Earn as many as 20,000 bonus miles with American Airlines in new targeted promotion
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
American Airlines is running a new targeted promotion that could leave you 20,000 miles richer if you fly with the airline between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30.
The promotion is perfectly timed for anyone who's chasing the end of summer, still looking to book a late vacation and wanting to get some bonus miles. Note, though, that the promotion does not include earning Loyalty Points.
While the promotion is widely available, your offers may vary substantially. Some offers are only available for premium bookings, though you may find other cabins qualify in your targeted offer. For example, TPG's managing editor of news, Clint Henderson, has an offer for 4,000 bonus miles with any bookings, including main cabin tickets, while senior hotels writer Tanner Saunders was lucky enough to be offered 12,000 bonus miles.
Deal basics
Airline: American Airlines
How to book: Register for the promo via your American Airlines AAdvantage account, then simply book the flights
Book by: July 22
Travel dates: Between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30
How to register for the bonus
The bonus miles are earnable after flying various amounts of qualifying flights. To check whether you've been targeted for the offer and are eligible to earn the bonus miles, you'll need to log in to your AAdvantage account via the American Airlines website or app. Once you're logged in, you then need to navigate your way to the "Promotions" tab, where you'll see all the current promotions you're eligible for, including the 4,000 bonus miles promotion, if targeted.
It's worth noting that the promotion you see will vary.
For this promotion, you'll need to fly on American Airlines-operated and -marketed flights, not partner airlines, and purchase revenue (cash) tickets. Award flights do not count.
In terms of the finer details, if you do see the offer, it's imperative that you register for it before you book your flights. You'll then need to book two flights and ensure that you'll be flying between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30.
The bonus miles should appear in your account within 14 days of completing the flight and won't count toward earning Loyalty Points, only AAdvantage miles.
TPG's July 2024 valuations currently peg AAdvantage miles at 1.55 cents apiece, making the 4,000-mile bonus worth around $62. It's not too shabby, considering you'll be earning the miles on top of the regular miles earnings you'll make for the flights booked.
Best travel credit cards to maximize your purchase
If you book this deal and want to maximize your spending on fees, taxes or other add-ons, use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees): 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 2 points per dollar spent on travel
- American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on air travel
Bottom line
American Airlines is running a new targeted promo offering as many as 20,000 bonus miles if you're able to fly with the carrier between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30. If you're lucky enough to be targeted, this is an easy way to maximize the number of miles you could earn from your flights.
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