In what's probably the best thing to happen for mileage award travel, American Airlines has effectively made their awards ticket one-way tickets. With the new 'One-Way Flex Awards', an AA frequent flier can now book open jaw, one way, or circular tickets with their miles. Or even mix travel classes, for a business class outbound and coach return, for example.
Best thing is: The Flex Awards are actually exactly half the mileage cost of a return award ticket!
So, as an example I could book a ticket from London Heathrow to San Francisco International for 20,000 miles, another ticket from San Francisco to Chicago for just 12,500 miles, and return for another 20,000 miles to London again. Before, this wasn't possible and all award tickets had to be return only.
Now, let's hope other airlines follow suit so this becomes the industry standard. In my opinion, this is the first traveler-friendly move in the air travel industry since the credit crunch began.
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@Marc Thanks, I've used it multiple times since 2009 and it's still as easy, if not easier with the new site design. The United Airlines merger did add useful routes too.
Jack on 03 November, 2015