MMMondayMemo: AA European Stopover Hack

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MMMondayMemo: AA European Stopover Hack

Every Monday, MonkeyMiles sends out a Memo with a tip on how you can save time, money, and points. Many of you may already know the tips, but more and more new monkeys are flocking to this hobby every single day and knowledge is power. This Monday we are looking at what we like to call the AA European Stopover Hack. Essentially it allows a cheap stopover in Europe en route to the Middle East/ Indian Subcontinent by combining one way award tickets.

Here is the chart for AA metal to various locations. Highlighted to Europe

If you fly to Europe during off peak dates it will set you back just 22,500 AA one way. That’s a very good deal.

Screen Shot 2016-07-18 at 3.06.08 PM

 

AA Partner US to various locations: Middle East/Indian Subcontinent highlighted

If you fly to the Middle East or Indian Subcontinent in Main Cabin it will set you back just 40,000 AA one way. That’s a good deal too.

Screen Shot 2016-07-18 at 4.45.55 PM

Here is the AA partner metal chart from Europe to various locations: Middle East/Indian Subcontinent highlighted

Here’s where it can make a lot of sense to break up the trip. Now if you recall from above – during off peak travel it’s just 22,500 one way from US to Europe. Well, below you can see that it’s just 20,00 to fly from Europe to the Middle East or Indian Subcontinent. That means you can have a stopover in Europe for just a 2500 AA premium. Ordinarily AA would only allow a layover of 24 hours or less. Now, that is a great sweet spot!

Screen Shot 2016-07-18 at 3.07.11 PM

To Recap

  • US -> Europe = 22,500
  • US -> Middle East/Indian Subcontinent = 40,000
  • US – > Europe ( Stop ) then -> Middle East/Indian Subcontinent = 42,500

 

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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4 Comments

  • Ryan July 25, 2016

    How is this a hack… At all. It’s buying 2 award tickets and your paying a 2500 miles difference than if it were one. Not a heck at all.

    • Miles July 25, 2016

      AA doesn’t allow a stopover if you were to book as one ticket. So for 2500AA you can plan a stopover in Europe en route. Fly into London and out of Paris, etc. If you search the rest of their chart for similar deals…I don’t think you’ll find them. Pretty good way of seeing another part of the world and it only costing you 2500 miles.

  • Greg July 25, 2016

    does this work for going to Asia? Middle East/India not on my bucket list

    • Miles July 25, 2016

      Hey Greg, great question. You can still take advantage of the main cabin off peak to europe rate of 22,500 and you can still book 2 separate award tickets. However, the total price when booked separately will be 57,500 vs 32,00/35,000 if you booked straight to Asia from the US. The one advantage of this is that you can route through Europe with two separate tickets but not on one. AA won’t allow you to route to Asia through Europe because it violates their 3rd Region rule. They will however let you route to India/M.E. as they make an exception to the rule.

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