Will US Airways Tickets Booked Before Merger Be Valid After?
TPG reader Christina sent me a message on Facebook to ask:
"I have a question regarding the 110,000 mile US Airways round the world ticket in business class. Do I have to complete my travel before the merger with American Airlines, or do I simply need to book my ticket before then?"
Some time during the second quarter of 2015 — my sources tell me mid-May, but don't bet the farm — the US Airways Dividend Miles and American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer programs will fully merge. Once this happens, Dividend Miles will no longer exist.
Christina is smart to be thinking about this, as mergers have a way of bending the rules of space, time, and ticketing. Fortunately, you just need to book the US Airways award ticket before the programs merge, and you'll have until one year after you book to use it. If you have US Airways miles, think about booking award tickets before the merger. AAdvantage is a more customer-friendly program, with one-way awards at half price, but US Airways has a better award chart and better routing rules if you know how to maximize them.
For example, 110,000 Dividend Miles round-trip will get you to Australia and across both oceans, meaning you can stop in Europe on your way and then route home across the Pacific. You can also use Dividend Miles for a 110,000 mile round-trip award to South Africa, which is drastically lower than what you might spend by flying there on American. So use your Dividend miles, and let's all get as much value as we can out of them before the merger.
Just like all good deals, this one will soon come to an end, but on the flip side, once the merger is complete, you'll see some large AAdvantage balances when all your miles are combined.
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook, or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
[card card-name='Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®' card-id='22144516' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app