Tip: Using AAdvantage Miles To Fly Domestically In Australia
Tip: Using AAdvantage Miles To Fly Domestically In Australia
In my opinion, using AAdvantage miles for domestic/regional flights abroad is one of the best uses of AAdvantage miles, especially within Australia.
I booked my yearly trip to Australia a few weeks ago (before the devaluation was officially announced) and while I’m there I plan to hop between Sydney and Perth. I’ll be looking at PhD programs in the two cities.
Of course, driving was not really an option. Driving on the left side of the road will definitely put others in danger and I rather not get into an accident in a foreign country. Driving is also time consuming. Paying, in cash, for the above mentioned flights in Business (round-trip) would cost around $2,000 USD.
So, instead I used my American Airlines AAdvantage miles to fly domestically within Australia. Flights within Australia, Europe and parts of Africa are cheaper than flying domestically in the U.S. However, remember that British Airways and Iberia impose silly fuel surcharges to award flights, though the surcharge isn’t terrible within Europe.
There’s almost always some sort of availability on these flights too, even just a couple of weeks out.
I’m flying Business from Sydney to Perth and back Sydney. It’s about the same amount of time/distance as DCA-LAX.
The total for my Aussie domestic trip in business: 35,000 miles and $21 USD. With my AAdvantage credit card 10% rebate it ended up being 31,500 miles and $21 USD.
This is the second time I’ve used my miles domestically within Australia. Flying Qantas does not earn you enough EQMs or redeemable miles, especially after the recent oneworld/partner devaluation on earnings.
Have you used miles for these sorts of trips? Thoughts on their use?
Later today we will be giving away two one-time United Club passes!
