Why Using a Different Miles Program Can Change Your Trip Rewards Value

Venice by Boat

Once you find the award ticket at the low rate you think you got it all. But if you don’t have the right frequent flyer program associated with the booking it can significantly decrease its value.

Back Story:

So about three weeks ago I redeemed 12,500 BA Avios points for EZE (Buenos Aires) JFK (New York City) one way  economy milesAAver award on American Airlines metal.

While completing the AA reservation it asks you to input your BA Avios Member number. While normally this wouldn’t be a big deal for me, this time it was.

My girlfriend is the passenger on this flight and last August she completed the AAdvantage Platinum challenge. Since this flight is on AA metal, having her Platinum status with AA be recognized increases the value of this low-level award.

As one of the perks of AA Platinum status is free access to Preferred Plus seating at the time of booking. Without access to Preferred Plus seating she was automatically seated in row 37, with it she moved to row 22. Now there are no extra amenities or goodies offered for different parts of economy but the quality of the seats locations are huge.

Another factor is the Boeing 777-200 configuration in economy class of 2-5-2. By having Platinum status she was able to avoid a seat in the dreaded middle row and also get her pick of an aisle or window in either “2″ row.

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