Members of American Airlines loyalty program Aadvantage can eventually redeem miles on the airline’s South American partner Jetsmart.
Chile-based airline Jetsmart has added dozens of new destinations to the map of South America and Aadvantage, including Andres Sabella Sabella Galvez International Airport (ANF), Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Cuz) and Governor Francisco Gabrielli International International Airport (Mdz) in Chile.
Aadvantage members earn miles and loyalty points on JETSMART flights starting September 2024. However, due to technical challenges, the redemption of mileage has been delayed.
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Chile-based Jetsmart CEO Estuardo Ortiz announced the long-awaited expansion of the airline partnership, including a loyalty redemption to LinkedIn.
“It’s more than just miles,” he wrote. “It’s about breaking the barriers and bringing people closer to the wonders of the continent we love.”
American and Jetsmart first announced their partnership in 2021. Low-cost airlines are a unique choice for full-service American. However, after a sudden break with long-term partner Latam Airlines in 2019, few other airlines compete with Jetsmart networks in South America outside of Brazil.
The deal includes the U.S. purchase of 35% Jetsmart, treating the plate as its own loyalty program. The move expands the program’s utility in South America, which has already had many members as the U.S. has long been the largest American airline in the region.
The United States also works with GOL in Brazil.
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Redemption was originally only available on Jetsmart’s website
Currently, the ability to book flights using Aadvantage Miles is currently limited. JETSMART flights are only booked on their own websites, not on US websites. This requires anyone to travel from Miami to Cusco to book two separate rewards bookings.
When you search for a one-way flight with points from Lima to Cusco on Friday, June 20, the US website shows an error page.
The same search on the JETSMART website returns multiple options, with flying redemption prices as low as 5200 miles, plus $19.61 in taxes and fees.
As in most cases, advertising reward redemption is the basic seat reservation option. Booking options, including more amenities such as priority boarding bags or inspection bags, require additional reservations.
A U.S. spokesperson said the feature of booking Jetsmart flights will provide points on U.S. websites in the “next weeks.”
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