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Spectacular Domestic American Airlines AAward AAvailability

July 08, 2018
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3 min read
AA American Airlines 787-9 789 Main Cabin cabin view
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Since I live on the road, I fly a lot. Because of this, I search award availability daily — and usually many times per day. And today, I'm seeing some jaw-dropping AAward AAvailability on domestic routes. Every award option that I've searched now through March has become available.

In addition to the widespread award availability, the other very surprising aspect about the options themselves is that they, well, don't suck. As part of a change that AAdvantage made in December 2017, we have been seeing more award availability, but the available awards require an extra stop or an extra-long layover. For example, this is what I'm used to finding:

But, that's not the case with the awards that I'm seeing today. For routes that I've been searching, the award options have been the best-available connections.

For example, I'm likely flying from Atlanta (ATL) to San Jose (SJC) on September 12. Since this is a route that requires one stop, I assumed many award options would be two-stops or require a long layover. That's not the case. Right now, I'm seeing a stunning 23 one-stop saver award options and 12 of these options have connections of less than two hours.

Holidays Included

American Airlines has deservedly gotten a lot of flak for way, way overcharging for awards around the holidays. While we are still seeing 75,000 one-way economy awards on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I'm finding the dates around and between holidays are eerily wide open with saver award availability:

Reduced Mileage Awards

If you have an eligible credit card, don't forget to book as Reduced Mileage Awards if your origin or destination is on the current version of the program. And, remember that Executive Platinum elites get free upgrades even on award flights. Combining these two aspects, I regularly fly in first class on 8,750-mile one-way awards.

Use Iberia Avios

This award availability is amazing news for those of us that just got a stash of Iberia Avios from the 90,000 bonus Avios promotion. A great use of Iberia Avios is for American Airlines domestic awards. Unlike British Airways Avios, Iberia Avios doesn't price awards per segment but based on the total flight length. However, you will need to commit to a round-trip award to book with Iberia Avios.

Round-trip domestic awards start at 12,000 Avios for itineraries totaling less than 1,000 miles. This is 15,000 miles less than American Airlines charges for the same itinerary.

Round-trip flights that total between 1,000 and 2,000 flight miles cost just 17,000 Avios vs. 25,000 AAdvantage miles:

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Transcontinental nonstop flights — and other flights between 4,000 and 5,000 total miles — cost just 28,000 Avios round-trip:

There's no telling how long this AAmazing AAward AAvailability will be around. So, hurry up and book your award flights now!

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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • 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.