Have some further American Airways AAdvantage miles to spare?
Nicely, if you happen to’re seeking to begin your journey in fashion, the Fort Price-based service has a brand new choice for you. Efficient instantly, top-tier elite standing members can redeem miles to make use of the Flagship First eating facility earlier than departure.
This new choice is a part of American’s “Improve with Miles” program that debuted lately, and the performance of with the ability to redeem miles for Flagship First eating was teased earlier this 12 months.
An American Airways spokesperson informed TPG that the redemption charges are fastened at:
To take care of the exclusivity of the Flagship First eating areas, American will solely let Platinum Professional members redeem miles for entry passes twice per 12 months. Should you additionally attain Govt Platinum standing, you’ll redeem a move for Flagship First eating two further instances.
For these not acquainted, American’s Flagship First eating amenities are the airline’s lounge-within-a-lounge idea at choose airports. This restaurant-style eating expertise debuted in New York in 2017 and has since expanded to Dallas-Fort Price, Los Angeles and Miami.
Through the peak of the pandemic, American shuttered all of its Flagship First eating amenities and has since solely reopened the areas in Dallas-Fort Price and Miami. The outpost in Los Angeles might by no means reopen (it has been “briefly closed” for the reason that early days of COVID-19), whereas the power in New York has been transformed right into a joint-use lounge area for American and British Airways flyers as a part of the redevelopment of John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK)’s Terminal 8.
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To redeem miles for Flagship First eating, log in to your AAdvantage profile. Then, beneath “Improve with Miles” within the rewards hub, you may discover the choice to redeem miles for the move.
Based mostly on TPG’s valuations, 20,000 miles per move equates to $320. This may very well be worthwhile for particular milestone journeys, however for many vacationers, I would advocate saving the miles for flights themselves.
The one wrinkle is that Flagship First eating additionally consists of entry to the Flagship Lounge, so in case you have a extremely lengthy layover, this might make sense. Additionally be aware that you’re going to want a same-day departing boarding move to entry the lounge and that your move gives entry to your rapid household (partner, home companion and/or kids beneath 18) or as much as two company. Kids aged two and older depend as company.
I personally have not been to a Flagship First eating facility this 12 months, however vacationers nonetheless appear to benefit from the above-average desk service with a wide-ranging a la carte menu and high-end drinks. At one level, American was even serving Krug Champagne in these amenities, however that is since been swapped for cheaper bubbly.
Be aware that this selection to redeem miles for Flagship First eating joins the present day move that American sells for its business-class-only Flagship Lounges. These day passes go for $150 or 15,000 miles. Should you’re torn between redeeming miles for a Flagship Lounge move or a Flagship First eating move, the 5,000-mile upcharge for a good meal (and extra personal area) may very well be price it.
Maybe most curiously, the transfer to promote entry to Flagship First eating comes because the airline gears as much as formally retire long-haul and premium transcontinental top quality. The phased retirement is slated to begin early subsequent 12 months when the Airbus A321T and Boeing 777-300ER — the 2 jets that at present function top quality — get reconfigured into completely different seating layouts.
American hasn’t shared what it’s going to do with its Flagship First eating amenities as soon as the product is not marketed, however promoting entry to top-tier elites is a simple technique to monetize the area within the meantime.
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