Test drive a Cadillac, Earn 7,500 AAdvantage miles

Like test driving new cars? Like earning American AAdvantage miles for free? In what I can only describe as a very cool new promotion highlighting American Airline’s and Cadillac’s new partnership, existing AAdvantage members can sign up to test drive a Cadillac of their choice at their local dealership and earn 7,500 miles.

While exact details of this partnership are still being worked out, this is a very cool promotion. In some ways, American is playing catch-up, as United and Delta already transfer their ultra- elite members on tight connections at hub airports using luxury Mercedes Benz and Porsche cars respectively. American seems to be appealing to a broader audience- using an American car brand for the new “American” airline, as well as giving any advantage member a chance to test drive the Cadillac “experience.” This will appeal to a broader audience rather than just a select few ultra- elite members, and will generate more buzz for Cadillac, American, and their partnership.

I also think American’s move is smart, since giving any frequent flyer member a chance to earn points will definitely drive traffic (no pun intended) to Cadillac showrooms. I do see this being a very popular promotion, so once details are further announced, I would jump on scheduling a test drive before the promotion ends! American can’t give away AAdvantage miles indefinitely, and will most likely limit this promotion to a few months to drum up interest and for marketing purposes. After that, you’d have to fly a lot more as an elite member before you’ll earn AAdvantage miles for riding in a Cadillac, and those miles would only be for American flights and not the short Cadillac transfer between gates.