MilesBuzz! - AA's Killer Advantage over Mileage Plus

On AA domestic award tickets you can have a stopover of any length in any connecting city, in addition to your roundtrip ticket, at no charge. The stopover has to be arranged over the phone, but even that service charge can be avoided by originally holding your roundtrip itinerary online and then immediately calling in to make the necessary changes to include the stopover. Then it stays an online generated reservation that can be changed during the hold period over the phone but is completed online for just the online booking fee. And of course u can change dates and times on any segment after it is ticketed without any charge.
United, on the other hand, does not allow free stopovers on domestic award tickets, giving AA a competitive advantage that in my case makes it my first choice airline.

Sadly AA doesn't fly to 90% of Asia.

On AA award tickets you can have a stopover of any length in any connecting city, in addition to your roundtrip ticket, at no charge. The stopover has to be arranged over the phone, but even that service charge can be avoided by originally holding your roundtrip itinerary online and then immediately calling in to make the necessary changes to include the stopover. Then it stays an online generated reservation that can be changed during the hold period over the phone but is completed online for just the online booking fee. And of course u can change dates and times on any segment after it is ticketed without any charge.
United, on the other hand, does not allow free stopovers on domestic award tickets, giving AA a competitive advantage that in my case makes it my first choice airline.

Welcom to Flyer Talk walkdmx!

What an interesting early post. Basis your information, I agree that AA has an advantage in this area and I am disappointed that UA apparently does not "match" as I usually travel with them and hence my award tics are most frequently UA. I still have about 40M air mile credits on AA and will use your info when I book an AA award
Happy travels
747LWW

Interesting point.

Hadn't given it any thought before, but will keep it in mind for my family holidays next spring.

Delta also allows stopovers. Just booked a trip From SFO to MIA with 4 day stopover in MEM. Plus booking can be made online.

Welcome to FT! ^

I guess it depends on who you ask... For me, that is no advantage at all. I never redeem awards for domestic flights, so I really don't care either way.

AA offers open-jaw with stop-over unlike UA which offers one not both.

BTW, I'm referring to Hawaii and other overseas awards...

AA certainly doesn't fly to a lot of places overseas; it is, IMHO, a possible upside for AA. The airline has a strong domestic network, which could easily feed an expansion overseas.

Oneworld works.

While AA does not serve a lot of Asian destinations, CX and JL do.

CX tends to treat AA elites better than AA does ^ , so long as you are willing to connect on CX/JL to go to most places with full benefits.

With UA you only earn a status bonus on UA and US flights; not star alliance wide.

With AA the status bonus is also alliance wide.

Yes, there are some hiccups, like the BA/AA transatlantic restrictions stemming from antitrust concerns, but in general, Oneworld works!

(AA has by far the most usable award restrictions in my experience; and these rules apply to partner awards too).

Welcome to FT! ^

I guess it depends on who you ask... For me, that is no advantage at all. I never redeem awards for domestic flights, so I really don't care either way.

What you might not realize is that, with DL at least, this stopover provision is also allowed on international itineraries. You may stop either in the US or internationally en route to your final destination (stop only in one direction or have an open jaw, but not both). It can be a great benefit, as can redeeming awards for domestic travel. Think last-minute emergency travel, travel from remote airports (often much more expensive because of little or no competition), and travel to places like Alaska from much of the lower 48. As you said, it depends on who you ask.

On AA award tickets you can have a stopover of any length in any connecting city, in addition to your roundtrip ticket, at no charge.


I flew to Salvador Brazil on United with a stop over in Rio at no charge on a award ticket? not sure what your talking about?

What he's talking about is that you can have a stopover and open-jaw on AA.

Last year I flew BOS-LAX (stopover)-NRT/KIX-DFW-BOS. That itinerary had both a 2-day stopover in LAX and an open-jaw (into NRT, out of KIX).

I don't think that any other domestic carrier allows that.

There are two AA advantages:

On A DOMESTIC 25K award: You can stop-over anywhere (does not have to be a logical connection city) and open jaw if you want.

For example, I have used: SNA-ORD-YYZ destination, YYZ-DFW-DEN stopover, DEN-DFW-SNA.
Or an example with both stopover and open-jaw:
ORD-SNA stopover SNA-SFO-YVR destination YVR-DFW-ORD-CID return open jaw

On an INTERNATIONAL itinerary, AA also allows both a stopover and open-jaw, whereas certain other ailrines offer one or the other and restrict the routing more than AA does.

This is an advantage. It is certainly not a killer advantage. I have nice balances with both programs, and I won't neglect my Mileage Plus balance in recognition of the ability to do a stopover on a domestic award with American.

And this certainly shouldn't influence which carrier you fly and earn status with...!

This is an advantage. It is certainly not a killer advantage. I have nice balances with both programs, and I won't neglect my Mileage Plus balance in recognition of the ability to do a stopover on a domestic award with American.

And this certainly shouldn't influence which carrier you fly and earn status with...!

i guess advantage is in the eye of the beholder. but doesnt UA allow stop overs on intl award tix??

but doesnt UA allow stop overs on intl award tix??
Correct, but not domestically.

Both programs have strengths and weaknesses and it is impossible to say which one is best overall.

Using UA miles one can fly from Asia to South America and have a stop over in US for 150K in F i.e. HKG-SFOx-LAX-DENx-YYZx-GRU-ORDx-NRTx-ICNx-HKG or for the same mileage you can fly from US to to Japan in F and have a stop over in Europe.

You absolutely CANNOT (99% or more of the time) change the UA issued *A award once the travel has begun where AA allows date changes.

AA's OW mileage based awards are truly nice i.e. RTW LAX-LIM-SCL-EZE-GRU-MADx-JNB-MAD-TLV-LHR-LCA-LHRx-HKG-NRT-MEL-HKGx-LAX for 220K AA miles in C.

If you reach certain threshold on UA you can earn quadruple miles for a month that makes MR's so much more "enjoyable".

This is an advantage. It is certainly not a killer advantage. I have nice balances with both programs, and I won't neglect my Mileage Plus balance in recognition of the ability to do a stopover on a domestic award with American.

And this certainly shouldn't influence which carrier you fly and earn status with...!

Exactly. Ups and downs can be pointed out of both programs...

This is an advantage. It is certainly not a killer advantage. I have nice balances with both programs, and I won't neglect my Mileage Plus balance in recognition of the ability to do a stopover on a domestic award with American.

And this certainly shouldn't influence which carrier you fly and earn status with...!

Very true. Both programs have their own advantages.

It could, however, be a reason for someone who only wants to use their miles domestically to choose AA as their preferred carrier, provided their schedule and needs fit visiting two destinations on every award ticket.

UA definitely is stronger when it comes to other awards, especially Asia.

The benefit for me is that it's easier to get Platinum elite-for-life status on AA. Miles from all sources count, which is great!!

http://www.aa.com/apps/AAdvantage/ViewMileageProgramsPartnerDetail.jhtml?fileName=Al l_Airline_Award_Chart.xml&repositoryName=AAdvantagePartnersContentRepository&repositoryId=6100052&itemDescriptor=AAdvantagePartnersContent

Mileage redemption AA vs UA

US to Europe

F 125 vs UA = 100k
C 90 vs UA = 80k

US to ASIA

F 125 or 135 vs UA = 120k (the lower number is off-peak).
C 90 or 110 vs UA = 90K

UA has always been cheaper on award redemptions to many destinations.

While I do like AA's stop-over policy, most of my redemption is for international C class travel on UA.

I flew to Salvador Brazil on United with a stop over in Rio at no charge on a award ticket? not sure what your talking about?

Indeed UA gave me a stopover in New Zealand on an LAX-SYD this past winter, so it is hard to move my loyalty to AA but the free domestic stopover in Chicago on any domestic AA award is irrresistable and amounts to several hundred dollars bonus value for the free ticket. UA could allow this without it costing them anything which makes their capitulation to AA's advantage on this all the more mystifying.

Oneworld works.

While AA does not serve a lot of Asian destinations, CX and JL do.

CX tends to treat AA elites better than AA does ^ , so long as you are willing to connect on CX/JL to go to most places with full benefits.

With UA you only earn a status bonus on UA and US flights; not star alliance wide.

With AA the status bonus is also alliance wide.

Yes, there are some hiccups, like the BA/AA transatlantic restrictions stemming from antitrust concerns, but in general, Oneworld works!

(AA has by far the most usable award restrictions in my experience; and these rules apply to partner awards too).
^ Completely agree that OW - with the major exception of BA - treats its elite flyers better than the other two alliances.

It will be especially enjoyable later this year when I reach ExPlat and will be able to use CX F lounges (theoretically BA as well, but that is just a theory :confused: ).

And I get AA elite qualification bonuses for flying in C class on other OW carriers - a huge advantage over the UA/*Alliance procedures.

"With UA you only earn a status bonus on UA and US flights; not star alliance wide."



which star alliance member earns bonus on all its members??? this is something i dislike allot and found out the hard way on UA having switched to them from AA this year. is LH or another european carrier program more advisable? i live in spain and fly allot to north and south america.

which star alliance member earns bonus on all its members??? this is something i dislike allot and found out the hard way on UA having switched to them from AA this year. is LH or another european carrier program more advisable? i live in spain and fly allot to north and south america.
No other Star carrier gives bonus miles for partners.

http://www.aa.com/apps/AAdvantage/ViewMileageProgramsPartnerDetail.jhtml?fileName=Al l_Airline_Award_Chart.xml&repositoryName=AAdvantagePartnersContentRepository&repositoryId=6100052&itemDescriptor=AAdvantagePartnersContent

Mileage redemption AA vs UA

US to Europe

F 125 vs UA = 100k
C 90 vs UA = 80k

US to ASIA

F 125 or 135 vs UA = 120k (the lower number is off-peak).
C 90 or 110 vs UA = 90K

UA has always been cheaper on award redemptions to many destinations.

While I do like AA's stop-over policy, most of my redemption is for international C class travel on UA.

I guess you don't know about OW awards?


AMERICAN AIRLINES

1805

TPA Tampa

10/18/2006 08:10 PM

MIA Miami

10/18/2006 09:10 PM

First
Z



3E
LAN PERU S.A

511

MIA Miami

10/19/2006 01:20 AM

LIM Lima

10/19/2006 05:50 AM

Business
U


2D
LAN PERU S.A

510

LIM Lima

10/23/2006 10:40 AM

MIA Miami

10/23/2006 05:25 PM

Business
U


2D
AMERICAN AIRLINES

1562

MIA Miami

03/06/2007 01:35 PM

YYZ Toronto

03/06/2007 04:49 PM

Business
U



3E
BRITISH AIRWAYS

92

YYZ Toronto

03/06/2007 06:25 PM

LHR London

03/07/2007 06:25 AM

Business
U


61B
BRITISH AIRWAYS

846

LHR London

03/07/2007 08:20 AM

WAW Warsaw

03/07/2007 11:40 AM

Business
U


2A
BRITISH AIRWAYS

849

WAW Warsaw

03/21/2007 07:40 AM

LHR London

03/21/2007 09:25 AM

Business
U


2A
BRITISH AIRWAYS

1388

LHR London

03/21/2007 11:00 AM

MAN Manchester

03/21/2007 11:55 AM

Economy
V


unassigned
AMERICAN AIRLINES

55

MAN Manchester

03/27/2007 10:45 AM

ORD Chicago

03/27/2007 01:00 PM

Business
U



3D
AMERICAN AIRLINES

781

ORD Chicago

06/13/2007 11:02 AM

SFO San Francisco

06/13/2007 01:37 PM

First
Z



3E
AMERICAN AIRLINES

1662

SFO San Francisco

06/17/2007 08:27 AM

DFW Dallas/ Fort Worth

06/17/2007 01:52 PM

First
Z



3E
AMERICAN AIRLINES

1316

DFW Dallas/ Fort Worth

06/17/2007 03:10 PM

TPA Tampa

06/17/2007 06:30 PM

First
Z



3E


All for 130K AA miles :D, South America in October, Europe in March and US west coast in June....

Welcome to FT! ^

I guess it depends on who you ask... For me, that is no advantage at all. I never redeem awards for domestic flights, so I really don't care either way.

Agreed. I never travel this way either, so this advantage has zero value to me.

On the other hand, to me anyway, the ability to redeem my UA MP miles for upgrades on select Star Alliance carriers is a HUGE advantage to me that trumps the one in question hands down. (*A is the only alliance that allows this)

Advantage: yes

Killer: no

UA allows some *A upgrades
UA PS First is better than AA's NYLA First
UA has SQ, TG, LX, LH

AA has this stopover thing
AA has CX

And I get AA elite qualification bonuses for flying in C class on other OW carriers - a huge advantage over the UA/*Alliance procedures.

I agree with others' posts that each airline and their respective alliances have their own advantages, but for my particular flying patterns this one is a huge advantage for AA and OW. The fact that AA has very few Pacific routes means nothing to me since I can and do fly CX in C and earn the same elite qualifying and redemption bonus miles as if I were on AA itself. Plus CX is a better airline than UA and has, by virtue of its schedule, better connections (no forced overnight involved) to many Asian destinations.

UA allows some *A upgrades
UA PS First is better than AA's NYLA First
UA has SQ, TG, LX, LH

AA has this stopover thing
AA has CX...........and


BA and QF and LAN and FinnAir and Iberia and....(starting next year, JL and Malev and RJ). AerLingus is leaving OW but will remain AA partner (I believe).

and OW awards......(hint: look 2 or so posts above)

Uh. As an Air Canada Aeroplan Elite (*A Gold), I get 125% in J on BD and LH, and 150% in F on LH...

If I fly LH, I also get bonus non-status miles above and beyond.

And award tickets also allow stop-overs and open-jaws. What's so special?

AA has this stopover thing...




Please correct me if I'm wrong but ... AA only allows stop-overs only on AA awards (all AA metal) and oneworld awards (all oneworld metal, with at least TWO oneworld carriers other than AA). AA does not allow stop-overs in any other case, i.e., if the award is on a non-oneworld carrier, or on only a single oneworld carrier (other than AA itself), or on a mix of oneworld and non-oneworld. For example, I wanted several stop-overs on a LAN award and was told I couldn't have any stop-overs unless I somehow worked another oneworld carrier into the routing. As there are not very many oneworld flights other than LA in South America, this turned out to be impractical.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but ... AA only allows stop-overs only on AA awards (all AA metal) and oneworld awards (all oneworld metal, with at least TWO oneworld carriers other than AA). AA does not allow stop-overs in any other case, i.e., if the award is on a non-oneworld carrier, or on only a single oneworld carrier (other than AA itself), or on a mix of oneworld and non-oneworld. For example, I wanted several stop-overs on a LAN award and was told I couldn't have any stop-overs unless I somehow worked another oneworld carrier into the routing. As there are not very many oneworld flights other than LA in South America, this turned out to be impractical.


BA - GRU-EZE - very much bookable as part of either OW revenue or award ticket. Helps in satisfying the 2 partner rule for OW award when one wants to just fly around the continent.


btw, a great sticky with all the award rules posted and discussed...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=440733

Over the course of years, I've figured out that you have to learn to play both of these 2 programs well. Between them, they provide maximum global coverage. I typically find AA easier to redeem domestically (incl. Hawaii) and UA easier to redeem internationally including on partner airlines. There have been monthlong trips I've taken in the past where I had awards from both of them interlinked with stopovers, open jaws, etc. I couldn't have done the trips without both.

For me, the main kicker for my day-to-day travel is the fact that UA has a passable coach product and AA doesn't. As low-elite in both, I know I have to spend a lot of time in the back of the bus, although for long int'l segments I do always shoot for J awards. I like the fact that on UA, haven't to fly E+ isn't a dealbreaker - I can tolerate it. AA coach is just plain brutal.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but ... AA only allows stop-overs only on AA awards (all AA metal) and oneworld awards (all oneworld metal, with at least TWO oneworld carriers other than AA). AA does not allow stop-overs in any other case, i.e., if the award is on a non-oneworld carrier, or on only a single oneworld carrier (other than AA itself), or on a mix of oneworld and non-oneworld. For example, I wanted several stop-overs on a LAN award and was told I couldn't have any stop-overs unless I somehow worked another oneworld carrier into the routing. As there are not very many oneworld flights other than LA in South America, this turned out to be impractical.

I believe you can have a stopover on any AA award type. I've certainly used then on AA partner awards (not all AA metal and not all OW metal).

For me, the main kicker for my day-to-day travel is the fact that UA has a passable coach product and AA doesn't. As low-elite in both, I know I have to spend a lot of time in the back of the bus, although for long int'l segments I do always shoot for J awards. I like the fact that on UA, haven't to fly E+ isn't a dealbreaker - I can tolerate it. AA coach is just plain brutal.

in your opinion, what is the big difference between AA coach and UA coach, other than schedule?

there are not very many oneworld flights other than LA in South AmericaIn addition to the BA one mentioned above by another poster, there's also at least EZE-MVD (or reverse) on AA.

And you see the pattern? In both cases, these are "extension flights", in which a way-outside-South-America carrier wants to fly to two destinations, but there's not enough traffic to fly to each separately, so they stop at one first and then fly on to the other, then return in the same way. And if they allow that "extension" leg to be bookable on its own, there you have it, a OW flight in South America by a OW carrier from another continent!

(I'm not familiar with any others of these. I just happened to know of this one because I was researching some trips from the US to EZE and/or MVD and happened upon this. But I wouldn't be suprrised if there are some others both on AA and on BA, and maybe even on IB too? They're just heavily adverstised, so you have to hunt them down one by one, by experimenting with "where we fly" maps and booking engines, or by perusing direct flights from South American cities in the timetable for each airline, unless someone on FT has a list of them already.)

All for 130K AA miles :D I recognize that smile, and that itinerary.

The oneworld awards are great. I don't have a use for them, like other UA posters here, but that is probably because they are not available in Mileage Plus.

I knew about the OW awards and don't think that is a small deal. But I didn't know until just now that AAdvantage gives bonus miles for all OW flights. I think that is a big deal. JAL joining OW is a big plus, to me.

A big benefit of Mileage Plus in the last few years has been the ability to earn bonus EQMs. MP didn't have the Great Offer this year and if they don't have the double-EQM offer this year then I may make a change.

In addition to the BA one mentioned above by another poster, there's also at least EZE-MVD (or reverse) on AA.



One can certainly include AA in a OW award, but it would not help in any way, to satisfy the OW award rule of using 2 OW partners. (AA is not needed nor does it count). So if one wants to fly around South America on a OW award ticket, the BA flight must be included somewhere, and LAN would be the 2nd OW partner.

To those who posted above, thank you. As it happens, I knew about the BA - GRU-EZE flight, but I didn't want to go to either GRU or EZE and neither one is reachable via a direct OW flight from GIG, my starting point. The only solution would have been to buy a GIG-GRU ticket, but that would require staying overnight in São Paulo because the BA flight leaves GRU at 7am. As for AA partner awards, the old awards on individual carriers don't exist anymore. There are only all-partner awards and these do not allow any stop-overs, or so AA phone representatives have told me repeatedly.

AA does not serve MHT, and I will not go to BOS, so short of AA giving away free rides for every year's travel needs it doesn't matter how much of a plus Advantage has over MileagePlus, AA is out of reach and therefore irrelevant.

I have to agree with the OP that the American program has a considerable Advantage over Mileage Plus.
I am a former 1k/Premeir Executive for many years prior to climbing on board
My reasons for defecting to AA include

• Superior Award Availability (#1 reason)
• No pressure to earn elite status already Lifetime Platinum
I am currently cruising my way to the 3 million mile mark
• Access to British Airways Int First and Business Class seats (non Trans Atlantic)
• Non expiring electronic upgrades for those who remain elite
• Nicer Club Rooms/ Free Computer usage
• No Outsourced/Overseas call centers
• More competitive pricing on tickets
• Excellent Program more exceptional ways to earn miles
Less hassles understanding the majority of their simple less conditional promos
• Vastly improved pro active account customer service posting partner miles within 24 to 48 hours that was not their responsibility
• Superior response when the need for consumer relations arises
Sadly United ruled in years past in this area.
• No worries when booking award tickets for friends and family members that I have to go the airport and sign before they travel.
American for the most part makes doing business a pleasure
• And yes flexibility with award stopovers rock as does the 17,500 mileage round trip awards to select markets through the citibank AA matercard partnership

The biggest negative on average with AA is in flight staff crews IMO
Not to happy or friendly :(
United's flight attendants were in the years I flew them on as good as it gets within the Domestic US.
That said AA does have some fair performers on board too.
The friendly more interesting UA folks are missed along with the 767s I preferred on the Transcons.
I flew PS in first once didn’t like it and never booked again. I would like to try business class one day as it looks more comfortable....

There are two AA advantages:

On A DOMESTIC 25K award: You can stop-over anywhere (does not have to be a logical connection city) and open jaw if you want.

For example, I have used: SNA-ORD-YYZ destination, YYZ-DFW-DEN stopover, DEN-DFW-SNA.
Or an example with both stopover and open-jaw:
ORD-SNA stopover SNA-SFO-YVR destination YVR-DFW-ORD-CID return open jaw

On an INTERNATIONAL itinerary, AA also allows both a stopover and open-jaw, whereas certain other ailrines offer one or the other and restrict the routing more than AA does.

I just assumed it has to be a connecting city, since Chicago is the city I like to stopover in on Domestic awards and my Chicago'in nonstop needs kept me close to UA and AA. But I never imagined that you can have stopovers in any city AA offers? Are you sure? Wouldnt there be a limit to zigzagging cross country?

I was hoping with this post to goose the hidebound oldthink legacy carriers to at least keep up with the competition. I knew that these rules are pretty outmoded, but never as much so as when I was recently told that the $100 penalty charge on United for changing connecting cities is due to the fact that they once had to tear coupons which had to be re-printed if there was a connection change. Hello? And what year was this?

Fining a customer for making minor changes on such a gift is like handing out a beautiful holiday present and then kicking the recipient in the groin. Can you imagine how happy the most important fliers would be overnight if they would make these truly gifts for customer loyalty instead of a counterproductive revenue source?

Once I hit 2MM on AA, I'm going to earn on CX for status there.

After I finish my current earn/burn with AC and a few others, I'll earn for *A probably with UA.

advantage? yes

killer advantage? possibly, depending on your travel patterns

killer post for a newby? defintely... welcome to FT!

Are you sure? Wouldnt there be a limit to zigzagging cross country?


Yes, I'm sure. Almost all of my domestic redemptions have taken advantage of this; I don't stopover in cheap (to get to) cities like Chicago on award tickets.

So long as it is served by AA, there are no restrictions.

If using AS, you can still do this, but the stopover has to be along a published connection point. (Not so for AA metal)

There are only all-partner awards and these do not allow any stop-overs, or so AA phone representatives have told me repeatedly.

Unfortunately, this applies to you.

But it does not apply to most of AA's customers.

Awards from North America to everywhere (as far as I am aware) allow stopovers at a connection point, a US or international hub. This applies both to AA metal and partner flights.

I have used as many as 5 airlines on a single ticket (in this case AA, BA, LX, SN, and AS)...this was not a simple partner award, not a OneWorld award...a stopover on this award in London was not a problem.

UA has always been cheaper on award redemptions to many destinations.

AA has a pretty decent off peak award (mid October to mid May) to Europe in coach for 40K. I did that when I met you for drinks in October, using my free stopover in Madrid on the way to Barcelona.

Didn't UA do something for 35K during the winter as a one-shot offering (while still in chapter 11)? Has it been added to the award chart permanently now?

One advantage of UA that I haven't seen mentioned is that if you fly a mix of discounted and full-fare tickets, you earn status much faster on UA than on AA. For example, say you take two 10,000-mile trips, one on a B-class ticket, one on a Q-class ticket. UA gives you 15,000 miles for the first ticket, and 10,000 for the second, for a total of 25,000 EQM, which gets you Premier status. AA gives you only 20,000 miles.

A possible advantage of AA is that you can buy 500-mile upgrades for $30 each, compared with 4 for $200 on UA. I've never bought a 500-miler, because I won't pay $300 for a SFO->JFK one-way upgrade, but I might be willing to pay $180. (Unfortunately, AA doesn't have P.S. on that route.)

Another advantage of AA for some people is in-seat power. However, I just bring a big battery, in which case the extra legroom in UA's economy plus section is a big win.

Unfortunately, this applies to you.

But it does not apply to most of AA's customers.

Awards from North America to everywhere (as far as I am aware) allow stopovers at a connection point, a US or international hub. This applies both to AA metal and partner flights.

I have used as many as 5 airlines on a single ticket (in this case AA, BA, LX, SN, and AS)...this was not a simple partner award, not a OneWorld award...a stopover on this award in London was not a problem.

I just checked again with AA and this time the reply was slightly different: on an all partner award that goes between 'regions' (i.e., between South America and North America or Europe, but not within South America), one stop-over is allowed each way at point of entry into the second region. Within a region, no stop-overs are allowed.

in your opinion, what is the big difference between AA coach and UA coach, other than schedule?

Economy+ seating and in-flight entertainment.

Too bad this has evolved into yet another UA v. AA thread, with all of the usual arguments.

Personally I don't think the stopover is a big deal for US residents traveling within the US. I never ever stopover on leisure trips. Open jaw is another matter but usually one finds better value by buying and upgrading low-fare tix than by using a 25K award.

When traveling internationally, stopover could be more useful but again it is really the open jaw award that is most useful, i.e. fly to London, return from Paris.

Not to be unwelcoming :), but I don't think it is "Killer Advantage" for anyone but the OP.

Personally I don't think the stopover is a big deal for US residents traveling within the US.

Although I'd rather use miles for a intercontinental trip, I've used the domestic stopover and can imagine useful cases. If visiting CA from the east coast, it's nice to hit both the north & south especially if you have friends to visit. Another one could be visiting family on the way to another city for vacation.

Also, doesn't "within the US" really include Canada? I like visiting multiple cities on a leisure trip, and making a stop in places like YYZ/YVR/YUL is nice.

When traveling internationally, stopover could be more useful but again it is really the open jaw award that is most useful, i.e. fly to London, return from Paris.I disagre. Stopovers on an intercontinental flight are great. If I can arrange everything on one award ticket, things go more smoothly than trying to fill in gaps with a paid flight--- especially if I decide to change travel dates.

YMMV

(Edited to change transcontinental to intercontinental)

Also, doesn't "within the US" really include Canada? I like visiting multiple cities on a leisure trip, and making a stop in places like YYZ/YVR/YUL is nice.
YMMV

I think you are the exception. Vast majority of leisure travel are individuals or families going to one destination for a week, i.e. Orlando or perhaps a long weekend, i.e. Vegas.

Nobody is saying that stopover and open jaw are worthless. What we are saying is that they don't really matter for the vast majority of redemptions - and therefore not "Killer" by anybody's definition. FTers are also somewhat of a different lot, flying about on MRs at the drop of a dime (or rather, a fare drop!) and perhaps can find more use from such flexibility. Like you I have friends up and down the opposite coast, but like most people I don't have enough time to even look everyone up when I go visiting.

As you say, YMMV.

I'm not saying it's "killer," just disputing what you seemed to say about stopovers. The last time I did a domestic stopover was visiting family at Christmas and then continuing to another city for vacation & New Year's. Since I didn't plan the trip early enough, the award saved me buying an overpriced domestic ticket.

Yes, I'm sure. Almost all of my domestic redemptions have taken advantage of this; I don't stopover in cheap (to get to) cities like Chicago on award tickets.

So long as it is served by AA, there are no restrictions.

If using AS, you can still do this, but the stopover has to be along a published connection point. (Not so for AA metal)


Thanks for mentioning this as I had no idea this were possible. ^

I had always assumed a stopover was permissible in a connection city, but not elsewhere. I do have one question though. In this case, does "domestic" refer to just the continental 48, or does it also include HI, AK, and possibly PR? For example, assuming availability on all segments, would either of the following be possible:

Out: LEX - LAS (stopover) - SJU
Back: SJU - LEX

or

Out: LEX -SEA (stopover) - HNL
Back: OGG - LEX

Thanks in advance.

It depends which award you mean. The 25k "domestic" is continental US and Canada. 30k includes the Carribean & Mexico, and 35k includes HI.

It depends which award you mean. The 25k "domestic" is continental US and Canada. 30k includes the Carribean & Mexico, and 35k includes HI.


Sorry for the confusion. The OP states "On AA domestic award tickets you can have a stopover of any length in any connecting city, in addition to your roundtrip ticket, at no charge." I'm wondering if this allowable stopover is only permitted on 25k domestic awards, or can someone also include a non-connecting point stopover when redeeming a 30k award to PR or a 35k award to HI.

Hrm... but at least UA isn't sinking...as badly :D

I like AAdvantage best because of all the earning partners. BTW, two years ago we snagged 3 free RT tickets to Australia via Qantas and Air Nui, both AAdvantage partners. We are accumulating to use Finnair to get to Europe next year; haven't done it, but way fly to Asia on AA if Cathy Pacific takes your miles?

Sorry for the confusion. The OP states "On AA domestic award tickets you can have a stopover of any length in any connecting city, in addition to your roundtrip ticket, at no charge." I'm wondering if this allowable stopover is only permitted on 25k domestic awards, or can someone also include a non-connecting point stopover when redeeming a 30k award to PR or a 35k award to HI.

The answer is yes, can do on the 30K and 35K awards as well.

What you might not realize is that, with DL at least, this stopover provision is also allowed on international itineraries. You may stop either in the US or internationally en route to your final destination (stop only in one direction or have an open jaw, but not both). It can be a great benefit, as can redeeming awards for domestic travel. Think last-minute emergency travel, travel from remote airports (often much more expensive because of little or no competition), and travel to places like Alaska from much of the lower 48. As you said, it depends on who you ask.


This is a huge advantage. Just booked RDU to MAD on DL for Mrs. Outoftown and myself. There was no award inventory to return, so booked STO to RDU as return on CO and DL let me pick date to travel between MAD to STO on AF via Paris. Only additional miles was 10,000 more miles for CO metal on return via EWR, so 100K miles each instead of 90K for DL O and CO E class. This increases the odds of getting award travel immensely if you have some flexibility.

Outoftown

I have to agree with the OP that the American program has a considerable Advantage over Mileage Plus.
I am a former 1k/Premeir Executive for many years prior to climbing on board
My reasons for defecting to AA include

• Superior Award Availability (#1 reason)
• No pressure to earn elite status already Lifetime Platinum
I am currently cruising my way to the 3 million mile mark
• Access to British Airways Int First and Business Class seats (non Trans Atlantic)
• Non expiring electronic upgrades for those who remain elite
• Nicer Club Rooms/ Free Computer usage
• No Outsourced/Overseas call centers
• More competitive pricing on tickets
• Excellent Program more exceptional ways to earn miles
Less hassles understanding the majority of their simple less conditional promos
• Vastly improved pro active account customer service posting partner miles within 24 to 48 hours that was not their responsibility
• Superior response when the need for consumer relations arises
Sadly United ruled in years past in this area.
• No worries when booking award tickets for friends and family members that I have to go the airport and sign before they travel.
American for the most part makes doing business a pleasure
• And yes flexibility with award stopovers rock as does the 17,500 mileage round trip awards to select markets through the citibank AA matercard partnership

The biggest negative on average with AA is in flight staff crews IMO
Not to happy or friendly :(
United's flight attendants were in the years I flew them on as good as it gets within the Domestic US.
That said AA does have some fair performers on board too.
The friendly more interesting UA folks are missed along with the 767s I preferred on the Transcons.
I flew PS in first once didn’t like it and never booked again. I would like to try business class one day as it looks more comfortable....


I think this is a fair analysis...

I was AA Plat until relocating to SF this year...Where I was comped to Prem Exec at UA. The only advantage for me being in SF is that it is a UA hub, and therefore, there are many more flights available to more destinations.

So far my UA experience has been uneventful...Not great...But not bad either.

I guess you don't know about OW awards?


AMERICAN AIRLINES

1805

TPA Tampa

10/18/2006 08:10 PM

MIA Miami

10/18/2006 09:10 PM

First
Z



3E
LAN PERU S.A

511

MIA Miami

10/19/2006 01:20 AM

LIM Lima

10/19/2006 05:50 AM

Business
U


2D
LAN PERU S.A

510

LIM Lima

10/23/2006 10:40 AM

MIA Miami

10/23/2006 05:25 PM

Business
U


2D
AMERICAN AIRLINES

1562

MIA Miami

03/06/2007 01:35 PM

YYZ Toronto

03/06/2007 04:49 PM

Business
U



3E
BRITISH AIRWAYS

92

YYZ Toronto

03/06/2007 06:25 PM

LHR London

03/07/2007 06:25 AM

Business
U


61B
BRITISH AIRWAYS

846

LHR London

03/07/2007 08:20 AM

WAW Warsaw

03/07/2007 11:40 AM

Business
U


2A
BRITISH AIRWAYS

849

WAW Warsaw

03/21/2007 07:40 AM

LHR London

03/21/2007 09:25 AM

Business
U


2A
BRITISH AIRWAYS

1388

LHR London

03/21/2007 11:00 AM

MAN Manchester

03/21/2007 11:55 AM

Economy
V


unassigned
AMERICAN AIRLINES

55

MAN Manchester

03/27/2007 10:45 AM

ORD Chicago

03/27/2007 01:00 PM

Business
U



3D
AMERICAN AIRLINES

781

ORD Chicago

06/13/2007 11:02 AM

SFO San Francisco

06/13/2007 01:37 PM

First
Z



3E
AMERICAN AIRLINES

1662

SFO San Francisco

06/17/2007 08:27 AM

DFW Dallas/ Fort Worth

06/17/2007 01:52 PM

First
Z



3E
AMERICAN AIRLINES

1316

DFW Dallas/ Fort Worth

06/17/2007 03:10 PM

TPA Tampa

06/17/2007 06:30 PM

First
Z



3E


All for 130K AA miles :D, South America in October, Europe in March and US west coast in June....

Hi,
Can you explain which award allowed this routing and how you were required to characterize the trip to get so many stopovers and city pairs?
thanks

We fly UA, but are earning miles both in Star Alliance and One World, for our retirement.

Our plan is to have a huge hoard of UA miles (to cover us in our old age) for *Alliance, a huge hoard of AS miles to cover us for OneWorld, a few hundred thousand each on NWA and AA (to use for upgrades when they offer cheap domestic flights), a huge hoard of HH points for sleeping around the world, and a medium sized hoard of SPG AMEX points, which are wonderful for cheap $$+ points awards, and pretty easily converted to any airline we might get the inkling to fly. We really ought to be thinking about racking up a bigger hoard of SPG AMEX points as they are really useful. Thank you for making me think about this. @:-)

SPG AMEX points are really very, very good. We once were able to convert 100,000 Starwood points, on a 2 for 1+ special (thanks to OzStamps, to 250,000 Qantas miles, which we used for two BA Concorde tickets. :) :) Woo Hoo! They are also very helpful when the Level 4 hotel at a convention we must attend is running somewhere in the 400 Euro range. Nothing like plunking down 4,000 points and $60 US as an alternative. ;)

Note to self: Focus on collecting SPG AMEX points. ^

Hi,
Can you explain which award allowed this routing and how you were required to characterize the trip to get so many stopovers and city pairs?
thanks

It's an AAdvantage oneworld award, which allows multiple stopovers and is different from an Aadvantage all-partner award. It's explained in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433366

One feature of AAdvantage awards that seems to be potentially a plus vis a vis Mileage Plus is the ability to change dates on a oneworld mixed carrier award without fee. Mileage Plus multi-carrier awards, on the other hand, allow no change whatsoever, and even a change of date will simply invalidate the award. I had a intra-European Mileage Plus award on Austrian and wished to delay my original return by one day - Austrian said it was use it on the original date or lose it. Seems a bit draconian.

Delta also allows stopovers. Just booked a trip From SFO to MIA with 4 day stopover in MEM. Plus booking can be made online.
I think Delta Allows Stop-over OR open jaw, but not both.

I don't think United will charge any fee if you are using multiple carriers with Star ALliance and only need to change the dates. They do however, charge if you change routing in any way.

I just moved from the East Coast to the West Coast last month, and I used to be a big Southwest fan since I took a lot of short trips.

I will be travelling frequently across the country between Washington, DC and Los Angeles... with a couple trips per year to Honolulu and Phoenix to see family. I think the Southwest credits earned on transcontinental flights don't have good value, so I'm searching for a new airline to frequent.

What do you guys recommend for my situation, United or American?

I don't think United will charge any fee if you are using multiple carriers with Star ALliance and only need to change the dates.

Right, as long as the change is made before travel is commenced. Once you've flown your first UA *A award flight segment, no changes whatsoever are allowed.

Each person's travel patterns, and thus priorities for what is important in an award, may vary. For me, the inability to make any changes whatsover (even a change of time on the same day) once I have departed on a UA Star Alliance reward, at any cost, is really problematic.

For me, the inability to make any changes whatsover (even a change of time on the same day) once I have departed on a UA Star Alliance reward, at any cost, is really problematic.Since UA wants to be more like their competition on award costs (as of next month), maybe they should relax this rule. I've made mid-trip changes to travel dates on awards with US and AA. It's one of the nicest things about award tickets, along with permitting stopovers. YMMV

I just moved from the East Coast to the West Coast last month, and I used to be a big Southwest fan since I took a lot of short trips.

I will be travelling frequently across the country between Washington, DC and Los Angeles... with a couple trips per year to Honolulu and Phoenix to see family. I think the Southwest credits earned on transcontinental flights don't have good value, so I'm searching for a new airline to frequent.

What do you guys recommend for my situation, United or American?

Perhaps this post will help you:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6356363&postcount=19