(EXPIRED) 5K awards widespread on American Airlines

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Drew at Travel is Free noted an interesting phenomenon he discovered that likely won’t last long: on most American Airlines domestic US routes, you can find at least some (and in some cases widespread) availability for 5,000 miles each way on domestic routes within the US. This likely won’t last.

a screenshot of a calendar
New York City to San Francisco in March 2020 for two passengers in economy class.

As I was searching, the site crashed on me a few times, so this may not last. If you have domestic travel in mind for 2020, it would be a good idea to check AA.com right now.

a plane flying over water

H/T: Travel is Free

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Brian

Got a decent PIT-PHX RT for 11000. Thanks for the heads up!

iahphx

These 5K awards are out there on a lot of routes. You will have to fly on an off-peak time, and to snag a nonstop to your destination, you’ll likely have to fly on a VERY off-peak flight. Sometimes you can pay 6 or 7,000 miles for a flight at a better time. The best way to find these nuggets is to use this AA website tool and pick an off peak day (a Tuesday is a good start) in the month that you’re interested in from your home airport. Then search for “Continental USA” limiting your search to, say, 8000 miles for a one way ticket. You can then try this for another off-peak day. Use that information to search more thoroughly on the routes that interest you.

https://www.aa.com/awardMap/home.do

Peter S

It looks like the 5k awards are awards with mostly long layovers. For example, I looked up LAX to ORD in July, 2020. There are many date available but all 5k awards are 1 stop itinerary with 4 to 6 hours layover.

Brian

it’s almost like UA’s award pricing. Same destination but I could fly WAAAY out of my way for LESS miles, or take a direct for far more….

Earl

So I guess you’re saying, this likely won’t last – right?

Captain Greg

Remind me: If I book an AA web special, do I have 24 hours to cancel without any charges and the points get returned to my account no questions asked?

Karl

Yes it’s US law.

Captain Greg

Thank you. I just didn’t know if there were weird exceptions for points redemptions.

iahphx

You can also “hold” the award reservation without obligation for even more days!