Big AAdvantage Bonus offer for First, Business and Select Economy Transatlantic Fares

Wow, this is the biggest AAdvantage Bonus offer of the year:

The More You Fly. The More You Earn. Fly round trip between the U.S. or Canada and Europe on First Class, Business Class or select Economy Class fares and start accumulating American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles. You will earn the bonus miles whether you fly on American Airlines, British Airways or Iberia.

On your third trip and on any subsequent trip, you will earn 50,000 bonus miles. There’s no limit to how many bonus miles you can earn. With all three airlines participating in this promotion, you’ll have three times the opportunity to earn bonus miles.

Offer Dates: September 25, 2012 through January 31, 2013

Promotion Code: AAEUR

Not all fares qualify for the bonus. To earn the extra miles you’ll need to purchase a ticket with one of these fare codes:

• First Class and Business Class fares booked in F, A, J, R, D or I
• Economy Class fares booked in Y, B or H on American Airlines operated flights
• First Class or Club World fares booked in F, A, J, R, C, D or I on British Airways operated flights
• World Traveller Plus or full-fare World Traveller booked in W, E, T, Y, B or H on British Airways operated flights
• Business Class fares booked in J, C, D, R or I; Economy Class fares booked in Y on Iberia operated flights.

I was curious about qualifying fares. The JFK to London route is one of the more competitive (if not the most competitive) transatlantic routes.

Here’s a look at qualifying economy class fares:

 

Here’s a look at the cheapest qualifying business class fares:

For mileage runners this is probably not a deal they’ll jump on, but if you’re planning a few transatlantic trips for business, this is a great incentive to book a flexible or business class ticket rather than look for the cheapest fare.

AA.com will show you the cheapest fares but not neciesarrly fares that book into a specific fare code. Using the ITA Software Matrix is a great to price out qualifying fares.

Copy and paste this text in the Advanced Routing Codes form field for qualifying First and Business Class fares:

AA+ / f bc=F|bc=A|bc=J|bc=R|bc=D|bc=I

 

To find a qualifying economy class fare, copy and these routing codes:

AA+ / f bc=Y|bc=B|bc=H

 

Once you find the fare and flights that you like, go to AA.com and place a reservation for the cheapest fare on the same flights, then call AA reservations and have them change your fare class and keep your ticket on hold.  Complete the purchase online to avoid the $25 ticketing fee.

Registration is required before you travel using promotion code AAEUR.  Go here for full details.