Stretch your miles: the complete guide to airline coronavirus promotions
As travel starts to slowly ramp back up, airlines are offering lucrative mileage earning and redemptions promotions to entice travelers to book post-coronavirus travel. These promotions offer more ways for travelers to bulk up their mileage balances, accelerate elite status earning, and redeem awards at lower rates.
We'll give you a look at all the currently available coronavirus promotions offered by airlines in the U.S. and abroad. We're expecting airlines to offer even more of these promotions in the future, so bookmark this page and check back often for more updates.
One thing you won't find here is elite status extensions — check out our full coronavirus guides to airline status for more information.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Air Canada
Aeroplan recently announced a new partnership with Uber Eats, where it will award 2x Aeroplan miles per dollar spent on all Uber Eats purchases made in the U.S. and Canada. To earn miles with this promotion, click through the Uber Eats portal on the Aeroplan website before you order delivery.
There is no expiration date set for this promotion, so we're hoping that it continues even after the coronavirus outbreak is contained.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is offering a 50% bonus on elite qualifying miles on all flights through the end of the year. Simply book a ticket with Alaska and you'll see the bonus elite miles in your account after completing the flight.
This promotion runs through Dec. 31, 2020 and includes flights booked before the promotion was announced. Unfortunately, the promotion does not include flights booked on partner airlines.
Related: What is Alaska Airlines elite status worth in 2020?
American Airlines
All miles earned with an American Airlines cobranded credit card count towards Million Miler status until the end of the year. This is a great way to earn lifetime AAdvantage elite status even if you're not in the sky.
Southwest Airlines
Like American Airlines, Southwest is offering double points on flights flown by Aug. 31, 2020. You can enroll in this promotion on Southwest's website and the bonus points will be automatically credited to your account after your flight is completed.
You can earn double points on flights booked before registering for the promotion, but you must enroll by the time your flight departs.
Related: The ultimate guide to Southwest Rapid Rewards
Qatar Airways
While not necessarily a promotion, Qatar Airways is offering a handful of exciting change options to those set to fly on a Qatar Airways ticket. Between now and Dec. 31, 2020, you have three options when changing a Qatar Airways flight:
- You can exchange your refund for Qmiles at a rate of 1 mile per $0.01.
- Change your flight's destination to anywhere within 5,000 miles of your original destination free of charge
- Change the dates of your flight free of charge
- If your flight is involuntarily disrupted, you can cancel your ticket and receive a 10% bonus when the refund is issued as a travel voucher
This policy change gives Qatar travelers the utmost flexibility when it comes to changing or canceling flights — something that's especially important during these uncertain times. It's great to see Qatar Airways sweetening the deal with a bonus on travel vouchers, the ability to refund to miles, and free destination changes.
Bottom line
It's great to see airlines offer these promotions to their loyal customers. These promotions will help travelers get back in the sky, all while helping them earn valuable awards that can help fuel future travel.
We're expecting airlines to announce more promotions over the summer, and we'll keep updating this page accordingly. Bookmark this page and check back soon for more promotions.
Feature photo by Scott Varley/Digital First Media/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images
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.