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AAdvantage and Dividend Miles Merger- What You Need To Know

March 13, 2015
•
3 min read
American and US Airways Merger Announced
AAdvantage and Dividend Miles Merger- What You Need To Know
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When the American Airlines and US Airways merger was approved in late 2013, we knew it would only be a matter of time before the frequent flyer programs would be unified. Last October we got the news of what the program would look like, but were told only that the AAdvantage and Dividend Miles programs would merge in the second quarter of 2015, and the reservations systems "later in 2015."

The AAdvantage and Dividend Miles programs will merge in the next 30 days.

Today, American sent an email notifying members that the frequent flyer programs would officially merge within the next 30 days. We still don't have an exact date, but here's what you need to know:

1. The ability to redeem US Airways miles will go away this month, several days in advance of the actual merger of miles. This means you need to take advantage of the amazing US Airways chart now. For example, you can still book awards to Australia or South Africa in business class for only 110,000 miles round-trip, and US Airways has extremely flexible routing rules. More on those here.

That being said, US Airways isn't the most flexible program, either. You can't book one-way awards at half the price, and you can't change award travel after you start, which is a big annoyance for someone like me who appreciates the flexibility to change trips based on better award availability/routing.

2. Dividend Miles will transfer into AAdvantage miles at a 1:1 ratio. Just make sure to link accounts by March 20, 2015. You should be prompted when you log in to your account, but I had ignored it, so I had to go into my USAirways.com account -> Dividend Miles, and there was a prompt.

Log in to your AAdvantage or Dividend Miles account and you'll be prompted to link the two.

I simply entered my AA number and it worked, though some people have to update their profiles to make sure information is consistent between the two accounts.

You should see confirmation after you link accounts.

3. All lifetime status from both carriers will combine. There should also be no disruption to existing lifetime status and benefits.

4. US Airways elite activity from 2015 will transfer to American. If you have US Airways Chairman's Preferred upgrades, USE THEM NOW. You'll get AA EVIPS when the accounts merge, but use your upgrades for future travel before they go away.

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5. You will no longer be able to apply for Barclaycard US Airways Premier World MasterCard, and I believe that cut-off date is March 20, 2015 and not the actual merger date. If you haven't gotten in on the 50,000 mile offer, now is your last chance.

6. All Barclaycard US Airways cardholders will convert: some will update to the Aviator Red card, while those who were pre-selected will get the Aviator Silver card. Use your 5,000 mile US Airways award discount while you can!

The benefits change to align more closely with the Citi AAdvantage cards, including:

  • $100 flight discount on your account anniversary each year with at least $30,000 in annual purchases;
  • 10% of your redeemed miles back (10,000 miles maximum per year).

I'll post when a specific date is announced, but book those US Airways awards now before we lose them forever! If you have any questions, post them below and I'll do my best to answer.

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at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.