American Airlines AAdvantage awards to Europe increase in miles price on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Business Class award travel increases 15% from 50,000 miles to 57,500 miles each way. First Class award travel to Europe increases 35% from 62,500 miles to 85,000 miles each way.
Loyalty Traveler – AAdvantage 2016 Business and First Class American Airlines Award Chart changes
There is currently good availability for Business Class award travel flying all American Airlines operated aircraft for low tax frequent flyer awards from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Europe during Thanksgiving and New Year’s holiday weeks.
American Airlines AAdvantage Business Class
San Francisco – London LHR Monday November 21
50,000 miles + $5.60
The more desirable business class aircraft is found flying LAX-LHR on the 77W aircraft with the best American Airlines Business Class seat for transatlantic travel.
Loyalty Traveler – Review: AA LHR-LAX 777-300ER Business Class using my first SWU upgrade (Feb 8, 2016).
American Airlines AAdvantage Business Class on 777-300ER
Los Angeles LAX – London LHR Thursday December 22
50,000 miles + $5.60
This Business Class award ticket will increase to 57,500 miles next week.
Seasonal Date Changes for AAdvantage Off-Peak Economy Saver Awards
Unfortunately, there is far less availability flying AA operated flights from LAX or SFO to Europe on economy saver rewards next Thanksgiving or New Year’s. The changes next week reduce the current October 15 to May 15 off-peak 20,000 miles each way awards to 22,500 miles. AAdvantage changes also mean the new off-peak season dates are cut by half to January 10 – March 14, November 1 – December 14. There will be no off-peak economy award availability through AAdvantage for the New Year’s holiday period December 2016. That is why it is important to book AAdvantage awards now if you want to travel during the December-January holiday period on lower priced off-peak saver economy awards.
British Airways across the Atlantic increases award taxes to hundreds of dollars, even for economy class award travel.
AAdvantage Business Class award San Jose SJC to London LHR
50,000 miles + $479.90 (British Airways operated flight)
Sunday December 18, 2016
Loyalty Traveler – AAdvantage Europe off-peak awards only 20,000 miles each way October 15 to May 15 (Oct 15, 2015). This post shows how travel via London, British Airways or FinnAir impact the taxes on award tickets.
Flying back from London LHR is also where taxes shoot up AAdvantage award price.
AAdvantage Business Class award flying AA operated flights
London LHR – Los Angeles LAX nonstop
50,000 miles + $283.26
You can reduce the cost of award travel flying back from a different city in Europe on American Airlines operated aircraft.
AAdvantage First Class award flying AA operated flights
Frankfurt FRA – Dallas DFW – Oklahoma City – Los Angeles
62,500 miles + $115.46
Saturday December 31, 2016
First Class AAdvantage award tickets see the largest miles increase March 22 when USA-Europe First Class goes from 62,500 miles one-way to 85,000 miles one way.
If you have miles, there are still a few days left to save on 2016-2017 First Class award bookings. The Business class increase is much smaller at an additional 7,500 miles each way when award price increases from 50,000 to 57,500 miles.
Good news is there is availability for holiday travel next November and December 2016 redeeming your AAdvantage miles for American Airlines flights in Business and First Class with far lower taxes than British Airways award travel to and from Europe.
