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Today I am flying from Honolulu to Los Angeles on a flight operated by American Airlines. I bought my ticket with 12,500 British Airways Avios and $11 as described in this Anatomy of an Award. I listed 12,500 Avios and $11 as one of the cheapest ways to get to Hawaii recently.

Yesterday at 2:50 PM, when I got the email to check in, I did so. My mobile boarding pass showed Priority AAccess, which means I can use the priority security line at the airport and board before general boarding.

I was surprised because I have no status with British Airways or American Airlines.

When I got to the airport, I printed a boarding pass, and it also said Priority AAccess. When I went to an agent to drop off my golf bag, I got another piece of good news.

“There’s an aisle seat available in an exit row. Would you like that?”

I sure would like a free upgrade to an exit row. She printed me out a new boarding pass with my extra-legroom seat and Priority AAccess:

Priority AAccess means I can use the security Gold Lane at HNL. Also pictured: the Priority Pass Select Membership (free with Amex Platinum) that gets me into two lounges at HNL.

So I’ll be enjoying my 12,500 Avios flight even more than I thought I would. Has anyone else redeemed Avios for an AA flight and been given Priority AAccess? I think this has to be a mistake, so I’m asking around.

It was a huge time saver at security–several flights to Asia leave at the same time as this flight to LAX–and I have my normal carry on plus a tennis bag, so I’ll be happy to snag bin space for everything with my priority boarding.

Did I just get lucky or has this happened to you?

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