Dec 1, 2015, 8:52 am
Last edit by: Shawn02139
American Airlines AirPass PrePaid Travel
NOTE: The program is Airpass; no longer named "AAirpass"
Link to aa.com AirPass contact and links page.
Prepaid, Unrestricted Air Travel at a Fixed Rate
As an AirPass member, you won’t have to search for fares or pay extra for last-minute trips. Your airfare is pre-paid at a fixed rate and your account is ready when you need to travel to any of the more than 350 destinations in the combined American Airlines and US Airways network.
As an AirPass member, you won’t have to search for fares or pay extra for last-minute trips. Your airfare is pre-paid at a fixed rate and your account is ready when you need to travel to any of the more than 350 destinations in the combined American Airlines and US Airways network.
AirPass, depending on level of purchase, includes status and may include up to Executive Platinum status and Admirals Club membership, or even Concierge Key, which includes both.
AirPass members get a courtesy drink and a snack if they're traveling in Coach, much as Executive Platinums do; unlike Executive Platinums, their traveling companion does also.
14 Jan 2016 jmappleby said: "...they take credit via wire transfer at $10k (Gold), $20k (Platinum), $30k (EP). Concierge Key is available for $50k individual spend or $75k team spend."
Contact AirPass
AirPass Customer Service
800-433-6355
817-931-9029 - Fax
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (CT)
Send us a letter
FedEX / UPS / Overnight mail
American Airlines
AirPass Customer Service
4255 Amon Carter Blvd.
MD 4106
Fort Worth, TX 76155
U.S mail
American Airlines, Inc.
AirPass Customer Service
P.O. Box 619616
MD 4106
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616
AirPass Customer Service
800-433-6355
817-931-9029 - Fax
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (CT)
Send us a letter
FedEX / UPS / Overnight mail
American Airlines
AirPass Customer Service
4255 Amon Carter Blvd.
MD 4106
Fort Worth, TX 76155
U.S mail
American Airlines, Inc.
AirPass Customer Service
P.O. Box 619616
MD 4106
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616
The best deal seems to be the -UP fares, where you pay the standard economy, but book a confirmed seat into business
AirPass Prepaid Travel (née AAirpass, not Lifetime Airpass) Master Thread
Apr 4, 2003, 6:13 pm
#61
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Posts: 1,791
I'm fairly certain that tax was included in the original signing of my AAirpass Agreement. Indeed, AAirpass, when they market the program with brochures, etc., stated that this was a great way to protect agains "future fare increases".
AAirpass has been socking us extra miles for the security fees over the past year. That wasn't in the original contract, either. It's interesting that United's program, PassPlus, didn't charge these fees.
If any of this is true, this is the stuff lawsuits are made of. Class Action, here we come!
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AAExecPlat; Lifetime AAirpass; 3MillMiles; UApremier-PassPlus
AAirpass has been socking us extra miles for the security fees over the past year. That wasn't in the original contract, either. It's interesting that United's program, PassPlus, didn't charge these fees.
If any of this is true, this is the stuff lawsuits are made of. Class Action, here we come!
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AAExecPlat; Lifetime AAirpass; 3MillMiles; UApremier-PassPlus
Oct 23, 2003, 6:25 pm
#62
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AA EXP 9.9MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 319
When is AAirpass worth it?
I am a small business owner, and do a lot of paid first class international travel (340,000 qualifying points to date). I am trying to figure out when AAirpass is worth the money, based on other's experiences.
The upfront charge is basically $0.50 per mile, plus the additional class of service surcharge.
For example, I have been flying JFK to HNL quite a lot recently, and pay $3300 for first class (cheaper if I get A class). If I were to buy this ticket with AAirpass, the cost with the 150% class of service surcharge would be $7500 (10,000 miles roundtrip, with a 50% class of service surcharge), a ridiculous amount. Los Angeles would be $3750.
However, first to EZE would only be $6250 equivalent, which is a good price. First to LHR would be $5400, a great price.
So based on those that use AAirpass, when is it worth it and a good deal?
Oct 23, 2003, 9:01 pm
#63
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
I once considered AAirpass, in an era of considerably more int'l premium travel than I now have, and at that time I too thought the fares to LHR could make the program workable on that route from east-coast originating cities.
In general I think you'll find most folks on this board don't use AAirpass, and don't think too highly of its pricing.
In general I think you'll find most folks on this board don't use AAirpass, and don't think too highly of its pricing.
Oct 23, 2003, 9:32 pm
#64
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Posts: 1,791
As one who has spent many hundreds of thousands on AAirpass for his business and family, I agree with Bedelman. I have one more thing to add: After paying a very high cost per mile for this product, AA invoked a loophole in the contract to extract more revenue from us PAX who bought the product. All of this while AA has been wooing business PAX to its routes with dramatically lower fares to fight of WN. This tactic was not used by the competing product, Pass Plus, of UA.
Thus, I don't recommend the product, nor do I have much regard for AA's integrity in its business dealings. Thus, my flying has shifted way over to UA, where I, my spouse, and kids and business partners have all made the 1K (have to admit, they pretty much gave it away). I only flew 4K mi this year on AA, after 10 consecutive years of over 100K mi on the carrier.
Needless to say, I have felt duped.
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UA 1K/Pass Plus; AA Plat/Lifetime AAirpass
Thus, I don't recommend the product, nor do I have much regard for AA's integrity in its business dealings. Thus, my flying has shifted way over to UA, where I, my spouse, and kids and business partners have all made the 1K (have to admit, they pretty much gave it away). I only flew 4K mi this year on AA, after 10 consecutive years of over 100K mi on the carrier.
Needless to say, I have felt duped.
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UA 1K/Pass Plus; AA Plat/Lifetime AAirpass
Oct 23, 2003, 10:46 pm
#66
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,689
Air pass used to have a teaser introductory package that was worth the money. It included two first class round the world tickets + (I don't remember amount of air miles) for $5,000.00. I regret not buying it as $5,000.00 which was a lot of money for me back then but I do remember that it two round the world tickets alone back then were worth well over $15-20,000. Do they still offer like this?
Oct 23, 2003, 11:11 pm
#67
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 740
You can discounted premium fares for international travel for much less than the list price. 1stair.net has good stuff though I have never used them . For example, $5971.60 for JFK-LHR next week in BA J with a routing through Canada; they claim to offer 20% discount if you spend a lot ($100K+ per annum). Many travel agents too will have those fares available.
I think AAirpass is worth it if you make a lot of short-hops to airports not served by too many airlines. Many of these flights have very high cost per mile, especially if there are not too many direct flights between the airports. For example, consider Chicago, IL to Champaign, IL (University of Illinois) where the fares are typically $250 plus for a trip a 131 mile flight one way. AAirpass would certainly be a good buy there if you are a frequent commuter. However, with business fares having come down considerably on most other routes, AAirpass is no longer very attractive.
I think AAirpass is worth it if you make a lot of short-hops to airports not served by too many airlines. Many of these flights have very high cost per mile, especially if there are not too many direct flights between the airports. For example, consider Chicago, IL to Champaign, IL (University of Illinois) where the fares are typically $250 plus for a trip a 131 mile flight one way. AAirpass would certainly be a good buy there if you are a frequent commuter. However, with business fares having come down considerably on most other routes, AAirpass is no longer very attractive.
Oct 24, 2003, 8:48 am
#68
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Jose, CA USA
Posts: 1,791
SJCISP: Agree with you that the only possible niche for AAirpass now would be the routes you mentioned, especially if there is no LCC competition. Now that there is LCC competition on most business routes, AAirpass is looking anachronistic and non-economical.
Card1953: In answer to your question, AA tacked on "fuel fees, security surcharges, and customs fees" by subtracting more miles flown by the user per flights taken. This essentially increased the costs from over 50 cents per mile to over 60 cents per mile. This pretty much places it out of the stratosphere and into the ionosphere. As I pointed out, UA did not do this with its competing product, PassPlus.
UA is in chapter 11; AA is not. I think the lingering pain for me is that I thought I was a good customer for the airline, with an ice-cold contract for the future. Unfortunately their Texas-lawyer boys have stuck it to me with legalities. Can't do much about it but quit giving 'em future business.
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UA 1K/Pass Plus; AA Plat/Lifetime AAirpass
Card1953: In answer to your question, AA tacked on "fuel fees, security surcharges, and customs fees" by subtracting more miles flown by the user per flights taken. This essentially increased the costs from over 50 cents per mile to over 60 cents per mile. This pretty much places it out of the stratosphere and into the ionosphere. As I pointed out, UA did not do this with its competing product, PassPlus.
UA is in chapter 11; AA is not. I think the lingering pain for me is that I thought I was a good customer for the airline, with an ice-cold contract for the future. Unfortunately their Texas-lawyer boys have stuck it to me with legalities. Can't do much about it but quit giving 'em future business.
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UA 1K/Pass Plus; AA Plat/Lifetime AAirpass
Oct 27, 2003, 6:57 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA GLD, Marriott PLT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,900
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bedelman:
I once considered AAirpass, in an era of considerably more int'l premium travel than I now have, and at that time I too thought the fares to LHR could make the program workable on that route from east-coast originating cities.
In general I think you'll find most folks on this board don't use AAirpass, and don't think too highly of its pricing.</font>
I once considered AAirpass, in an era of considerably more int'l premium travel than I now have, and at that time I too thought the fares to LHR could make the program workable on that route from east-coast originating cities.
In general I think you'll find most folks on this board don't use AAirpass, and don't think too highly of its pricing.</font>
When did it make sense? It was great for last minute trips, or even advanced trips without saturday night stays from DFW to just about any city in the USA (lower 48). DFW is centrally locared to the milage from there to someplace else really isn't *that* far.
But I still use it from time to time when I have to book travel late. Plus, it gets me in the Admirals Club, and would give me basci status (Group 1 boarding, "elite" checkin, etc.) even if I flew one round trip per year.
Feb 5, 2004, 4:19 am
#70
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego (SAN)
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 939
New, Lower-Cost Option for AAirpass Passengers
AAirpass will now offer a PlanAAhead option, beginning March 1, 2004. While I don't know the actual rates, the new option will provide reduced rates for AAirpass travelers who ticket travel at least 14 days in advance. The current rates will still be avaiable for bookings without a 14-day advance.
Feb 5, 2004, 4:36 am
#72
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego (SAN)
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 939
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bassiur:
Wow! That's revolutionary - since Aairpass is always full-fare (Y,C,F) it never mattered when the ticketing (or booking) occurred. When will this be announced?</font>
Wow! That's revolutionary - since Aairpass is always full-fare (Y,C,F) it never mattered when the ticketing (or booking) occurred. When will this be announced?</font>
Though I haven't seen a public press release, it was announced in Jetwire (employee communications) Wednesday, Feb 4:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">On March 1, the AAirpass program will introduce an enhancement to AAirpass travel -- the PlanAAhead option. With PlanAAhead, AAirpass customers can receive a reduced rate on AAirpass tickets by booking and ticketing at least 14 days in advance of their travel date. AAirpass customers can continue to book AAirpass AAnytime tickets, which are unrestricted, full-fare tickets. With both the PlanAAhead and AAnytime AAirpass options, AAirpass customers now have even more flexibility in booking AAirpass travel.</font>
Feb 5, 2004, 11:53 am
#73
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SPI. EXP 7 million miles
Posts: 77
Amazing. AAirpass customer service confirms this program change although they didn't have details. AAirpass reservations didn't know anything about it. I am traveling on AP to Europe (ORD-LHR) on March 13 with a companion AP. So, if the program is announced on March 1 and there is a 14 day advance requirement for PlanAAhead, I might be out of luck. 
I haven't yet received the "new" Aairpass statement yet and it seems like there are quite a number of changes on it as well.
I haven't yet received the "new" Aairpass statement yet and it seems like there are quite a number of changes on it as well.
Feb 5, 2004, 5:58 pm
#75
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SPI. EXP 7 million miles
Posts: 77
go to www.aairpass.com