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Great news: American Airlines eliminates close-in booking fee for all AAdvantage members

Jan. 15, 2020
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3 min read
American Airlines AA A321T First Class 2
Great news: American Airlines eliminates close-in booking fee for all AAdvantage members
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For at least the last decade, American Airlines has charged a $75 fee for booking award tickets or requesting mileage upgrades within 21 days of departure. This fee was only charged to non-elite members, as the fee was waived for AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum.

Effective immediately, American Airlines has eliminated this fee for all AAdvantage members.

For example, when searching a flight between New York City and Los Angeles for next Wednesday, you'll find that the taxes and fees are just $5.60:

In confirming the changes to TPG, an airline spokesperson said that American Airlines is "always looking for ways to make AAdvantage award redemption easier for our customers, and this update offers more flexibility when booking award travel and requesting mileage upgrades.”

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While the "award processing charge" has been eliminated, there will still be AAdvantage ticketing service charges for awards booked through AA reservations -- unless the award is one of the few that can't be booked on AA's website.

American Airlines' elimination of award processing fees comes shortly after United eliminated its close-in booking fee. However, in United's case, that reduction in fees came with a catch. Instead of charging a $75 close-in booking fee, United effectively replaced that cash fee with a mileage surcharge on award bookings made within 30 days of departure.

While some travelers may be fine with paying 3,500 extra miles to save having to pay a $75 fee, this change effectively added a new fee for elites. Before the change, mid-high and top-tier United elites didn't have to pay the close-in booking fee, but now all United members has to pay the new mileage surcharge.

The good news with the American Airlines changes that we are seeing so far is that there doesn't seem to be this additional mileage fee -- at least for now.

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Despite having an award chart for its own flights, American Airlines now effectively dynamically prices awards on its own flights through its Web Specials program. So, a mileage surcharge would be most evident on partner awards.

One of my favorite sweet spots in the current AAdvantage award chart is the ability to fly Qatar Qsuites between the U.S. and South Africa for just 75,000 miles one-way. Even for last-minute trips, awards on this route are still pricing at 75,000 miles, and there are just $19.30 in taxes and fees for all AAdvantage members:

RELATED: Best sweet spots in the American Airlines AAdvantage program

As another example, I recently flew Japan Airlines from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Sapporo, Japan (CTS) at the award chart-listed 7,500 miles one-way. When I search for a flight tomorrow -- while logged out of my AAdvantage account -- the price is still showing at 7,500 miles one-way plus $0 in taxes and fees:

So, from what we are seeing so far, these changes today appear to be a positive -- a rarity in mileage program "enhancements."

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
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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.