The other day I wrote about American being the Official Airline and a Super Sponsor at SXSW and I mentioned that they’re offering a discount code that’s good for 10% off on travel to Austin during festival. A reader wrote in to ask if using the discount code would preclude earning BusinessExtrAA points.

There have been some reports of people being denied BusinessExtrAA points when they used a discount code, while others have reported using a discount code and still receiving their points. The SXSW page at AA.com doesn’t mention it, so I reached out to Katy on the @AmericanAir team to ask for some clarification.

She confirmed that you can use the discount code and still receive your points. She also provided some clarification as to why discount codes might affect earning BusinessExtrAA points.

It turns out that discount codes are often the result of group discounts or negotiated rates, and that’s why sometimes using a code may not qualify for BusinessExtrAA points. It varies by group and by organization, but typically discount codes don’t allow for earning points.

The SXSW discount is an exception – so if you’re planning to go, you can save money and have your points too!

If you plan to be there for the first weekend of Interactive sessions, today is the last day to book your reservation and take advantage of 21 day advance purchase fares.  Use promo code 6533EH when making your reservation. Visit AA.com/SXSW for complete details.

Have a great weekend!

Photo: Saturday morning in Austin
Credit: Stuart Seeger on Flickr

If you’re going to SXSW next month, it’s a little late to save money on a hotel room. The fun starts March 8 and runs through the 17th, and if you haven’t already found a place to stay, expect to pay Midtown Manhattan prices (or worse).

For example, the Holiday Inn out by the Arboretum is going for $500 a night!  I’ve never stayed there, but I’m pretty sure it’s not worth the money (but at least you’ll earn 2 AAdvantage miles per $1).  The Renaissance, way out on the Northwest side of town and away from everything, still has some rooms – but for about $600 a night.

A few of the Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn properties have rooms in the $350 – $400 range. Considering it’s a month before SXSW, I guess $400 is a value, but it kind of stings when you think about what what you get for the money.

And if you want to stay someplace nice?  You’re probably out of luck. The Driskill  and the Four Seasons are booked and unless you’re traveling to Austin on a Gulfstream, the chances of being able to get a room at either place at this late date are pretty slim.

I booked my hotel reservation back in September, and truthfully, I waited too long to get a good price.  I was talking a friend the other day and he used Airbnb last month to rent a townhouse and got a pretty good deal.  If you’re looking to save some money, that might be an option to consider.

At least you can save money on the airfare!

American is the Official Airline (and a Super Sponsor) of SXSW 2013. This is a first for them, and considering how much they’ve accomplished with their social media and their mobile strategies, it’s makes sense for them to partner with SXSW.

Here’s the discount code:

SXSW attendees are eligible for discounted travel on American Airlines and American Eagle flights to Austin for SXSW when booked directly with American. For more information or to make reservations visit American Airlines online at www.aa.com and enter Promotion Code: 6533EH.

Use the code to save 10% on travel to Austin during the conference.  There’s still time to book you travel and get a good deal.  I was able to find $338 round-trip fares from SFO, and with the discount the fare drops to around $299.  Many of the best fares require a 21 day advance purchase, so it’s probably best not to delay.   Go here for complete details. 

Just wanted to bring this to your attention to this post over at the UnRoadWarrior: 10% off Fall travel to multiple cities on AA.

American Airlines (AA) has a few 10% off discount codes for travel to certain cities in September.

Go here for the full list of cities and discount codes.

Editors note: May 12, 2011 (Offer good through June 13, 2011. Use promotion code AADV30 when you purchase online.)

Save 30% on a New Admirals Club Membership
AAdvantage members can save 30% on a new individual annual Admirals Club membership when purchased online. Use promotion code AADV30 and click on the Recalculate button at time of purchase. Plus enter for a chance to win an Admirals Club One-Day Pass.

American Airlines is sponsoring a new “Transform Your Airport Experience With An Admirals Club Membership” sweepstakes with the winner getting a lifetime membership to the Admirals Club.  You even get a 20% discount code you can use on any new membership just for entering.

They’ve even put together a fancy, Flash driven micro-site explaining the benefits of Admirals Club membership.

Some details:

Enter for your chance to win a lifetime Admirals Club membership.
We’re offering one lucky traveler the chance of a lifetime, literally. Purchase an Admirals Club membership by December 15, 2010, and use promotion code “LIFE” at time of purchase for 20% off* a new annual membership. You will also be entered for a chance to win the comfort, assurance, and unparalleled service of an Admirals Club membership for life.

Read all about it here, get all the rules here, or go here to enter.

Editors note: May 12, 2011 (Offer good through June 13, 2011. Use promotion code AADV30 when you purchase online.)

Save 30% on a New Admirals Club Membership
AAdvantage members can save 30% on a new individual annual Admirals Club membership when purchased online. Use promotion code AADV30 and click on the Recalculate button at time of purchase. Plus enter for a chance to win an Admirals Club One-Day Pass.

Last month I wrote about my dilemma in trying to decide whether I should take advantage of a 20% Admirals Club membership discount that American was offering through the end of September or hold out to see if a better offer came along.  I went ahead and signed up rather than wait any longer (it was the now expired offer of 3,000 AAdvantage bonus miles that persuaded me).

Anyway, American has extended the promotion and is offering the same 20% percent discount if you sign up for a new Admirals Club membership by December 31, 2010.  Use promotion code NYE when you sign up online.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s also the time of the year for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world.  Since 2005, more than a million people have participated.  The purpose of the Komen Race for the Cure Series is to “raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease”.

American Airlines has been a partner of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for 26 years, and this year in support of their relationship, American is offering double miles for every dollar donated to the foundation and a 10% discount for travel to attend one of the 100 race events held in the Untied States and around the world.  This is from their “Join Us’ website:

As the official airline of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, American is pleased to offer a 10% discount off any published fare to your local Race. The discount applies to flights three days prior to your Race, and three days after. Reservations can be made on-line (using the booking tool on this page, or on the AA.com home page). Simply enter the appropriate code in the “Promotion Code” box. If you have not yet received information about your Race code, contact your local Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Affiliate Chapter. Reservations can also be made by calling our Meeting Services Desk at 1-800-433-1790, mentioning STARfile S20966

More details here about the discount code.

You can go here for donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or go here to learn how you can help or to find a race in your town.

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Tahiti, now is a good time to use your miles.  American and partner, Air Tahiti Nui, are offering a reduced mileage award to Tahiti that will cost you 20% fewer miles.  You must book your travel by October 15, 2010 and travel between September 15, 2010 and March 31, 2011.

Use Fewer Miles For Your Flight, Earn Miles For Your Hotel And Experience Tahiti

Travel between Los Angeles and Papeete, Tahiti for 20% fewer miles AND earn bonus miles when you stay with SPM Hotels in Tahiti

Flight Award Offer:

Airline:

Air Tahiti Nui

Award:

Reduced Miles Award

Dates:

Book between September 15, 2010 and October 15, 2010.

Travel between September 15, 2010 and March 31, 2011.

Offer:

For a limited time, AAdvantage members can book an Economy Class AAdvantage award for travel between Los Angeles and Papeete, Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui for only 59,000 miles round-trip, or travel in Business class for only 99,000 miles round trip.

This is a savings of 16,000 miles round-trip in Economy Class and 26,000 in Business Class off the standard award!

Award travel embargo dates apply to travel in Business Class as follows:

Flights from Papeete, Tahiti to Los Angeles: December 18, 2010 – January 7, 2011.

Flights from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti: December 18, 2010 – December 29, 2010.

To book your flight award reservation, contact American Airlines Reservations at 1-800-882-8880 ($20 AAdvantage ticketing charge applies).

Terms and Conditions:

Hotel group South Pacific Management is also participating by offering 2,500 bonus miles.  An advanced reservation is required using code AAS4P3-ABFFOC. Same dates apply.

Hotel Bonus Miles Offer:

Award:

2,500 AAdvantage bonus miles per stay

Dates:

Book between September 15, 2010 and October 15, 2010.

Complete your stay between September 15, 2010 and March 31, 2011.

Offer:

AAdvantage members who stay at any of the South Pacific Management Hotels listed below can earn:

• 2,500 AAdvantage Bonus Miles per stay

• A 4th night free

• Complimentary Daily American Breakfast for two

This offer is valid for all bungalows and room categories at the following Tahitian properties:

Manava Suite Resort Tahiti

Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa

Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa

Huahine Te Tiare Beach Resort

Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort

Manihi Pearl Beach resort

Advanced reservations are required using code AAS4P3-ABFFOC and may be made through your travel agent or directly with SPM hotels via email (res@spmhotels.pf), phone at 011-689-50-84-45 or fax at 011-689-43-17-86 (standard toll charges apply).

See all the details here.

Avis Award: Save up to 35% with every Avis rental plus earn up to 3,000 bonus miles

Dates: September 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 February 15, 2011 OFFER EXTENDED

Save up to 35% on all rentals with Avis in the US and Canada when you use your American Airlines Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number  K817165.

In addition, receive big miles depending on how long you rent with Avis :

• Rent for 1-2 days and receive 1000 bonus miles (plus your additional base miles)
• Rent for 3 days or more and receive 3000 bonus miles (plus your additional base miles)

Use coupon number MUAA022 and your AAdvantage number to receive your miles. Terms & Conditions apply.

Terms and Conditions

• 1000 and 3000 bonus miles are valid until December 31, 2010 February 15, 2011 on a qualifying rental at participating Avis airport locations in the United States and Canada.
• Offer of 1000 bonus miles is valid on daily and weekend rentals with a 1-2 day length of rental. Mention coupon MUAA022 to get this offer.
• Offer of 3000 bonus miles is valid on daily, weekly and weekend rentals with a 3 day minimum length of rental. Mention coupon MUAA022 to get this offer.
• Offer valid at participating Avis airport locations in the U.S. and Canada.
• Offer valid on all car groups.
• An advance reservation is required.
• Offer may not be used with any other coupon, promotion or offer except your AWD discount.
• The savings of up to 35% applies to the time and mileage charges only. Use AWD K817165 to receive this discount.
• Taxes, concession recovery fees, vehicle license recovery fee, customer facility charges ($10/contract in CA) and fuel charges are extra.
• Optional items such as LDW ($35.99/day or less) and other surcharges may apply and are extra.
• Offer is subject to vehicle availability at the time of rental and may not be available on some rates at some times, including some online rates at Avis.com
• Car rental return restrictions may apply.
• Offer subject to change without notice.
• Holiday and other blackout periods may apply.
• Renter must meet Avis age, driver and credit requirements. Minimum rental age may vary by location. An additional daily surcharge may apply for renters under 25 years old.

• Rental must begin by December 31, 2010. Extended till FEBRUARY 15, 2011