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If you’ve read any other blog or watched the news in the past few days, you are already probably well aware of the changes that just happened with American Airlines and US Airways in regards to their routing rules, redemption program, ticketing fees, and checked baggage fees.
I’ll give you a brief update, but for a full detail on the changes, I am going to recommend reading these three other blog posts by other bloggers a they have done a great job compiling all the information: View from the Wing, One Mile at a Time, and Dan’s Deals
Redemption Program:
- US Airways has eliminated blackout dates for redeem for a free flight
- US Airways will have a 4-tier award chart starting June 1
- US Airways has upped their business class award redemption from the US to North Asia to 110,000 miles roundtrip (up from 90,000 miles)
- American has increased the price of AAnytime awards for travel starting June 1
- American has eliminated rid of their distance-based awards
- American has eliminated the ability to tack on a stopover as part of a one-way or roundtrip redemption for no additional cost
Baggage Fees:
- American Gold members flying on AA will only get 1 free checked bag (down from 2)
- American Platinum members flying on US Airways will only get 2 free checked bags (down from 3)
- Those paying a full fare or redeeming for an AAnytime award will no longer get any free checked bags (down from 2)
- US Airways Gold and Platinum members flying on US Airways will only get 2 free checked bags (down from 3)
- US Airways Silver members flying on AA will only get 1 checked bag
Ticketing Charges:
- American will now charge $35 (up from $25) to book an award for international tickets via the phone – unfortunately flights on many partner airlines cannot be booked online
While changes happen often in loyalty programs, it is unfortunate that ZERO advance notice was given.
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The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Don’t forget that US is now requiring preferred members to pay a fee when using miles to upgrade (previously waived).