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Upgrade your airport experience this holiday season with 50% off Five Star Service

Nov. 17, 2020
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4 min read
AA Flagship Lounge JFK
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You don't need to fly business or first class to book American's Five Star Service this holiday season. You also won't need to shell out hundreds of dollars.

For a limited time, American Airlines is making its Five Star Service available for purchase to all customers at a discounted rate of 50% for families or groups of three or more. This promotion will only be available for travel between Nov. 20, and Jan. 10, 2021.

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Booking American Airlines Five Star Service for 50% off

American's Five Star Service usually costs $350 for the first person and $100 for each additional adult. Passengers 17 and under pay just $50. Additionally, it's usually only available to business and first class passengers. However, the service is going to be much more accessible this holiday season.

Families and groups of three or more travel from Nov. 20 through Jan. 10, 2021 will be able to book Five Star Service for 50% off. Furthermore, American is making the service available for purchase to all customers, regardless of the cabin you're flying in.

The discounted rate will also be available to those booking with miles. American usually charges 35,000 miles for the first adult and 10,000 miles per additional adult or 5,000 miles per additional child.

To book, call 877-578-2702 and use code Holidays50. If you're an AirPass member, keep in mind that you can now use your funds toward purchasing the service.

Related: You can fly lie-flat seats over the holidays for under $200

What American Airlines Five Star Service gets you

American Airlines Five Star Service is ideal for travelers who want to make their ground experience more enjoyable and less stressful. It provides extra perks like priority check-in — including access to Flagship First Check-In, where available — expedited security screening, access to the Admirals Club, an escort to and from the gate, pre-boarding, priority re-accommodation during delays and more.

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While you can unlock perks like priority boarding with a cobranded credit card, having access to the exclusive Flagship First Check-In area, expedited security and dedicated representative can be extremely valuable. These perks are especially beneficial for families who might need extra help navigating through the airport or those who want to take extra steps to socially distance.

Related: Shortcut elite status, lounge access and more with 50% off AA AirPass entry

Five Star Service gets you access to the private Flagship First check-in area. (Photo by Benji Stawski/The Points Guy)

Which airports offer Five Star Service?

Five Star Service is offered at 16 U.S. airports and four international ones. However, only the following U.S. locations are bookable through this promotion:

  • Austin (AUS)
  • Boston (BOS)
  • Charlotte (CLT)
  • Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
  • Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW)
  • Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Miami (MIA)
  • New York Kennedy (JFK)
  • New York LaGuardia (LGA)
  • Philadelphia (PHL)
  • Phoenix (PHX)
  • San Francisco (SFO)

Related: Which airline lounges in the US are currently open?

Bottom line

Traveling as a family can be stressful – and even more so during the holidays and a pandemic. If you're planning on traveling in the coming weeks, this promotion can be a great way to alleviate some of that stress.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Go to review

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.