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AAdvantage Drops LEVEL Flight Crediting Effective November 1

Sept. 14, 2017
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3 min read
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AAdvantage Drops LEVEL Flight Crediting Effective November 1
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Back in June, airline conglomerate International Airlines Group (IAG) launched LEVEL — a new low-cost carrier under IAG's Spanish unit Iberia. The new airline was designed to allow IAG, which also owns British Airways, to compete with long-haul, low-cost carriers such as Norwegian without watering down the brand of its core airlines.

At the time of the launch, it was unclear how this airline would be treated by other airlines in the Oneworld alliance. LEVEL itself wouldn't be a Oneworld carrier, but its flights would be operated by Oneworld carrier Iberia. While that seems strange at first, it makes sense that a LCC wouldn't have to bother providing elite benefits.

So that left the question open about crediting miles. It wouldn't be until after LEVEL's first few flights that American Airlines would finally agree to credit LEVEL flights to AAdvantage. The announced rates were pretty terrible, but at least you could get ~600 AAdvantage miles for a cheap one-way between California and Europe. After just 96 one-ways, you'd have enough miles to redeem for a one-way business class flight to Europe!

Well, it looks like the gravy train is coming to an end. On Thursday morning, AAdvantage changed its program to eliminate LEVEL flight credits as of November 1. Specifically, the following was added to its website: "Beginning November 1, 2017, travel on any flights marketed by Iberia and operated by Iberia for LEVEL (IB2600 – IB2699) won't be eligible for AAdvantage mileage accrual."

We confirmed the change with an American Airlines spokesperson, who pointed out that "AAdvantage members will continue to earn miles on LEVEL flights marketed as American Airlines codeshare flights."

That's true. However, you're going to have to pay a price premium to do so. It's going to be up to you whether its worth it to pay more AA codeshare flights. Let's take a look at an example:

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What do you get for the $266 price difference? For flights before November 1:

LEVEL flightAwardElite Qualifying Miles (EQM)Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD)
AA flight numbers
3,000-6,600

(depending on

elite status)
11,920
600
IB flight numbers
596
0
0

For flights after November 1, the difference would be that you wouldn't earn those 596 award miles on Iberia flight numbers. Unless you're desperate for those EQMs and EQDs to qualify for AAdvantage elite status, there's no reason to pay hundreds more for the award miles.

So, if you're not going to pay more for a codeshare option, what are your LEVEL credit options?

And the airlines that exclude LEVEL flights:

  • British Airways Avios: "Flights operated by Iberia on behalf of Level are not eligible for accrual of Tier Points or Avios."
  • Malaysia Enrich Miles: "Effective 1 June 2017, earn and redeem of Enrich Miles are not applicable on Iberia Level Flights (range from IB2600 — IB2699)."
  • S7 Priority miles: "Miles cannot be earned on the following flights: IB2600 — IB2699."

Where will you credit LEVEL flights?

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at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
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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.
4XEarn 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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  • 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.