American Airline Awards Chart

Few would argue that the distance alone from Honolulu to London would be a good reason to finally redeem miles. But which class of service? It's always been a dream of mine to fly round-trip first class to Europe but I've always been overly cautious thinking that it would be a waste. For the same miles value I could fly at least twice in economy. But then again after a long tiring 10-hour flight, I can't help to admire the first class suites that I pass by from my economy seat.

Miles redemption has always been difficult from Honolulu. But this time rather than despairing over it further, it would cost 120,000 AAnytime miles for each way and it was a done deal. I have to mention that a round-trip economy ticket to London is roughly about $1,200-$1,600 roundtrip based on the best fares in July 2010.

For comparison, below is the current redemption chart for American Airlines. One creative way to use miles is to fly in one class of service one way and then another on the return. Fly first going and economy coming back or vice versa. It's your choice.

By the way as much as I tried, I could not find dates for a MilesSAAver Peak Award which would have reduced the miles redemption to 62,500 miles each way. These dates are few and more likely abundant more than six months prior to travel.

Also be warned about being a miles hoarder. Many passengers fail to redeem miles in a timely manner only to be subject to higher minimum miles when they do decide to travel.

ONE-WAY AWARDS ON AMERICAN AIRLINES, AMERICAN EAGLE AND AMERICANCONNECTION AWARDS MAY BE USED ONE WAY OR COMBINED FOR ROUND-TRIP OR MULTI-CITY TRAVEL
To / From	To / From	Award Type	Economy Class	Business/First Class*	First Class†
			Miles Required	Miles Required	Miles Required
Wholly Within Continental U.S.§/Canada		MileSAAver AAnytime	12,500 25,000	25,000 50,000	32,500 65,000
Within and Between the Continental U.S./Canada/Mexico/The Caribbean		MileSAAver Off-peak ----------- MileSAAver Peak ----------- AAnytime	12,500 17,500 35,000	30,000 60,000	40,000 80,000
Continental U.S.§/Canada/ Mexico/Caribbean**	Hawaii	MileSAAver Off-peak ----------- MileSAAver Peak ----------- AAnytime	17,500 22,500 45,000	37,500 75,000	47,500 95,000
North America§§	Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru or Venezuela	MileSAAver Off-peak ----------- MileSAAver Peak ----------- AAnytime	15,000 17,500 35,000	30,000 60,000	40,000 80,000
North America§§	Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile or Uruguay	MileSAAver Off-peak ----------- MileSAAver Peak ----------- AAnytime	20,000 30,000 60,000	50,000 100,000	62,500 125,000
Wholly Within South America (Valid only on AA flights wholly within South America)		MileSAAver  AAnytime	12,500 25,000	22,500 45,000	30,000 60,000
North America§§	Europe	MileSAAver Off-peak ----------- MileSAAver Peak ----------- AAnytime	20,000 30,000 60,000	50,000 100,000	62,500 125,000
North America§§	India	MileSAAver Peak ----------- AAnytime	45,000 90,000	67,500 135,000	90,000 180,000
North America§§	Japan	MileSAAver Off-peak ----------- MileSAAver Peak ----------- AAnytime	25,000 32,500 65,000	50,000 100,000	62,500 125,000
North America§§	China	MileSAAver Peak ----------- AAnytime	35,000 70,000	55,000 110,000	67,500 135,000
View Upgrade Awards View AAdvantage Partner Airline Travel Award Charts Off-peak dates: Hawaii: Jan. 12 - Mar. 8; Aug. 22 - Dec. 15 The Caribbean and Mexico: Sep. 7 - Nov. 14 Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela: Jan. 16 - Jun. 14; Sep. 7 - Nov. 14 Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay: Mar. 1 - May 31; Aug. 16 - Nov. 30 Europe: Oct. 15 - May 15 Japan: Oct. 1 - Apr. 30 * Valid for First Class on flights with two classes of service where applicable and Business Class on all other flights. † Valid for First Class on flight offering three classes of service. § Continental U.S. includes Alaska. ** Caribbean includes The Bahamas and Bermuda. §§ North America is defined as the U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, The Bahamas, and the Caribbean. AAdvantage award travel is subject to governmental regulations.