American Airlines Unveils Another International Premium Economy Route
In October 2016, American Airlines first debuted its brand-new premium economy product on flights between Dallas (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX). Ever since these Boeing 787-9s were reassigned to international routes on November 3, LAX hasn't seen scheduled service of AA's newest Dreamliners. That's set to change this summer; American Airlines' sixth international 787-9 Dreamliner route is launching August 4 between Los Angeles (LAX) and Tokyo, Japan (NRT).
Let's take this chance to review when and where the 787-9 will be flying — and how you can try out AA's newest business class and premium economy products.
Routes
Currently, there are four routes being serviced by American Airlines' fleet of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. All four of these routes are based in Dallas (DFW), but Chicago (ORD) and LAX are getting some premium economy love later this year. Here are the routes that have — or will have — premium economy service:
- Dallas (DFW) — Madrid (MAD)
- Dallas (DFW) — Paris (CDG)
- Dallas (DFW) — São Paulo (GRU)
- Dallas (DFW) — Seoul (ICN)
- Chicago (ORD) — Paris (CDG) — starting July 5
- Los Angeles (LAX) — Tokyo (NRT) — starting August 4
Premium Economy Class of Service
While you can currently fly premium economy on four international routes, American Airlines' premium economy class of service doesn't officially launch until May 4. Confusing enough? For the time being, American Airlines is working out the bugs on its premium economy service. So, it's treating its international premium economy seats and service as part of the regular economy cabin for another few weeks.
If you're an American Airlines elite, this is a golden opportunity — but it's about to expire. Now through May 3, you can fly on one of the four existing routes (DFW-MAD, DFW-CDG, DFW-GRU, DFW-ICN) and select a premium economy seat when you book an economy ticket. As these seats are designated as Main Cabin Extra, non-elite members will have to pay extra to select these seats. The cost for these MCE upgrades can be steep (up to $211 one-way), so this option is best for American Airlines Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members — who can select MCE seats for free.
Status of Upgrades
As it currently stands, you'll still be able to use systemwide upgrades (SWU) to upgrade from economy to business class on flights that have premium economy class of service. AA hasn't announced when it'll let travelers upgrade from economy to premium economy, noting "AAdvantage awards and upgrades into Premium Economy aren't available now, but will be at a later date."
While some may be looking forward to using miles to book premium economy, it's concerning to us Executive Platinum elites that AA follows that statement with the following: "Until then, you can upgrade to Business from Main Cabin and Premium Economy using your AAdvantage miles or systemwide upgrades" (emphasis added). It'll be quite a blow to the value of a SWU if this transition marks the end of SWUs bypassing premium economy.
Have you flown in AA's new premium economy cabin?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.