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Tips: Europe

How to Use American Airline Miles on British Airways
08/08/2007 | Read/Post Comments (5) | Permalink
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When the US government approved the partnership between American and British Airways, it made the carriers agree that American’s airline miles would not be valid for transatlantic travel on British Airways, and that travel on British Airways would not earn American’s AAdvantage airline miles.

This is too bad, because British Airways has much better Business and First Class seats than American.

The way around this disAAdvantage is to use American’s airline miles to fly British Airways from Canada or the Caribbean, as the ban only applies to flights originating in the US.


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British Airways flies to London from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal; several Caribbean cities too (you’ll get the American Airlines connecting ticket free).

We checked numerous dates from British Airways’ Canadian gateways and found very good availability.

Ask for a stopover and you can have a nice side-trip at one of the Canadian gateways. Unfortunately, Caribbean stopovers not allowed.

Route through Canada or the Caribbean and the cost is the same -- Business Class costs 90,000 airline miles, and First Class costs 125,000 airline miles.


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Comments
Posted by: JArlidge | 12:13 PM CT August 26

Flying first class between Hawaii and the mainland. Hawaiian airlines gives the best service, the attendants call you by your first name, the food is prepared by one of hawaii's top chefs Bev Gannon, you have your own personal movie dvd, their are orchids in the cabin. United first class has no leg rests and movies are hard to see on high small screens. Food is not as good. American would be the next choice although we found on first from LA to New York the planes are old and first class is not that classy. Aloha airlines is very cramped and can not really be considered first class as planes are small.

Posted by: JWavell | 2:55 PM CT September 23

My first/business on Delta from Hawaii to LAX was the worst possible. No foot rests, no food and little service. It was a "ripoff".

Posted by: JKozub | 10:13 PM CT February 15

What's the best way to get an upgrade on AA from full fare economy to business, with over 150,000 miles earned? Economy ticket bought and dates reserved. JJK

Posted by: JKozub | 10:13 PM CT February 15

What's the best way to get an upgrade on AA from full fare economy to business, with over 150,000 miles earned? Economy ticket bought and dates reserved. JJK

Posted by: AHull | 2:21 PM CT September 9

British Air from Canada is the way to fly Business Class to London. The seats go to 180 degrees compared to AA 150. Alan

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