 to 85,000.
First class flights between the United States and Europe are solely operated by American Airlines and British Airways, which happen to have the subpar first class products. This increase makes redeeming miles for First Class travel between the US and Europe a very poor value.
British Airways First Class
Flights to Asia Region 1
Regular award redemption to Asia Region 1 (Japan and Korea) in Economy increased slightly by 7% from 32,500 to 35,000. However, American Airlines has eliminated off peak redemptions to Asia completely. This represents a significant increase in miles, since off peak redemption only cost 25,000 miles.
Business class tickets go up by 20% from 50,000 to 60,000. This is still relatively a good value especially since Japan Airways has better business class products.
First Class tickets go up by 28% from 62,500 to 80,000. Although that is a slight increase, the amount of miles needed still represents a good value since other airline mileage programs charge more and Japan Airways has the best first class products.
Japan Airlines First Class
Flights to Asia Region 2
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs go slightly up by 7% from 35,000 to 37,500.
Business class tickets go up by 27% from 55,000 to 70,000.
First Class tickets go up significantly by 62% from 67,500 to 110,000. This is a huge increase in miles, making the award from one of the best value redemptions to a mediocre one. This is a huge loss, since I’ve always been a huge fan of Cathay Pacific first class products, and this increase makes it unaffordable.
Cathay Pacific First Class
Flights to South Pacific
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs go slightly up by 6% from 37,500 to 40,000.
Business class tickets go up by 28% from 62,500 to 78,000.
First Class tickets go up significantly by 51% from 72,500 to 110,000. Again, this is a huge increase by American Airlines. What makes it especially difficult is Qantas offers amazing first class products. However, now that American Airlines flies to Australia, award availability should increase. Currently Qantas awards are very hard to find.
Qantas First Class
Flights to Africa
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs go slightly up by 6% from 37,500 to 40,000.
Business class tickets remain the same at 75,000.
First Class tickets go up by 20% from 100,000 to 120,000. While the award price didn’t increase by much, the award redemption cost has always been high. Additionally, flying to Africa usually requires flying on British Airways, taxes and fees could reach up to $1,000 round trip.
Flights to Middle East/Indian Sub Continent
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs go slightly down by 11% from 45,000 to 40,000.
Business class tickets go slightly up by 3% from 67,500 to 70,000.
First Class tickets go up by 27% from 90,000 to 115,000. While the amount of miles has increased, this is still reasonable unlike redemption flights to Asia and Australia. Overall this is ok news for those who want to fly on Ethihad which features one of the best hard products in the world. In addition, the Maldives is still classified as part of the Middle East.
Etihad First Class
Flights to South America Region 1 (Northern Southern America)
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs go slightly up by 14% from 17,500 to 20,000.
Business class tickets remain at 30,000.
First Class tickets go up significantly by 37% from 40,000 to 55,000. Overall, award tickets to countries such as Peru and Colombia represents a good value.
Flights to South America Region 2
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs remain at 30,000.
Business class tickets go up by 15% from 50,000 to 57,500.
First Class tickets go up significantly by 36% from 62,500 to 85,000.
Business class awards to South America still represent a good value. While the amount of miles needed for first class flights increased by quite a bit, American Airlines has a poor first class product to begin with.
Flights to Central America
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs remain at 17,500.
Business class tickets go down slightly by 8% from 30,000 to 27,500.
First Class tickets go up significantly by 31% from 40,000 to 52,500.
Even though the amount of miles for a business class award slightly decreased, I’d recommend saving your miles and fly Economy. The domestic first or “business class” product is not a good use of miles.
Flights to Mexico
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs remain at 17,500.
Business class tickets go down slightly by 8% from 30,000 to 27,500.
First Class tickets go up significantly by 31% from 40,000 to 52,500.
Even though the amount of miles for a business class award slightly decreased, I’d recommend saving your miles and fly Economy. The domestic first or “business class” product is not a good use of miles.
Flights to Caribbean
Regular award redemptions in Economy costs remain at 17,500.
Business class tickets go down slightly by 8% from 30,000 to 27,500.
First Class tickets go up significantly by 31% from 40,000 to 52,500.
Even though the amount of miles for a business class award slightly decreased, I’d recommend saving your miles and fly Economy. The domestic first or “business class” product is not a good use of miles.
In Summary:
Overall, American Airlines award redemptions in first class go up significantly, while business class redemptions in general seem to go up around 10-20%. The good news is economy flights stay relatively the same, although the elimination of AAsaver awards for flights to Asia and South America do sting a bit.
Award redemptions through Aadvantage will still “price” at the old level for all award bookings until March 22, 2016. Since you can book your award flights around 11 months ahead, this means if you book on March 21, 2016 you can book for flights until February 2017.
I highly recommend using your miles to fly first class products, especially flights on Cathay Pacific and Qantas before the amount of miles vastly increases.
