Members of American Airlines AAdvantage have a new option in South America via budget airline JetSmart.
AAdvantage members can earn miles — including tier Loyalty Points — on all flights operated by the Chilean discount airline. And, importantly, they can earn points on trips booked directly with JetSmart and unconnected to a flight on American Airlines.
Mileage redemptions on JetSmart will begin later this year, though the ability for American customers to earn miles and elite-status loyalty points on JetSmart flights is now live. Previously, AA customers earned miles for JetSmart flights only if for codeshare flights booked via American. Now, starting today, all JetSmart flights are eligible to earn miles. (Accrual chart below.)
“Together, the airlines are creating the broadest network in North and South America, offering more ways for customers to earn and use their miles,” American said in a statement. “The partnership enables American to strengthen and expand its South American network, uniquely providing customers with enhanced travel options and ultra-low fares.”
JetSmart flies an average of 87 daily flights to 28 cities across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Colombia, Cirium Diio schedules show. It connects with American primarily at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru; and Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, Chile.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier bought a 35.4% stake in JetSmart from owner Indigo Partners in late 2022 as part of a broader strategic partnership with the airline. American and JetSmart implemented a limited codeshare on certain flights in 2023.
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The tie-up came after longtime American partner LATAM severed ties with the U.S. carrier in 2020 in favor of an equity partnership and joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
As part of the American-JetSmart deal, the South American airline is adopting AAdvantage as its own loyalty program. JetSmart CEO Estuardo Ortiz said in March that he expects the move will mean “more passengers, [and] it’s higher yields” for his airline.
American executives have said that by adding JetSmart to AAdvantage, they will increase the utility of the loyalty program — already one of the world’s largest — to its many members in South America.
Gol Airlines in Brazil is also an American Airlines and AAdvantage partner.
It is not unheard of for an airline to adopt another carrier’s loyalty plan as its own. Finnair adopted Avios as its loyalty currency earlier this year, and Copa Airlines used United Airlines’ United MileagePlus as its loyalty program until 2015.
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