Earn Up to 30,000 Bonus American Miles for Europe Flights

After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.

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Bad news for the airlines often translates as good news for travel consumers.

That’s the case with travel to Europe, with the disruptive effects of Brexit and generally softer demand. La Compagnie recently announced its upcoming withdrawal from the U.S.-London route, and British Airways stepped up with a global Executive Club promotion that also awards miles for transatlantic flights on its oneworld partners, American, Finnair, and Iberia.

There’s blood in the water. Or if you’re a flyer, Champagne.

Whatever it is, American’s new promotion is more of the same.

Offer Details

Through December 11, AAdvantage members can earn up to 30,000 bonus miles for roundtrip flights between the U.S., Canada, or Mexico and Europe, on American, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, or OpenSkies, as follows:

15,000 miles for first class
10,000 miles for business class
5,000 miles for premium economy and full economy
2,000 miles for some discount economy fares

The bonuses may be earned up to two times, for two roundtrips, so there’s a maximum of 30,000 miles for two first-class flights, 20,000 for business, and so on.

Registration is required.

Deal or No Deal

As no doubt intended, this promotion varies from decidedly unrewarding, for cheaper tickets, to lucrative, for higher-priced tickets. And only select economy fares earn any bonus at all, so you’ll have to check the fare codes to confirm that your ticket is even bonus-eligible.

For leisure travelers flying on the cheapest available tickets, the bonus miles aren’t a game-changer. Choose the flight with the best price and most convenient schedule, and let the frequent-flyer miles fall where they may.

On the other hand, if your upcoming Europe trip calls for flights in business or first class, the bonus miles make a pretty compelling case for flying on one of the participating carriers.

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After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.

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