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American's AAdvantage is now JetSmart’s loyalty program; more flights qualify for AA for miles
Edward Russell
Contributor
Edward Russell is a contributor for TPG. An AvGeek at heart, he covered the airline business at FlightGlobal for eight years and previously covered finance in New York and Hong Kong.
Sept. 24, 2024
•
3 min read
American's AAdvantage is now JetSmart’s loyalty program; more flights qualify for AA for miles
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Members of American Airlines AAdvantage have a new option in South America via budget airline JetSmart.
AAdvantage members can earn miles — including tier Loyalty Points — on all flights operated by the Chilean discount airline. And, importantly, they can earn points on trips booked directly with JetSmart and unconnected to a flight on American Airlines.
Mileage redemptions on JetSmart will begin later this year, though the ability for American customers to earn miles and elite-status loyalty points on JetSmart flights is now live. Previously, AA customers earned miles for JetSmart flights only if for codeshare flights booked via American. Now, starting today, all JetSmart flights are eligible to earn miles. (Accrual chart below.)
“Together, the airlines are creating the broadest network in North and South America, offering more ways for customers to earn and use their miles,” American said in a statement. “The partnership enables American to strengthen and expand its South American network, uniquely providing customers with enhanced travel options and ultra-low fares.”
JetSmart flies an average of 87 daily flights to 28 cities across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Colombia, Cirium Diio schedules show. It connects with American primarily at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru; and Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, Chile.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier bought a 35.4% stake in JetSmart from owner Indigo Partners in late 2022 as part of a broader strategic partnership with the airline. American and JetSmart implemented a limited codeshare on certain flights in 2023.
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The tie-up came after longtime American partner LATAM severed ties with the U.S. carrier in 2020 in favor of an equity partnership and joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
As part of the American-JetSmart deal, the South American airline is adopting AAdvantage as its own loyalty program. JetSmart CEO Estuardo Ortiz said in March that he expects the move will mean “more passengers, [and] it's higher yields” for his airline.
American executives have said that by adding JetSmart to AAdvantage, they will increase the utility of the loyalty program — already one of the world’s largest — to its many members in South America.
Gol Airlines in Brazil is also an American Airlines and AAdvantage partner.
It is not unheard of for an airline to adopt another carrier’s loyalty plan as its own. Finnair adopted Avios as its loyalty currency earlier this year, and Copa Airlines used United Airlines’ United MileagePlus as its loyalty program until 2015.
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Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.