American has launched several new routes and (just as they often do) they’re offering bonus AAdvantage miles to promote them. But this time they’ve made the offer a little sweeter.

Typically when they start new service between two cities they’ll offer double redeemable miles, but with these latest promotions they’re doing something new and offering double miles for main cabin fares, and triple miles for paid first class travel.

Earn Up To Triple Miles Between Miami And San Diego

Offer: Beginning June 12, American Airlines will offer daily nonstop service between Miami and San Diego, giving you more choices. To celebrate, you can earn triple miles for travel in First Class, or double miles for travel in the Main Cabin

Flight # 1065
Departs Miami 6:50 p.m
Arrives San Diego 8:55 p.m.

Flight # 1042
Departs San Diego 9:45 p.m
Arrives Miami 5:40 a.m. (next day)

Offer Dates: June 12, 2013, through September 15, 2013

Promotion Code: SAN3X

Register prior to travel. Here’s a link.

Round-trip travel between SAN and MIA earns 4,534 base miles, so this is probably the offer that will most tempt mileage runners.

There are some sub $400 main cabin fares available for late Summer travel, and the lowest first class fare range between $1,000 and $1,100 much of the Summer.

First Class Fares

Coach Fares

If you’re a mileage runner that’s focused purely on Elite Qualifying Miles, then this offer probably won’t appeal to you: at best you’re paying nearly 7.72 cents per EQM. But if you’re looking to earn some elite miles and also earn a lot of redeemable miles, then depending upon your status level and fare, you can earn earn almost enough miles for a round-trip domestic ticket, or bring down your cost per mile to about 2.57 cents per mile.

First Class Here’s a breakdown of the base miles, 50% class of service bonus, triple miles bonus, and elite miles (if applicable)

Coach Here’s a breakdown of the base miles, double miles bonus, and elite miles (if applicable)

Here are the other Double and Triple Bonus AAdvantage Miles Offers:

Earn Up To Triple Miles Between Chicago And Portland, Oregon

Offer: Beginning June 12, we will offer daily nonstop service between Chicago and Portland, Oregon, giving you more choices.

To celebrate, you can earn triple miles for travel in First Class, or double miles for travel in the Main Cabin.

Flight # 2027
Departs Chicago 10:10 a.m.
Arrives Portland 12:30 p.m.
Flight # 2057
Departs Chicago 3:50 p.m.
Arrives Portland 6:10 p.m.

Flight # 358
Departs Portland 7:10 a.m.
Arrives Chicago 1:05 p.m.
Flight # 2040
Departs Portland 1:15 p.m.
Arrives Chicago 7:10 p.m.

Offer Dates: June 12, 2013, through September 15, 2013

Promotion Code: PDX3X

Register prior to travel. Here’s a link.

New Route Between Los Angeles and Eugene, Oregon

Offer: Starting on June 12, you can fly nonstop between Los Angeles and Eugene, Oregon. This service will be offered twice daily on a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ aircraft (operated by SkyWest Airlines).

To celebrate, we’re offering double miles every time you fly this new route through September 15.

Offer Dates: June 12, 2013, through September 15, 2013

Promotion Code: EUG2X.

Register prior to traveling. Here’s a link.

New Nonstop Flight Between Los Angeles and Redmond, Oregon

Offer: Starting on June 12, you can also fly nonstop between Los Angeles and Redmond, Oregon. This flight will be operated once each day on a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ aircraft (operated by SkyWest Airlines).

You can earn double miles every time you fly this new route through September 15.

Offer Dates: June 12, 2013, through September 15, 2013

Promotion Code: RDM2X

Register before you travel. Here’s a link.

I’ve never flown in or out of Houston, but I’ve always imagined that the boarding process at IAH must go pretty quickly. I figure that folks in Texas’ largest city board a plane a lot like they drive, and that they just get in a line and start pushing the person in front of them onto the plane.

American starts service this week between Houston and New York JFK and that means they’ll be competing against United.

Nobody from American has asked for my advice, but if they did I’d tell them to forget Wi-fi and inflight entertainment systems.  If they want to attract market share in Houston they should just install fake gas pedals at every seat.  There’s nothing Houstonians enjoy  more than pressing the pedal to the floor….they’d dominate IAH/JFK!

Well, rather than installing gas pedals on their airplanes, American has decided to offer Double AAdvantage Miles:

Earn Double Miles Flying Between New York And Houston

Participating Airlines: American Airlines

Award: Bonus Miles

Offer: We’re kicking off 2013 by adding new routes to our ever-expanding network, making it easier than ever to travel throughout the United States and beyond. Starting April 2, 2013, we’ll offer nonstop service between New York (JFK) and Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH). Fly our new route and you’ll take home double AAdvantage miles for travel through June 30, 2013.

Offer Dates: April 2, 2013 through June 30, 2013

Promotion Code: NYIAH

Registration is required before you travel.  Go here for complete details.

If you didn’t see Bernie when it was in theaters, it’s definitely worth adding to your Netflix queue. Jack Black normally plays Jack Black, but in this movie he plays a cheerful, well liked, Gospel singing, undertaker in the small town East Texas town of Carthage that murders the mean and unpopular old millionaire widow of the town’s banker (played by Shirley MacLaine).

He was so popular and she was so disliked, that the District Attorney (played by Matthew McConaughey), afraid that the State wouldn’t be able to get a fair trial, did the unthinkable and had the trial moved.

It’s movie is based on a true story and was inspired by a 1998 Texas Monthly article that was written by one of the film’s writers, Skip Hollandsworth. It was co-written and directed by Austin’s own Richard Linklater, who also wrote and directed School of Rock.

It’s a great film and a Jack Black is amazing. The writing really captures life in Texas, they get all the details right. The film uses actual townspeople from Carthage and one of the funniest parts of the movie is when one of the town’s citizens explains how “Texas is really 5 states”.

It’s kind of stretch to say that this clip is pertinent to this new Double AAdvantage Miles promo from American, but the description of Texas is so funny (and true in way) that the offer gave me a slim excuse to share!

Anyway, American will soon start service between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Beaumont, Texas (if you’re wondering, Beaumont is located down on the “Carcinogen Coast”), so to promote the new route they’re offering Double AAdvantage Miles:

Offer: Beginning February 14, when you fly nonstop between Dallas/Fort Worth and Beaumont, Texas, you can earn double AAdvantage miles. Learn more about the special introductory fare available for travel booked by February 21.

Offer Dates: February 14, 2013 – May 15, 2013

Promotion Code: BPT2X

American is offering four flights each way.

From DFW to Beaumont

From Beaumont to DFW

Registration is required before you travel using promo code BPT2X. Go here for complete details.

American just announced new service to one of my favorite towns, Columbia, Missouri:

Offer: Beginning February 14, when you fly nonstop between Dallas/Fort Worth or Chicago and Columbia, Missouri, you can earn double AAdvantage miles. Learn more about the special introductory fare available for travel booked by February 21.

Traveling beyond? Fly from Columbia, Missouri to Dallas/Fort Worth or Chicago, and we can easily connect you to hundreds of cities worldwide.

Offer Dates: February 14, 2013 through May 15, 2013

Promotion Code: COU2X

American will service the route with Embraer ERJ-145s, here’s a look at the schedule:

Chicago – Columbia
Flight 3919 leaves ORD 3:55 PM arrives 5:10 PM
Flight 3900 leaves COU 1:55 PM arrives 3:20 PM

DFW – Columbia
Flight 3396 leaves DFW 12:00 PM arrives 1:25 PM
Flight 3348 leaves DFW 6:55 PM arrives 8:25 PM
Flight 3215 leaves COU 6:45 AM arrives 8:35 AM
Flight 3291 leaves COU 5:40 PM arrives 7:25 PM

Registration required before you travel, go here to signup or for complete details.

Photo: Francis Quadrangle
Credit: Chris Yunker on Flickr

I was busy and in a rush Friday afternoon when I posted the news about American’s new Double Elite Qualifying Miles/Double Redeemable Miles offer, so I thought I might follow up with a post that answers some of the questions I received over the weekend.

Double Elite Qualifying Miles and Points

When?

From now through December 31, 2012.

Is this just for AAdvantage elites?

No. Anyone that registers will receive double elite qualifying miles.

Do codeshare, partner, or oneworld partner flights count?

No. Your flight has to be on an American Airlines/American Eagle marketed AND operated flight: an AA aircraft with an AA flight number.

Do the bonus elite-qualifying points count toward AAdvantage Elite Rewards?

No. From the terms and conditions “This offer does not increment the member’s prize eligible mileage balance”.  I was wrong! The points do count!  See Ben’s post here with American’s explanation. Speaking of AAdvantage Elite Rewards, the deadline to register is December 15, 2012. Go here for more info to to see the list of gifts for this year.

Double Redeemable AAdvantage Miles

AAdvantage members with elite status

From now through the end of the year, all AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, and Executive Platinum members will receive double redeemable AAdvantage Miles.

AAdvantage members without elite status

From November 16, 2012, through November 26, 2012 AAdvantage members without elite status will also earn double redeemable AAdvantage Miles.

Will AAdvantage members with elite status earn 4x miles November 16, 2012, through November 26, 2012?

No.

If I reach elite status during the promotion will I start earning double redeemable AAdvantage Miles?

Yes. From the terms and conditions “Customers who qualify for elite status partway through this offer will receive double flight miles for travel post registration, from the date of qualification for elite status onward”.

Do codeshare flights, partner, or oneworld partner flights count?

No. Your flight has to be on an American Airlines/American Eagle marketed AND operated flight: an AA aircraft with an AA flight number.

Can I combine or “stack” this offer with existing AAdvantage Bonus offers?

Yes! You can combine this offer with one of these offers and earn even more bonus miles!

U.S. / Canada – Europe. Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles
Miami – Asuncion, Paraguay. Earn Double Miles
Celebrating Mexico: Earn Double Miles
Miami – Manaus, Brazil. Earn Double Miles
Dallas/Fort Worth-Puebla, Mexico. Earn Double Miles

For AAdvantage elite members that’s 4x miles!

Where can I find a great mileage run fare?

That’s easy, follow The Flight Deal for great deals like this LAX to Montevideo, Uruguay fare which offers 13,610 round-trip base miles for $852.  It’s like AAdvantage Gold status or a free round-trip ticket to London for less than $900!

LAX/MVD offers 27,220 elite status miles with the bonus, that enough for AAdvantage Gold. And if you already have status, with the double redeemable miles you’ll earn enough miles for a round-trip economy award to Europe: 27,220 miles plus up to another 13,610 elite bonus miles for a total of 40,830 miles!

A few days ago I wrote about about American celebrating 70 years of service in Mexico with a Double AAdvantage Miles offer and fare sale. If you registered for the promotion (using the promo code MX70A) you may have received an confirmation email that seemed to reference some other offer:

Thank you for registering for the SANTY promotion on AA.com.

I registered for the promo but never bothered to read the confirmation email, but luckily a couple of readers brought the issue to my attention.

I sent an email to one members of the AAdvantage social media teams (thanks Laurel!!) and she looked into the issue and sent back this reply:

(A)ll registrants who registered for the Mexico promotion are in fact registered for the correct one, regardless of the e-mail they received. We’ve fixed the e-mail issue and moving forward, all new registrants should receive an e-mail with the correct promotion code.

So if you registered for the promo, no worries.  And if you didn’t register, go here to sign up fo the offer.  Also, there’s still lots of great deals on flights to Mexico, go here to take a look at the fares.  There are also some great business class deals too.

The lesson (for me) in all this: always read the confirmation email.

Thanks to Aaron and Brian for letting me know about the confirmation email. And thank also to Brian on the AmericanAir social media team, and Laurel for their help!

Have a great weekend!

Photo: Mexico City Canvas
Credit: Francisco Carbajal on Flickr

American is celebrating 70 years of serving Mexico and to mark the occasion they’re offering a pretty big fare sale and double AAdvantage Miles.

Mexico is one of American’s largest markets and their 70th Anniversary is a big event. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City noted their 70 years of service and published press release with some interesting facts, such as:

American Airlines’ first flight to Mexico on September 8, 1942, flew from Dallas to Monterrey and onward to Mexico City.

I’ve been watching fares from DFW to Mexico City for about a year and the fare is as low as I’ve seen it since 2010. I’m finding fares for around $340 round-trip.

I’ve not tracked fares from other cities, so I’m not sure if the Mexico deals are as good elsewhere, but if you’re planning a trip to Mexico this Winter, now may be the time to buy. The details:

Save when you purchase your tickets by November 6, 2012, and start travel between September 4, 2012, and March 2, 2013! All travel needs to be complete by March 7, 2013.

American is also offering discounted Business Class fares. An example: New York – Cancun for $808:

Mexico awaits with special Business Class prices! Purchase your tickets by November 6, 2012, and start travel between September 4, 2012, and March 2, 2013, and save! All travel needs to be complete by March 7, 2013.

Double AAdvantage Miles:

Offer: 70 Years Serving Mexico. Earn Double AAdvantage Miles.
In celebration of 70 years of service to Mexico, we are offering you double AAdvantage miles every time you fly between the U.S. and any city we serve in Mexico from September 4 to November 13.

Offer Dates: September 4, 2012 through November 13, 2012

Promotion Code: MX70A

Registration is required before you travel, go here for full details.

You can find the full list of cities included in the fare sale here. Go here to take a look at the discounted Business Class deals.

Last Friday I asked readers to share their first aircraft type for chance to win 1,000 AAdvantage Miles and a package of the new Marcus Samuelsson Spiced Nut mix.

Congratulations to Kevincm! I’m sure his first flight set a pretty high standard in service (even in coach):

First One I remember was a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 when I was *very* young.

And yes, even then – I was stuck down the back of the plane

Thanks for sharing Keveingcm and thanks to also everyone else for sharing their first flight details!

I really enjoyed reading through the comments – lots of cool memories.

Though I guess I should have expected it, it was interesting how many first flights were on Pan Am.

It’s not surprising that many readers experienced their first flights on a 707 or 747. Like Clive on an international route:

I did a LOT of flying between the ages of 1 and 3 on BA between London and New York in the late 60s but forgot to ask what kind of plane I was on. Looking at the BA website, I’m guessing I was probably on a BOAC Boeing 707.

But it was a little surprising to learn of some of the domestic routes. Can you imagine a domestic trip on a 747?

Anita writes:

Back in the 80s we took a family trip to California on. 747 can u believe it? It was either delta or American.

We even had some reader that that were lucky enough to have had their first flights on some on one of the two greatest planes in commercial aviation.

Readers colleen, paul v, Cornroaster, bwiflyer, and Lewis all had their first flights on DC-3s.  Lewis writes:

You’re only a baby. My first ride was on a DC-3:-) (THANKS LEWIS!)

Michael M, and Tania P. took their first airplane rides on a Lockheed Electra. And even thought my first flight was on a 727 rather than an Electra, and he was watching the props rather than the flaps on a 727 wing, Michael M.’s experience was very similar to my own:

I was 5 and it was a PSA Lockheed Electra BUR-SFO. Remember it clearly…I HAD to have my face right up against the giant window to watch the props. Made me fall in love with commercial aviation instantly!

Thanks to everyone that participated!  This Friday I’ll be giving away some more AAdvantage Miles.

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Double AAdvantage Miles on Alaska Airlines

Just a quick update to tell you about a new 2X AAdvantage Miles offer.

Participating Airlines: Alaska Airlines, includes travel on American Airlines codeshare flights operated by Alaska Airlines (booked under the AA flight number)

Award: Double Miles

Offer: Earn double AAdvantage miles for travel on the following select nonstop flights on Alaska Airlines:

Burbank, CA – Portland, OR
Honolulu, HI – Oakland, CA
Honolulu, HI – San Jose, CA
Kansas City, MO – Seattle, WA
Los Angeles, CA – Mammoth Lakes, CA
Oakland, CA – Portland, OR
Ontario, CA – Portland, OR
Portland, OR – San Francisco, CA

Offer Dates: Travel between April 16, 2012 and June 30, 2012

Promotion Code: ASD12

Registraion is require before you travel. Go here for complete details.

Photo: Alaska Airlines 737 with a special paint job – taken at 5 a.m. on an Alaskan morning
Credit: By Frank Kovalchek on Flickr

You can earn double AAdvantage miles between LAX and nine destinations:

Participating Airlines: American Airlines and American Eagle

Award: Double Miles

Offer: Earn double AAdvantage miles for travel on select nonstop flights on American Airlines or American Eagle between Los Angeles and:

Denver, CO
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fresno, CA
Nashville, TN
Phoenix, AZ
Reno, NV
San Diego, CA
Sacramento, CA
Toronto, Canada

Offer Dates: Travel between April 16, 2012 and June 30, 2012

Promotion Code: WCDBL

Registration is required before you travel. Go here to sign up or for more details.

Some good news for the oneworld Alliance as airberlin became a full member today.  airberlin is celebrating the occasion with a promotional tour of two airplanes painted with a oneworld livery:

Since 20th March airberlin has been a full member of the oneworld Alliance. In celebration of this, two airberlin aircraft are now flying with a special oneworld exterior paint design.

Unfortunately, from the looks of the tour schedule, both planes will be staying in Europe, but you can still benefit from this Double AAdvantage Miles offer from American:

Airline: airberlin

Award: Double Miles

Bonus Code: ABDBL

Dates: Travel between March 20, 2012, and May 15, 2012.

Offer: In celebration of airberlin’s inauguration into the oneworld alliance, members of American’s AAdvantage program can earn double miles every time they fly an eligible fare* on airberlin between March 20 and May 15, 2012.

airberlin’s entrance into oneworld adds even more travel options for AAdvantage members and adds more cities to AA’s network through codesharing. Some highlights include Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund, Dresden, Erfurt, Florence, and an additional 45 destinations.

From the terms and conditions:

AAdvantage double mile offer is valid on airberlin operated and/or marketed nonstop flights, March 20, 2012, through May 15, 2012. Includes travel on codeshare flights marketed by American Airlines (booked under the AA flight number)

Offer applies to fares booked in J, C, D, I, Y, B, H, K, M, L, V or N

Registration is required before you travel using bonus code ABDBL.  Go here for complete details.