5 Ways to Stretch American Airlines Miles with Super Cheap Economy Awards

 

Credit card links have been removed from posts and added to the menu bar at the top of every page of MileValue under the heading Top Travel Credit Cards.

American Airlines miles are currently one of the most valuable airline miles for economy awards because of off peak awards. During some months of the year, your favorite destination can cost up to a 1/4 fewer miles to travel to.

Award Space on 20k Flights to Europe and South America, 25k to Asia

Recently I updated "You Can Still Book on the Old American Airlines with Alaska or Etihad Miles" with the amazing news that 16 months after American Airlines devalued its award chart, Etihad and Alaska still let you book American Airlines flights at the old rates.

The best rates on the old American Airlines chart were off peak awards.

How to Get Two Roundtrips To Caribbean, Mexico, Central America from One Credit Card Sign Up Bonus

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® currently has a 50,000 mile sign-up bonus after spending $5,000 in three months.

One of the perks of the devaluation that hit American Airlines' award charts March 22, 2016 is the new price of awards from the United States to the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico. It now only costs 12,500 miles one way in Economy during the off peak season for those regions.

Alaska Airlines Miles Can Book Some Off Peak American Airlines Awards at Off Peak Prices

American Airlines off peak awards are one of the best deals with miles. At the moment, for between two and seven months a year, American Airlines miles can book discounted economy awards from the United States to (one way price):

Mexico: 12,500 miles
Caribbean: 12,500 miles
Central America and Northern South America: 15,000 miles
Hawaii: 17,500 miles
Southern South America: 20,000 miles
Europe: 20,000 miles
Korea and Japan: 25,000 miles

Read more about American Airlines off peak awards here.

United Off Peak Award Sale This Winter

United has announced a 15% to 25% discount on economy class awards from the US to Europe:

Roundtrip awards booked between now and December 8, 2015
for flights flown between January 11 and March 10, 2016
on itineraries wholly operated by United and United Express flights
will cost only 45k to 51k miles roundtrip, depending on the days of travel

United has run a nearly identical promotion for the last several years, so maybe this is becoming a yearly occurrence.
United’s Current Promotion

I did a few dummy bookings to test out what’s possible.

All Six American Airlines Off Peak Awards are Available Right Now

Someone at the Chicago Seminars (maybe he'll float through here and claim his hat tip) pointed out that all American Airlines off peak award windows are happening right now!

American Airlines offers discounted economy awards to the regions above on the dates above.

17,500 miles one way from North America to Hawaii
12,500 to Caribbean and Mexico
15,000 to Central America and Northern South America
20,000 to Southern South America
20,000 to Europe
25,000 to Japan and South Korea

The discounts to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America are only valid

All Six American Airlines Off Peak Awards are Available Right Now

Someone at the Chicago Seminars (maybe he'll float through here and claim his hat tip) pointed out that all American Airlines off peak award windows are happening right now!

American Airlines offers discounted economy awards to the regions above on the dates above.

17,500 miles one way from North America to Hawaii
12,500 to Caribbean and Mexico
15,000 to Central America and Northern South America
20,000 to Southern South America
20,000 to Europe
25,000 to Japan and South Korea

The discounts to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America are only valid

American Airlines Awards to US and Canada for 8,750 Miles

Key Link

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® offers 75,000 bonus American Airlines miles after spending $7,500 in the first three months
The list of discounted American Airlines economy awards within the United States and Canada

American Airlines offers discounted MileSAAver awards within the United States and Canada to select cardholders. All the cards you're likely to have because they're the ones with the big sign up bonuses and best benefits qualify for 7,500 mile discounts on certain roundtrip economy awards.

Every two months, American Airlines publishes a list of new destinations in the United

American Airlines Awards to US and Canada for 8,750 Miles

Key Link

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® offers 75,000 bonus American Airlines miles after spending $7,500 in the first three months
The list of discounted American Airlines economy awards within the United States and Canada

American Airlines offers discounted MileSAAver awards within the United States and Canada to select cardholders. All the cards you're likely to have because they're the ones with the big sign up bonuses and best benefits qualify for 7,500 mile discounts on certain roundtrip economy awards.

Every two months, American Airlines publishes a list of new destinations in the United

Get Three People to Japan or Korea with One Credit Card Sign Up

American Airlines miles are ideal for super cheap economy awards and ultra-luxury First Class awards. The cheap economy awards rely on American Airlines’ off peak award pricing.