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American Airlines Just Launched Its Premium Economy Award Chart

Jan. 24, 2019
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5 min read
AA 772 777-200 Premium Economy window seats
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Over the past few years, American Airlines has aggressively rolled out true premium economy cabins to much of its international aircraft fleet. By the beginning of December, AA surpassed 100 widebody aircraft with premium economy.

However, since its introduction as a separate class of service in May 2017, no amount of miles could reserve you a seat in premium economy. Instead, travelers either had to purchase a premium economy ticket, pay for a cash upgrade or get a free day-of-departure upgrade granted to top-tier elites.

Finally this Wednesday, American Airlines shared that it would be adding premium economy awards on Thursday. Sure enough, premium economy awards were just added to American Airlines' award chart.

Premium Economy Award Chart

For premium economy awards on American Airlines flights, the "MileSAAver" award prices are going to be:

  • Alaska: 25,000 miles one-way
  • Hawaii: 50,000 miles one-way
  • South America Region 2: 40,000 miles one-way (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela)
  • Europe: 40,000 miles one-way
  • Asia Region 1: 50,000 miles one-way (Japan, Korea)
  • Asia Region 2: 50,000 miles one-way (China, Hong Kong)
  • South Pacific: 65,000 miles one-way

For South America and Europe, these are very reasonable prices. This is in line with what I've noticed with American Airlines premium economy cash fares; AA is pricing these at a reasonable premium over economy to get travelers to pay just a little more for the upgrade.

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But I'm baffled by the award prices for Alaska (25,000 miles each way), Hawaii (50,000) and the South Pacific (65,000). I can't see too many travelers paying the huge surcharge over economy -- and almost business class rates -- for premium economy.

Also, it's important to note that these are the award prices you'll pay if American Airlines releases saver award space. "AAnytime" awards are going to cost more, but hopefully you won't have to settle for redeeming for these higher award rates. However, for completeness, here's the full premium economy award chart for awards to/from the US contiguous 48 states:

From the Contiguous

United States to:		MileSAAverAAnytime

Level 1		AAnytime

Level 2
Alaska
25,000
40,000
55,000
Hawaii
50,000
65,000
85,000
South America Region 2
40,000
80,000
105,000
Europe
40,000
75,000
110,000
Asia Region 1
50,000
80,000
105,000
Asia Region 2
50,000
85,000
115,000
South Pacific
65,000
130,000
155,000

What's Missing

While it's great to have the option to book American Airlines premium economy flights with miles, this award chart update is missing an element: premium economy awards on partner airlines. From Japan Airlines to Qantas and Iberia to British Airways, many of AA's Oneworld partners have premium economy cabins that are still not bookable with AAdvantage miles. And there's no sign of when these awards will be introduced.

Consolidated Award Chart

Since the beginning of 2019, American Airlines has aligned the Canadian region with the contiguous US, sharply increased premium cabin award prices to Hawaii and now added premium economy awards. Putting all of those changes together, here's the latest consolidated "MileSAAver" award chart by cabin for American Airlines-operated flights to/from the contiguous United States:

From the Contiguous United States to:Economy

Off Peak		EconomyPremium

Economy		Business /

Domestic First		First Class
Contiguous 48 US & Canada*
n/a
12,500
n/a
25,000
50,000
Contiguous 48 US & Canada

(nonstop flights under 500 miles)^
n/a
7,500
n/a
15,000
n/a
Alaska*
n/a
15,000
25,000
30,000
55,000
Hawaii**
20,000
22,500
50,000
55,000
80,000
Caribbean*
12,500
15,000
n/a
25,000
50,000
Mexico*
12,500
15,000
n/a
25,000
50,000
Central America*
12,500
15,000
n/a
25,000
50,000
South American Region 1*
17,500
20,000
n/a
30,000
55,000
South American Region 2
n/a
30,000
40,000
57,500
85,000
Europe
22,500
30,000
40,000
57,500
85,000
Asia Region 1
32,500
35,000
50,000
60,000
80,000
Asia Region 2
32,500
35,000
50,000
70,000
110,000
South Pacific
n/a
40,000
65,000
80,000
110,000

^Valid only on non-stop flights.

*If the award includes travel on an aircraft that offers lie-flat seats in the U.S. and Canada, the Business/First levels will be 7,500 miles higher than what is shown in the chart above.

**If the award includes travel on an aircraft that offers lie-flat seats, the MileSAAver Levels will be 7,500 miles higher; AAnytime Levels will be 20,000 miles higher than what is shown.

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

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  • 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.
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  • $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.