American Airlines Miles Can Now Be Redeemed For ‘Five Star Service’ (1¢ Per Mile)

American Airlines is now letting loyalty members redeem American Airlines miles for ‘Five Star Service‘. This is an optional extra for those flying in premium cabins and offers:

• Access to Flagship^® First Check-In and the Admirals Club^® lounge
• Priority boarding and re-accommodation status
• Car service coordination

Normally it costs $350 for the first person, $100 per additional adult and $50 per child (17 and under). When redeeming miles you’ll get 1¢ per mile (e.g first person will cost 35,000 miles, 10,000 per additional adult and 5,000 per child). Five Star Service is available in the following locations:

• U.S. Locations:
  • Austin (AUS)
  • Atlanta (ATL)
  • Boston (BOS)
  • Charlotte (CLT)
  • Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
  • Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW)
  • Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Miami (MIA)
  • Nashville (BNA)
  • New York Kennedy (JFK)
  • New York LaGuardia (LGA)
  • Newark (EWR)
  • Philadelphia (PHL)
  • Phoenix (PHX)
  • San Francisco (SFO)
  • Washington Reagan (DCA
• International Locations:
  • Buenos Aires (EZE)
  • London Heathrow (LHR)
  • Sao Paolo (GRU)
  • Tokyo (HND)

This seems like an expensive option and not a particularly good use of American Airline miles given the 1¢ per mile value. Given the current circumstances with some Admirals Club lounges I’m somewhat surprised that American Airlines has not temporarily reduced the cost.

Hat tip to xJonNYC