This year, American Airlines has been making quite a lot of updates to their award booking system. At the beginning of the year, their Premium Economy awards became bookable then a new award searching system arrived. Later throughout the year, Etihad and Cathay Pacific awards became bookable on aa.com.
Now, as American Airlines completes their Premium Economy installation, the partner award chart for this cabin has been published and British Airways is the first bookable partner on aa.com. Additionally, the new award searching system now has the calendar tool.
American Airlines New Partner Award Chart
Earlier today, American Airlines updated their flight award chart for oneworld and partner airlines. Specifically, they added Premium Economy prices for all regions. Take a look at the prices for flights that originate from contiguous U.S. and Canada:
British Airways Premium Economy on aa.com
This morning aa.com added its first Premium Economy award redemption partner, British Airways. Currently, there is plenty of availability for transatlantic flights.
Note that Premium Economy awards on British Airways will book into P fare class.
aa.com New Award Searching Calendar
The new searching tool was first introduced in January, since then aa.com has been showing “Coming Soon” under the calendar option. Now, that is finally gone and the new calendar is here:
It is great to see the new calendar keeps the option for passengers to choose their travel class, as well as the number of stops. The current interface also looks cleaner than the past, which is great.
Bottom Line
American Airlines is really focusing a lot on their Premium Economy market as well as their award booking system. While I would not say using your miles on Premium Economy is the best option, at least these redemptions were added without devaluing the Business Class award price.
Are you planning to redeem partner Premium Economy awards on aa.com? Do you like the new calendar?
Ps you forgot to mention, the new restricted awards with varying mileage depending of the flight. Sounds like it will be the trend soon.
Hey the charge for seat location. a bad habit inherited from USAir.
It is a solid product. I have done MUC-PHL and back and the food is delicious, reminds me of business in the early 90s. The seats are great and good pitch. Better than BA or LH.
Best of all the price is 1/3 more than economy. It is not economy plus, but close to business class quality.
(Well now business is semi first class). Personally
I can’t stand F anymore, too much food, over attentive FA, cold, lonely and impersonal. Too much enclosure is asocial.
Reminds me of a sterile office.
If you ever flew F in the 80s you know wha I am talking about. That was a Fun party!
I guess the biggest question is how much saver award space will be available.