A few days ago, I wrote about American Airlines and their user-friendly AWARD MAP tool that allows you to find discounted award routes. Simply, input your departure airport, the maximum amount of miles you want to spend, and search.
As you can imagine, airlines are starting to feel the heat as the coronavirus continues to actively spread and the (known) number of cases increase. Airline bookings are down and airlines have cut capacity out of fear and uncertainty.
Although airlines have begun to reduce prices, I find it interesting that airlines haven’t been more creative in implementing better strategies, particularly airlines that already have dynamic pricing. For example, decreasing the numbers of miles required for an award ticket may have the potential to fill seats that would have otherwise remained empty.
Over the past few days, I’ve watched countless business class cabins on international flights depart COMPLETELY EMPTY.
OPPORTUNITY FOR BEACH VACATIONS?
I understand the fear so this “opportunity” may not be for everyone. But today as I was searching AA’s AWARD MAP, I noticed that I could travel to the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico all for 10,000 miles one-way.
For example…
- Atlanta (ATL) – Grand Cayman (GCM)
- Atlanta (ATL) – Bermuda/ Hamilton, Bermuda (BDA)
- Atlanta (ATL) – Providenciales, Turks And Caicos Islands (PLS)
- Atlanta (ATL) – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ)
- Atlanta (ATL) – St Maarten, Sint Maarten (SXM)
- Atlanta (ATL) – Belize City, Belize (BZE)
- Atlanta (ATL) – Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)
- Atlanta (ATL) – Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
- Atlanta (ATL) – Panama City, Panama (PTY)
However, if you’d prefer to stay closer to home, I’m still seeing a lot of domestic coach award space for just 5000 miles each way. For example, a sample search from Atlanta to Los Angeles resulted in a 6000 mile award ticket and a search from Atlanta to Honolulu Hawaii resulted in a ticket for 12,000 miles. STEAL!!!
HOW DO I GET AMERICAN MILES?
If you’re in need of American AAdvantage miles, consider the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard [READ MORE] as you can earn 65,000 American Airlines miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
FINAL STAMP
Given what is happening in the travel industry right now with the coronavirus, these rates are not for everyone. However, if you seek a bit more adventure and you have some miles available, I would recommend placing your origin in the AWARD MAP, completing a search or two.
If you don’t take advantage of these sales, the interactive award search calendar is a great tool to have in your pocket when everyone is not in a panic and you have some AA miles available.
Is anyone planning to take advantage of these AA sales?
1TattedPassport 