Probably the most significant change to AAdvantage economy class awards as of March 22, 2016 are changes to MileSAAver Off Peak season dates. Currently the price for an Off Peak USA-Europe economy class award is 20,000 miles from October 15 to May 15 on American Airlines flights. This 7-month period for discount awards at 20,000 miles is a strong competitive edge for AAdvantage over Mileage Plus and Delta awards to Europe. The new Off Peak season dates for Europe reduce the availability of the 22,500 miles one way discount award in 2016 to about half the dates of the current 7-month period.
USA to Europe Frequent Flyer Awards Economy Class
American Airlines = 20,000 miles MileSAAver Off Peak (current price rises to 22,500 miles effective March 22, 2016. MileSAAver standard award level is 30,000 miles each way and unchanged.)
Delta Airlines = 30,000 miles or more.
United Airlines = 30,000 miles Saver Award
American Airlines increases to 22,500 miles each way for MileSAAver Off Peak economy class awards between the USA and Europe as of March 22, 2016. The miles increase is relatively minor at 12.5%. The bigger change is the reduction in dates for Off Peak MileSAAver award travel between the USA and Europe.
New Off Peak Dates for USA – Europe discount economy awards
Europe: January 10 – March 14, November 1 – December 14 at 22,500 miles each way beginning March 22, 2016. Current award level is 20,000 miles for Oct 15 to May 15.
The dates for Off Peak travel have been reduced by half. December 15 to January 9 cuts out discount award holiday travel. Two months from March 15 to May 15 are eliminated. That is a big adjustment to discount awards for Europe travel.
Other seasonal changes for AAdvantage Off Peak Discount Economy Class Awards
Hawaii Current Off Peak Seasons at 17,500 miles each way
Hawaii: January 12 – March 13, August 22 – December 15
Hawaii March 22, 2016 Off Peak Seasons Change 20,000 miles
To Hawaii: December 29 – March 12, August 11 – November 18, November 24 – December 10
From Hawaii: January 7 – March 19, August 18 – November 27, December 3 – December 25
Caribbean Current Off Peak Seasons 12,500 miles
- Caribbean and Mexico: September 7 – November 14
- Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela at 15,000 miles: January 16 – June 14, September 7 – November 14
March 22, 2016 Off Peak Seasons Changes
Caribbean, Mexico and Central America: September 7 – November 14, April 27 – May 20. Central America sees price drop from 15,000 miles to 12,500 miles each way.
South America 1: January 16 – June 14, September 7 – November 14. Price increase to 17,500 miles each way.
South America 2 Current Off Peak Seasons:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay: March 1 – May 31, August 16 – November 30 at 20,000 miles each way.
March 22, 2016 Off Peak Seasons Change
- South America 2 Off Peak Awards eliminated. All South America Region 2 awards are 30,000 miles each way at MileSAAver level.
Europe Current Off Peak Seasons 20,000 miles each way.
Europe: October 15 – May 15
Europe March 22, 2016 Off Peak Seasons Change 22,500 miles each way.
Europe: January 10 – March 14, November 1 – December 14
Japan/Korea Current Off Peak Seasons 25,000 miles each way.
Japan and South Korea: October 1 – April 30
Asia March 22, 2016 Off Peak Seasons Change
- Asia Region 1 (Japan): 32,500 miles each way.
To Japan: January 1 – April 30, July 1 – November 30
From Japan: January 16 – April 19, May 2 – 31, September 1 – December 31 - Asia Region 1 (Korea): 32,500 miles each way
To Korea: January 1 – April 30, July 1 – November 30
From Korea: January 16 – May 31, September 1 – December 31 - Asia Region 2 (China & Hong Kong): 32,500 miles each way
To China/Hong Kong: January 1 – April 30, July 1 – September 30, October 11 – November 30
From China/Hong Kong: February 1 – May 31, September 1 – 19, October 2 – December 31
The addition of China and Hong Kong to off-peak awards is the only award dropping in price from the current 35,000 MileSAAver award to OffPeak MileSAAver award at 32,500 miles.
Region Definitions
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Caribbean: includes Bermuda and The Bahamas
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South America Region 1: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
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South America Region 2: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
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Asia Region 1: Japan, Korea
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Asia Region 2: China, Hong Kon
Loyalty Traveler – American Airlines AAdvantage 2016 changes with new award charts on aa.com (Nov 17, 2015) overall changes and look at Economy Award chart changes for March 22, 2016.
Loyalty Traveler – AAdvantage 2016 Business and First Class American Airlines Award Chart changes (Nov 18, 2015)
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