AAdvantage redemptions on South America's JetSmart coming 'very soon'
American Airlines and its budget airline partner JetSmart are working out the details to bring AAdvantage miles redemptions to the South American carrier.
The airlines have faced "some challenges" rolling out AAdvantage as JetSmart's loyalty program, said Victor Mejia, chief commercial officer of JetSmart, at the Routes Americas conference in Nassau, Bahamas, on Tuesday.
American and JetSmart first unveiled plans for the latter to adopt AAdvantage as its own loyalty program in July 2021 as part of an investment by the former. A key facet in that pact was realized in September 2024 when AAdvantage members were able to earn miles and Loyalty Points on JetSmart flights across South America. Miles redemptions were expected by the end of the year but have yet to begin.
AvGeek insider: Behind the scenes at American's sprawling Tulsa maintenance facility
AAdvantage redemptions are coming "very soon" to JetSmart flights, Mejia said when asked about the delay. While he would not specify a date, he did say it would be this year.
"There's an important customer base in Latin America that, maybe, doesn't have enough AAdvantage miles for a ticket to the U.S. but have enough for a one-hour flight on us," he said.
That customer base is important to both American and JetSmart.
American is the largest U.S. airline in Latin America, where it has a sizable number of AAdvantage members, executives have said. The program, according to a 2021 investor presentation, is among the largest airline loyalty programs in the world with more than 115 million members globally.
The U.S. carrier has taken a two-pronged approach to serving those AAdvantage members in Latin America. It has an equity partnership with Gol Airlines in the Brazilian market, with JetSmart covering much of the rest of South America. American adopted the strategy after its longtime partner LATAM shifted its allegiance to Delta Air Lines in 2019.
JetSmart has local operations in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru, and big growth plans for the years ahead. The Chilean carrier aims to more than double its fleet from 44 Airbus A320-family planes today to 100-plus aircraft by the end of the decade.
Value added: You can now finally earn miles, Loyalty Points from paid American Airlines upgrades
Indigo Partners, the private equity firm behind budget carriers Frontier Airlines and Wizz Air, owns the majority of JetSmart and American holds a roughly 35% stake.
"Investment from our side leads into a domestic expansion [at JetSmart], which allows us to expand our long-haul," said Anmol Bhargava, vice president of global alliances and partnerships at American, in a 2023 interview. "It just becomes a circular wheel for our partners."
JetSmart has expansive plans for its new aircraft as they arrive, Mejia said. That includes filling out its domestic and intra-South America networks, especially in Argentina and Colombia, and expanding north from Colombia to destinations in the U.S., Caribbean and Mexico.
In the meantime, JetSmart is already benefiting from its adoption of AAdvantage last year. Nearly 10% of travelers include an AAdvantage number on their reservation today, Mejia said. And the percentage is expected to grow once miles redemptions come online.
The airline is also in the process of expanding its codeshare partnership with American to include Colombia, he added. JetSmart anticipates having approvals in hand and the pact implemented by the end of the year.
American and JetSmart currently codeshare in Chile and Peru, and on select flights in Argentina.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- American Airlines basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more
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.