New American Airlines premium-cabin 'Web Special' award prices climb off the charts
After expanding Economy Web Specials to all routes, American Airlines launched Web Special pricing on business and first class awards earlier this month. Since then, we've seen some excellent deals such as first class awards to Hong Kong for 61,000 miles and business class awards to Europe for 84,000 miles round-trip.
However, there's a downside to dynamically-priced awards. TPG has found that these "web special" award prices have now also climbed above the published AAdvantage award charts for premium cabins on international flights — and American has confirmed that this pricing will be rolling out systemwide by the end of the day today (Tuesday Dec. 17, 2019).
For example, for business class awards between the U.S. and Europe, the published AAdvantage award chart tops out at 135,000 miles each way. However, we are finding business class pricing as high as 179,000 miles each way:
American just added premium economy awards to its award chart in January 2019. For flights between the U.S. and Europe, the highest published award pricing is 110,000 miles each way. However, we are finding "web special" pricing at 140,000 miles each way:
However, this isn't as bad as it could be. For now, the "web special" award pricing is limited by the off-the-chart award pricing that American Airlines introduced in 2014 and increased for select destinations in 2017. In addition to the published award chart levels of Off Peak (economy only), MileSAAver, AAnytime Level 1 and AAnytime Level 2, AAdvantage has unpublished AAnytime levels.
The explanation to justify this increased pricing is that there are "select dates that require a higher number of miles (in addition to Level 1 and 2 awards)." However, AAnytime Level 3 pricing has become ubiquitous — especially for nonstop flights on European routes.
| U.S. to Europe | Premium Economy | Business class | First class |
|---|---|---|---|
MileSAAver | 40,000 | 57,500 | 85,000 |
AAnytime Level 1 | 75,000 | 110,000 | 140,000 |
AAnytime Level 2 | 110,000 | 135,000 | 175,000 |
AAnytime Level 3 (unpublished level) | 145,000 | 180,000 | 215,000 |
At least for now, American Airlines' "web special" pricing isn't climbing above AAnytime Level 3 on international routes. That means that these web-only awards will still be a discount to the award prices that would otherwise be available.
That being said, it's worth pointing out that both Web Special and the unpublished Level 3 and 4 prices aren't just applicable during peak travel times like summer vacation and the December holidays. They're appearing across a number of dates that wouldn't otherwise be classified as high season.
TPG reached out to American Airlines regarding this change, and the airline confirmed the update to its award pricing.
“We’ve been testing economy web specials for the past year and the response has proven we’re giving customers the schedule and pricing flexibility they’re looking for in award travel," Bridget Blaise-Shamai, President of the AAdvantage program and Vice President of Customer Loyalty and Insights for American, said in a statement to TPG. “To offer even more ways to redeem miles, we’re working quickly to roll out web specials in premium cabins systemwide.”
American also shared that over one million Web Special awards had been booked from its limited introduction in October 2018 through December 2019.
While many TPG readers are hopefully using their American miles for lie-flat seats to international destinations, American says more than 85% of rewards redeemed during the past three years have been for economy itineraries.
Now that all economy awards — and an increasing number of business/first class awards — are priced dynamically through the Web Special program, flyers may wonder why American Airlines continues to publish an award chart for its own flights, especially when Delta and United no longer have ones of their own. An spokesperson says that the airline will "maintain the current award chart because customers have let us know it provides a helpful guideline for redeeming miles." However, she acknowledges that "as customers continue to find web specials, the award chart may become less relevant over time."
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| 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. |
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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.